CPE Catalog & Events

**Hotel reservation link will be sent in your Conference Registration Confirmation email. Open to all CPAs, featuring a diverse range of hot topics to keep you informed and ahead in the field.All CPAs are invited to join the Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, and Texas CPA Societies for the Summer Education Conference in Gulf Shores, AL. Pack up the family and enjoy 4 hours of CPE each morning, with the rest of the day free to relax on the beach, kayak, or explore local attractions. It’s the perfect blend of vacation and professional growth, offering a unique chance to network with CPAs from across the SEC!Sunday, July 194:00 pm Conference Registration 6:00 - 7:30 pm   SEC Networking Reception Tailgate Show your school spirit by wearing your team colors and join us for a lively tailgate reception to kick off the conference! Network with fellow state societies, enjoy delicious food, and connect before the sessions begin. The reception is complimentary for registrants, with adult guests at $25 and children at $10. Please remember to rsvp and pre-pay for any reception guests before arriving in Gulf Shores to secure your spot.Monday, July 208:00 - 9:40 am  Professional Opportunities Update (Rise to the Future Together)Mark Koziel Join Mark Koziel, President & CEO of the AICPA and CEO of the Association of Certified Professional Accountants, as he looks to the future and provides an update on the challenges and opportunities facing the profession. Discover how the profession is rising to meet the moment and how the Association is working to empower innovation, leadership, and inspiration for the next generation of CPAs and CGMAs.9:40-10:00 Break10:00 - 11:40 amDo You Smell Something Burning? Dr. Angela White Bazile, Esq. • Judges & Lawyers Assistance Program, Inc. • Mandeville, LABurnout is a form of chronic stress that stems from prolonged workloads, tight deadlines, and intense pressure to maintain accuracy and compliance. It can result in mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion, and a reduced sense of personal effectiveness. The cyclical nature of peak seasons and the demand for precision can make it difficult for accountants to find work-life balance, contributing to long-term mental and emotional strain.Tuesday, July 218:00 - 11:40amTax Update Lisa McKinney, CPA • University of Alabama, Culverhouse School of Accountancy • Tuscaloosa, ALThis workshop will cover recent legislative, administrative, and judicial developments that affect tax compliance and consulting. CPAs from all levels can benefit from the workshop.Wednesday, July 228:00 - 9:40 amUpdate on AI for the Accounting Profession Paul M. Perry, FHFMA, CDPSE, CISM, CITP, CPA • Warren Averett • Birmingham, ALAs artificial intelligence quickly becomes part of our everyday lives, it brings with it more comprehension needs, risk, and capabilities.  IT almost requires a daily refresh on what was and what will become.  Simply, AI is a powerful tool and, at times, a crutch – but never a replacement for human judgment, context, or accountability. Participants will explore where AI adds real value (content creation, summarization, efficiency gains), where it creates new exposures (data leakage, false confidence, over reliance), and how accountants must apply professional skepticism, governance, and security controls to use AI safely. The session will explore every aspect of our professional life and the abilities that we can (and should) turn over to AI and those that should remain firmly human responsibilities.9:40-10:00 am Break10:00 - 11:40 amMergers and Acquisitions, Business Valuations Robert P. Gray, CPA, ABV, CFF, CGMA, CFE • Gray Schrupp & Associates • Dallas, TXThursday, July 238:00 - 11:40 amAccounting and Auditing Update Kurt Oestriecher, CPA • Oestriecher & Company • Alexandria, LAThis session will cover new standards issued by the FASB, Auditing Standards Board, and AICPA Accounting and Review Services Committee. Hot topics in peer review will also be covered, along with emerging issues in the accounting and auditing field.Friday, July 248:00-9:40Wall Street, Washington, and West Coast: An Economic UpdatStephen Morgan • Senior Vice President, Investment Director – Hancock Whitney Asset Management • New Orleans, LAPolicymakers are reshaping global trade and upending international relations as the U.S. Federal Reserve enters a new era. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence and other factors are rewriting labor force dynamics. We’ll examine the new economic and financial market landscape in light of these developments.9:40-10:00 am Break10:00 - 11:40The CPA as Connector: Adding Value Without Being the Forensic Expert Ralph A. Litolff, Jr., CPA/ABV/CFF, CVA, MBA • RAL Forensics, LLC • Metairie, LAForensic accounting is often treated as a single specialty, but it encompasses multiple distinct disciplines, each designed to address different client needs and situations. This session is designed for CPAs across all practice areas and focuses on helping attendees understand how forensic accounting differs from traditional CPA services and how to identify which type of forensic expertise best fits a client’s circumstances. The session emphasizes the CPA’s role as a trusted advisor and connector. Attendees will learn how to recognize when matters move beyond traditional CPA services, what information is helpful to gather early, and how to manage client expectations before a forensic specialist is engaged. The goal is for CPAs to leave feeling more confident adding value by connecting clients with the right forensic expertise at the right time. Learning ObjectivesUpon completion of this session, participants will be able to:•                    Identify major forensic accounting disciplines and their common use cases•                    Recognize client scenarios where forensic expertise may be appropriate•                    Understand how CPAs add value by serving as connectors  Important Note: Starting June 30th, a $200 cancellation fee will apply due to commitments with the hotel, catering, and event planning. We appreciate your understanding.