Unlock insights that drive change
- Harness AI for smarter decision-making
- Navigate tax & regulatory shifts with confidence
- Strengthen leadership & HR practices
- Implement Quality Management Standards for lasting impact
Step into a space designed for discovery
- Connect with sponsors, partners, and exhibitors through engaging experiences
- Build relationships that open new doors while having a little (or a lot) of fun along the way
One session. One connection. Are you ready to experience the Elevate effect?
A small shift can lead to a major transformation. One session, one connection, one insight, that’s the difference between keeping pace and leading the way. CPAs across Michigan are gathering to tackle big challenges, explore bold solutions, and problem-solve together in real time. The event that changes everything is coming– are you ready for it?
Looking for extra flexibility? You can attend the program online instead. Details for the virtual option can be found here .
OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS
Special room rates are available at
the Hyatt Place
Detroi/Novi . Please call 248-513-4111 and mention the group name MICPA
Elevate 2025 to receive our discounted pricing. The cutoff date to make a
reservation at our discounted price is May 24, 2025.
PRICING
DETAILS
Register early to
take advantage of the best price! Please note, discounted pricing is already
reflected in the online price. No promo code is needed.
Through May 21: $210
MICPA Members/ $360 Non-Members
May 22 - June 4: $230 MICPA Members/ $380
Non-Members
June 5 - June 18: $250 MICPA Members/ $400
Non-Members
Alliance Partner:
 |
Champion Partners:
 |  |
 |
Program Sponsors:
.jpg?sfvrsn=f72d071e_2){kind=logo} |  |
Supporting Sponsor:
 |
Photo Booth Sponsor: .png?sfvrsn=775c2524_2){kind=logo} | Networking Reception Sponsor: |
Exhibitors:
|
|
All CPAs
- Accounting
- Computer Software and Applications
- Management Services
- Personal Development
- Regulatory Ethics
- Taxes
- Multiple Speakers
After registering for this event, you can customize your sessions via 'My Registrations'
Tech Stack: Building Your Best-in-Class
Practice
Technology can make or
break a modern accounting practice. Firms stuck with fragmented systems struggle
with inefficiency while their competitors deliver seamless CFO insights using
integrated tech stacks. This session cuts through the confusion to reveal
exactly which tools create the automation, clarity, and client experience that
transform standard firms into sought-after Amy Vetter, CPA, CGMA, RYT
500, CSP – CEO, The B³ Method Institute, Cincinnati, OH
09:05 AM - 09:55 AM
A SALTy Retrospective
Review the
latest SALT update and examine the ongoing, and potential upcoming, SALT cases
from states across the nation! Learn how potential changes at the Federal level
related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act may impact taxation at the State
level.
Jordan Goodman – Partner, Kilpatrick Townsend &
Stockton LLP, Chicago, IL
Intellectual Property (IP) is an often-overlooked asset among business owners and executives, which can leave an organization’s unique services or brand exposed to theft, imitation, and infringement. A failure to understand the importance of IP may also lead to costly consequences. Learn about the different forms of IP and explore some IP mistakes made among organizations, their consequences, and tips for avoiding them altogether.
Alozie Etufugh, JD – Managing Partner, Law Offices of Alozie N. Etufugh, PLLC, New York, NY
Despite ongoing prevention efforts, material financial fraud schemes remain a major threat. Consider key studies and findings on high-risk financial statement accounts, common red flags and perpetrator characteristics. Then, review several broad preventative and detective internal control concepts that assist in decreasing an entity's risk of fraud.
Glenn Helms, PhD, CPA – Greensboro, NC
10:25 AM - 11:15 AM
Modern Personalized Investments for
Retirement
As new technology reshapes our lives at an unprecedented
rate, your approach to investing needs to keep pace. As a fiduciary, you're in
charge of leveraging this technology to impact participant outcomes. Are you up
to date with the latest trends in personalization and
investing?
Brian Raymond, AIF, CMFC – Chief Investment
Officer, Sentinel Group, Troy
How can businesses, especially manufacturers, leverage federal and Michigan R&D tax credits alongside renewable energy incentives to fuel innovation and sustainability? We highlight Michigan’s newly reinstated R&D credit, compare it with federal programs, and explore how to integrate these incentives into a cohesive tax strategy for both financial returns and environmental impact.
Randy Crabtree, CPA – Co-Founder, Partner, Tri-Meritt LLC, Arlington Heights, IL
Phill Williams – Partner, Tri-Meritt LLC, Arlington Heights, IL
11:25 AM - 12:15 PM
Analytical procedures and inquiries are the primary procedures used to obtain review evidence in a SSARs AR-C Section 90 review engagement. Discuss the AICPA Practice Aid and how it can help you design your analytical procedures, especially with the important concepts of forming expectations and considering the precision of the expectations. These concepts contribute significantly to analytical procedures that provide a greater level of assurance in a scalable and efficient manner. The same concepts can be used in designing substantive analytical procedures in an audit engagement, so this session can help anyone who performs assurance engagements.
