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WSCPA Membership Summit 2024: An Inspiring Opportunity to Connect with Fellow Members

July 23, 2024

by WSCPA

Select photos: © Shelly Oberman Photography

On June 12, the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, Washington, buzzed with excitement as the WSCPA hosted its highly anticipated 2024 Membership Summit. This exclusive, members-only event provided the nearly 300 attendees with a unique opportunity to earn eight free CPE credits while networking with like-minded peers and celebrating the accounting profession. The summit, designed to connect members, featured a robust agenda filled with educational sessions, discussions on the latest industry trends, and opportunities to collaborate and advance the accounting profession.

Event Highlights:

Annual Meeting: The summit kicked off with the Annual Meeting, where the board of directors for the fiscal year 2025 was introduced. This meeting set the stage for a day of learning and networking and included award winner recognitions. More than 270 members joined virtually to view the Annual Meeting and the morning sessions.

Professional Issues Update: Kimberly Scott, Marta Zaniewski, and Tom Neill discussed critical topics affecting the profession, including local legislative advancements, regulatory changes, and the groundbreaking work being done by the National Pipeline Advisory Group at the national level. Attendees gained invaluable insights and strategies to stay informed and contribute to the profession's future.  

“[I] appreciated hearing about up-to-date topics the industry is dealing with like the pipeline crisis,” said one Membership Summit attendee.

Federal Legislative Update: Mark Peterson, Executive Vice President of the AICPA, provided an overview of the latest federal legislative changes and anticipated reforms. His session equipped CPAs with the knowledge needed to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and stay ahead in their practice and advocacy efforts.

Asking Better Questions: Sports broadcasting veteran Jen Mueller shared her expertise on asking questions that showcase one's expertise and value. Her session focused on developing questions that lead to more honest responses, deeper connections, and successful outcomes.

Luncheon and Networking: Attendees enjoyed a networking luncheon, providing an opportunity to connect and share insights with peers and industry leaders in a relaxed setting. “It was great to be with other people!” said one attendee.  

Uncovering Widespread Schemes: Fraud Tactics Targeting Clients: Glenn Helms, an expert in forensic accounting and fraud examination, led a critical session on identifying and combating contemporary fraud schemes. Attendees learned about the latest fraud tactics and the steps needed to protect their practice and clients.

Roundtable Discussion for the Future of the CPA Profession: Participants engaged in facilitated discussions, providing feedback on key topics and trends affecting the CPA profession. These discussions allowed members to influence the direction and priorities of the WSCPA, building on the insights from the morning sessions.

Embracing the Future: Exploring AI's Role in the New Transformation Era: Jared Theis, Abhishek Sinha and Rachel Wagner-Kaiser discussed the transformative potential of AI technologies in accounting and finance. They touched on the benefits and risks associated with AI adoption, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations, data security, and maintaining human oversight.

Peak Performance: Strategies for Building Resilient Teams: Monette Anderson, WSCPA Vice President of Membership and Education, shared lessons in resilience inspired by a heartwarming Make-A-Wish story and her experiences with the Navy SEALs. Her session motivated attendees to build stronger community bonds and cultivate a culture of resilience and growth.

Networking Reception: The summit concluded with a networking reception, allowing attendees to reflect on the day's discussions, share insights, and forge new connections in a relaxed environment.

Those who attended the summit shared this feedback about the event:  

“[I found] a concentration of professional news, knowledge, and interaction with the same-minded people at the summit!” said Alla A.  

"Informative and inspiring sessions!" said David B.  

"Great program, fun and informative topics," shared Harold I.

Summit attendee Pat B. shared that the event had "terrific energy, pertinent information. [I’m] very hopeful for the future of CPAs.”

This article appears in the summer 2024 issue of the Washington CPA magazine. Read more here.