AICPA-CIMA Hot Topics Series 2025-2026

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, accounting professionals must lead with agility and foresight to drive meaningful change. This dynamic session brings together three industry experts to provide insights into the major trends reshaping the accounting profession and how CPAs can adapt to stay ahead.

Instructors: Barry Payne, Lisa Simpson, Piotr Glowacki

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future concept—it’s transforming the accounting and finance profession today. In this fast-paced 90-minute session, discover how AI-driven tools and strategies are revolutionizing workflows, improving decision-making, and driving business impact.

Instructors:
Don Tomoff, David Culley, Tommy Stephens

Don Tomoff CPA, MBA
Don is the founder of Invenio Advisors LLC, a consulting firm that excels in optimizing information management, enhancing process efficiency, and elevating reporting and data analysis capabilities. Additionally, the firm specializes in comprehensive education and training services. With a background that spans “Big 4” public accounting, and significant roles in senior-level industry finance, including an eight-year tenure as VP, Finance and Treasurer at Jo-Ann Stores, equips him with deep knowledge of industry insight and practical business perspective.

Since shifting focus in 2010, Don has dedicated himself to assisting executives and organizations in navigating the complexities of digital transformation, with a particular emphasis on process improvement, data analytics, and the development of knowledge management information strategies. His approach emphasizes pinpointing critical improvement areas and employing technology to drive significant advancements, marrying hands-on experience with strategic vision.

Beyond consulting, Don is a course developer and instructor with the Business Learning Institute, and has emerged as a leading voice on Excel, digital technologies, and the exciting frontiers of Generative AI and ChatGPT. Through sharing his knowledge via talks, workshops, and advisory roles, he has gained a reputation as an influencer in the tech-business nexus.

David Culley
David has a passion for professional education and development! For over 19 years he has enjoyed supporting people with their continuing professional development by designing and delivering highly interactive courses face-to-face and online.

David’s technical expertise in financial management, business strategy and technology is founded on his fellowships of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Institute of Leadership. This expertise is enhanced by his career as a business leader and continues to be nourished by research into how these fields are evolving in the modern business environment.
In recent years, David has developed an extensive range of courses to enable finance professionals and business leaders to engage effectively with Artificial Intelligence. These courses cover the very latest developments in this rapidly evolving field, and use real life case studies to demonstrate practical ways of harnessing this technology in the workplace.

Tommy Stephens, CPA
Tommy Stephens received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree (Major in Accounting) from Auburn University in 1985. In 1992, he earned a Master of Science degree (Major in Finance) from Georgia State University in Atlanta. Tommy is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Information Technology Professional, and Chartered Global Management Accountant.

During his professional career, Tommy has gained valuable experience in a variety of positions, including:

• Working as an auditor and technology consultant for an Atlanta-based public accounting firm;
• Leading an Internal Audit staff and managing a Cost Accounting team for a Fortune 500 company;
• Serving as a Chief Financial Officer for an international engineering organization; and
• Founding and managing his public accounting firm that provides accounting, tax, and consulting services to individuals and various small and emerging businesses.

In 1995, Tommy began authoring and presenting continuing professional education courses to accounting and finance professionals. He affiliated with K2 Enterprises in 2003 and joined the firm as a partner in 2007. Over the past thirty-nine years, Tommy has presented over 3,200 educational sessions to over 82,000 participants throughout the United States and Canada.

Tommy maintains professional memberships with the AICPA and the Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Additionally, he is a past member of the Institute of Internal Auditors.

Successfully leading change requires more than a great idea—it demands strategy, alignment, and execution. This session will provide practical frameworks and proven tactics to help you drive impactful change from initial vision to measurable results.

Instructors: Karl Ahlrichs, Jeff Nishwitz, Patrick Jeffs

Karl Ahlrichs, SHRM-SCP, CSP
Karl Ahlrichs specializes in helping professionals make order from chaos.

He is a national speaker, author, and consultant, presenting on the people issues in all industries with a focus on solving the talent shortage, and is often quoted in the local and national media.

Karl’s experience is ideally suited to times of organizational change as he pulls on risk management and organizational development theories to replace “best practices” with “next practices”. He owes much of his communications mastery to working as a writer and editor in daily media, to on-the-job writing experience and to the process of becoming a published author.

He has held senior level positions in multiple Professional Services firms, and was a founding partner of ExactHire, bringing his HR, operations, diversity & belonging, and learning & development skills with him.

Karl’s affinity for design, composition and learning started at a very young age, by taking and examining tens of thousands of boring photographs with the goal of improving his craft. He loves deploying that practice-to-improve approach with all manner of hobbies including writing haiku, mastering photography and learning Spanish. He wishes he had stuck with his guitar lessons in high school.

He was named the SHRM Human Resource Professional of the Year for the State of Indiana. He is on the Boards of several organizations, including the Maryland CPA Society. He has lived in Scotland and Spain and is passionate about exploring new experiences with his family and friends.

Jeff Nischwitz, JD
From successful large law firm partner to founder of his own entrepreneurial law firm, Jeff Nischwitz successfully built a client base while practicing law and building a law firm. Jeff has “walked the walk” as a large firm partner, as a solo practitioner, and as the founder and leader of an entrepreneurial business law firm, which provides him with a diverse and practical perspective on the business of professional services firms.