Michael Manspeaker, CPA, CGMA – Consultant, Assurance and Advisory, SEK, CPAs & Advisors, Hagerstown, MD
Change is coming to estate planning as policies enacted under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are set to expire on Jan. 1, 2026. Review the current thresholds for the federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax exemption and explore strategies for addressing their expiration ahead of time.
Neal Nusholtz – Attorney, Kemp Klein Law Firm, Troy
What’s the “Deal” With AI?
If
artificial intelligence and other technological advances can make business
functions more efficient, accurate, fast and creative, then imagine how those
tools can transform the art of the deal. Analyze the potential application of AI
tools to the deal space, including how to leverage it for marketing, analysis
and, crucially, closing better deals.
Jamar Cobb-Denard,
J.D. – Business Broker, Indiana Business Advisors, Indianapolis,
IN
01:05 PM - 01:55 PM
Leaders in corporate finance are contending with a variety of fresh concerns in 2025, from ongoing economic unpredictability to compliance with government regulations. Explore the strategies finance executives are employing to assess company performance and mitigate risk with our cross-industry panel of professionals.
Lisa A. Fisher, CPA – Manager-Treasury & Tax Accounting, Daimler Truck North America, Redford
Lorene N. Suidan, CPA – Chief Financial Officer, Leader Dogs for the Blind, Rochester Hills
Regan C. Thorpe, CPA – Site Controller, Bell's Brewery, Galesburg
Moderator: George Salloum, CPA – Elevate Corporate Advisors, LLC, Livonia
Any accounting firm that provides audit, compilations, agreed-upon procedures, attest examinations and financial statement or attest review engagements are subject to the AICPA’s new quality management (QM) standards. Compare the old QM standards to the new requirements and determine effective strategies for implementation ahead of their effective date on Dec. 15, 2025.
Duane M. Reyhl, CPA, CGMA – Audit and Accounting Partner, AHP, Midland
Tax policy is always changing, but 2025 is positioned to be among the most active years in recent history. Review all the latest changes to federal individual and business tax policy, including IRS procedures, payroll, current tax court cases, incoming legislation and more. Plus, learn techniques for quickly and efficiently implementing new standards as they arise.
Allison McLeod, LL.M., CPA – Allison M McLeod, LL.M., CPA A PLLC, Denton, TX
02:05 PM - 02:55 PM
Explore matters such as qualified CPE, firm licensure requirements, prohibited conduct and more. We guide you on a deep dive into Michigan’s accountancy law and administrative rules to help you steer clear of any violations. Explore case studies and ask the experts your questions about licensure and compliance with Michigan’s accountancy act.
Bob Doyle – President & CEO, Michigan Associations of CPAs, Troy
Recent studies conducted by Gallop indicate that employee engagement with compliance remains a long way from pre-pandemic heights. Disengaged employees can view compliance as a burden or, worse, become careless. Explore the expensive risks disengagement presents for organizations, including the cost of human resources noncompliance, turnover, productivity and employee satisfaction.
Sherell Wiggins, MBA – Principal Consultant, Wiggins HR Consulting, LLC, Metro Detroit Area
Tax policy is always changing, but 2025 is positioned to be among the most active years in recent history. Review all the latest changes to federal individual and business tax policy, including IRS procedures, payroll, current tax court cases, incoming legislation and more. Plus, learn techniques for quickly and efficiently implementing new standards as they arise.
Allison McLeod, LL.M., CPA – Allison M McLeod, LL.M., CPA A PLLC, Denton, TX
03:25 PM - 04:15 PM
Beyond the Ledger: Building a Stronger Team
Through Effective Communication
Can something as simple as a
personality test eliminate conflict from the workplace? No, but it can make
navigating those conflicts less daunting and more productive. Become familiar
with the DiSC behavioral framework and understand how adapting communication to
different personalities leads to better outcomes in workplace conflicts and
other high-stakes situations.
George Copeland – Founder and
CEO, GMC Consulting, Saginaw
How Accounting Ethics Account for
AI
As artificial intelligence reshapes the accounting profession,
maintaining ethical standards, accountability and public trust is essential.
Discuss the most effective uses of AI as well as potential ethical implications
of its deployment to the financial function. Plus, explore potential regulatory
action by the SEC and IRS, and determine best AI practices and monitoring
strategies.
Dorothy J. Danko, CPA, MBA – Accounting
Instructor & Accounting Internship Coordinator, Grand Valley State
University Seidman College of Business, Grand Rapids
Risky Business: Insufficient Risk
Assessment
Risk assessment continues to be an area of growing
concern among regulating bodies as frequently changing standards often lead to
lagging procedure updates among firms and, ultimately, ongoing deficiencies.
Review the common risk assessment errors, including the role of client internal
controls, determining audit plan risks and the importance of re-performance.
Heather A. Funsch, CPA – Director of Professional Standards, Rehmann, Saginaw
Julie B. Killian, CPA– Principal, Rehmann,
Troy
05:15 PM - 05:25 PM
05:25 PM - 06:15 PM
Member
Non-Member