4 cutting-edge accounting conferences to attend this year

Attending conferences is the ideal way to stay connected, keep your skills fresh, stay abreast to trends and hear from the movers and shakers in the industry. (Gremlin/Getty Images)

Every year, CPA Canada holds or partners with other organizations on conferences that dive into the unique challenges that CPAs in all spheres and sectors face—and the opportunities that are shaping up on the horizon.

Whether you’re looking to expand your network, learn directly from the experts, sharpen your skills or explore emerging trends in your field, you’ll find an event that fits the bill. Here are four of our top upcoming events.

1) THE ONE NATIONAL CONFERENCE

The ONE National Conference is an unforgettable, must-attend event that draws more than 1,000 CPAs from around the country. Not only does it offer leading-edge content, but it has a convenient format that lets you earn CPD hours and customize your learning in five streams: leadership, technology, audit, advisory and reporting, organizational performance and sustainability, and tax. 

This year, for the first time, The ONE is being held in Montreal, Que., with French-only and English-only sessions, as well as bilingual sessions (simultaneous translation on-site). The focus will be on the theme of “Innovation for sustainability”. 

Featured keynote speakers include Andrew Keen, one of the world’s best-known and most controversial commentators on the digital revolution; Chitra Anand, an award-winning communications and marketing executive who is at the forefront of an important new movement in the workplace called “intrapreneurship”; and Jennifer Gervès-Keen, a corporate executive coach and founder of JGK Consulting. Keen will explain how to spark new ideas in your organization by breaking down the silos and getting people to coach each other.

Where: Palais des Congrès, Montreal, Que.
When: Sept. 23-24, 2019 (optional workshops Sept. 22 and 25)
Pricing: Starting at $1,095

2) PUBLIC SECTOR CONFERENCE 2019

For senior financial professionals working in the public sector, this annual event in the nation’s capital is a perfect chance to stay up to date on emerging professional trends.

Focusing on the theme of “Lead. Innovate. Connect.”, this year’s conference agenda promises forward-trending ideas, best practices and thought leadership, along with the regular technical and regulatory updates. 

Featured keynote speakers include Max Valiquette, an innovation, transformation and marketing expert, who is currently the chief strategy officer at Diamond Integrated Marketing, and Heath Slawner, an expert on trust-based leadership, influence and performance.

Can’t make it to Ottawa? You can still attend—virtually. All you need is a desktop computer, laptop or tablet—and high-speed internet, of course.

Where: Shaw Centre, Ottawa, Ont.
When: Oct. 28-29, 2019 (Optional post-conference workshops on Oct. 30)
Pricing: In-person $1,095; virtual $895; workshop $395

3) AICPA WOMEN’S GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT 2019

If you’re looking for a good opportunity to re-examine your goals and ambitions, this event could be the ticket. Jointly presented by CPA Canada and the AICPA Women’s Initiative Executive Committee, in collaboration with the American Woman’s Society of Certified Public Accountants (AWSCPA), the summit is an opportunity to gain new insights and learn directly from other successful professional women.

The sessions and workshops offer a variety of perspectives from female finance leaders in firms, business and industry, not for profits, academia and government. Subjects range from leadership to negotiation skills, entrepreneurship, talent retention and development. 

This year, the summit will be held in San Diego—but, as always, it will draw participants from far and wide. It’s the perfect chance to interact directly with thought leaders and spend dedicated networking time with your professional community.

Where: InterContinental San Diego, San Diego, Calif.
When: Nov. 6-8, 2019
Pricing: Starting at US$995 (early bird pricing valid until Sept. 23). CPA Canada members benefit from AICPA member pricing—enter registration code CPACANADA at checkout.

4) MASTERING MONEY CONFERENCE

This special conference, organized by CPA Canada’s award-winning Financial Literacy Program, looks at the trends that are reshaping our economic landscape and how they will affect how Canadians manage their money.

This year, the focus will be on the theme of “Building resilience in volatile economies.” Thought leaders and industry experts from across Canada will look at topics such as planning for the future/retirement, vulnerable populations (fixed income, low income, gig/contract work), why we should/need to care about what’s happening internationally (trade, war, government instability), what the next recession will look like and financial stressors and life events. 

The event will also feature keynote speakers, including Wendy De La Rosa, co-founder of Common Cents Lab and a behavioural scientist at Stanford University, who will explain how CPAs can use some of the lessons of behavioural science to help their clients become more financially savvy.

Where: Delta Hotels Ottawa City Centre, Ottawa, Ont.
When: Nov. 7-8, 2019
Pricing: Starting at $400 [Early bird offer until Aug. 31: Member: $360; Non-member: $395]

WANT TO COMPLETE YOUR CPD REQUIREMENTS EARLY THIS YEAR? 

Register now to take advantage of these diverse online learning options and explore other products in CPA Canada’s continuing education portfolio. And be sure to check out our full conference lineup for 2019-2020.