Jeff’s first book, Think Again! Innovative Approaches to the Business of Law (American Bar Association 2007) offers innovative and practical advice on building an exceptional law firm, including leadership essentials in the business of law, secrets of effective relationship selling, and strategies for building a client centric law firm.

“Jeff’s book (Think Again!) is the gold standard of how a firm should be managed and how lawyers should endeavor to promote their practice. I consider your book to be an invaluable resource for law firm managers.” Michael Foster, Jackson Kelly, PLLC

“This hot-off-the-press title is the best new book to be published on growing and running a law firm in several years. It’s insightful, comprehensive, and unusually well written. It’s a must read.” Bill Jawitz, Jawitz Legal Consulting

“In my view, if your firm only takes advantage of one new reference source or planning tool this year, this book is the one to select. It will encourage you to take a brutally honest look at what’s working and what’s not within your firm and to exercise your professional muscle to make change happen. … It’s one of the most valuable books I have read in my 20 plus years as a practice management consultant and coach. … The bottom line: ‘Think Again!’ is a thoughtfully written book by an experienced attorney who’s ‘been there, done that.’” Nancy Bylerly Jones, Lawyers USA June 2, 2008

Jeff’s second book – Unmask: Let Go of Who You’re “Supposed” to Be & Unleash Your True Leader (Motivational Press 2014) – is a road map for anyone’s journey of personal and professional leadership.

Jeff’s most recent book – Arrows of Truth: Simple Shifts for Personal Transformation (Eagle Heart Press 2017) – is your companion on your journey of life and leadership.

Jeff’s experience at the Vice President of Business Development for CBIZ, a national accounting and professional services firm, and his role as the Chief Growth Officer for another Cleveland law firm provides Jeff with a unique insider’s perspective on the legal and accounting profession.

Jeff Nischwitz is the Founder and of The Nischwitz Group (www.nischwitzgroup.com), a training, consulting and coaching company that helps professionals accelerate their results. Jeff works with professional services firms and their leaders in four core areas: business development training and coaching, team and leadership development, client experience, and firm succession planning and future leader development.

Jeff is also an international speaker on the topics of professional business development, team effectiveness and execution, building client centric law firms, transformational leadership and succession planning.

Jeff graduated from Ohio Northern University (B.S. Business Administration 1981, magna cum laude) and went on to graduate from The Ohio State University College of Law (J.D. 1984, magna cum laude).

Patrick Jeffs
Dr. Patrick Jeffs is a leading expert in resilience, leadership, and organizational well-being. As the founder and CEO of The Resiliency Solution, he equips individuals and organizations with science-backed tools to prevent burnout, enhance decision-making under pressure, and foster sustainable performance.

Previously, Dr. Jeffs co-founded and led the NC Center for Resiliency (NCCR), the first body-based trauma resilience clinic on the East Coast. In partnership with his wife, Kim Jeffs, he helped establish NCCR as a pioneering institution in trauma resilience, providing essential services to individuals and communities. The Resiliency Solution began as NCCR’s corporate training arm before evolving into an independent entity dedicated to leadership development.

Known for his dynamic and engaging approach, Dr. Jeffs integrates the latest in research, leadership psychology, and real-world applications to inspire and equip audiences with actionable strategies. Through the Resiliency Solution, he has worked with Fortune 500 companies, healthcare systems, government agencies, and first responders, helping leaders and teams build resilience and thrive in high-pressure environments.

In today’s complex financial landscape, preventing and detecting fraud requires vigilance, strategy, and the right tools. This session will equip you with practical techniques to identify red flags, mitigate risks, and build stronger safeguards to protect your organization’s integrity.

Instructors:
Kelly Richmond Pope, Sean Stein Smith

Kelly Pope, PhD, CPA
Dr. Kelly Richmond Pope is an educator, filmmaker, radio host, and entrepreneur. Pope is a Professor in the School of Accountancy and Management Information Systems at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois where she teaches managerial and forensic accounting.

Her research focuses on organizational misconduct, ethics, fraud, and compliance systems designed to confront these challenges.  Pope’s research on organizational misconduct culminated in directing and producing the award-winning documentary, All the Queen’s Horses, in 2017 which streamed on Netflix from July 2018-2019.  All the Queen’s Horses explores the largest municipal fraud in United States history and premiered as the #1 documentary on iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and Direct TV during its debut week on the video-on-demand platforms in April 2018.

In addition to teaching and filmmaking, Pope hosts a live weekly radio show entitled TRUE CRIME on WGN Radio where she explores everyday fraud schemes and cons. In 2018, Pope became a TED speaker with her impactful and timely TED Talk entitled ‘How whistle-blowers shape history.’

Pope is a globally recognized expert in fraud and forensic accounting and has advised the governments of Malaysia, Great Britain, and the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. She is also a certified public accountant in the State of North Carolina.

Sean Stein Smith, DBA, CPA, CGMA
Sean Stein Smith is an assistant professor at Lehman College (CUNY), a member of the AICPA Leadership Academy class of 2017, was named a 40 under 40 by CPA Practice Advisor in 2017 and 2018, and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Wall Street Blockchain Alliance. Sean regularly appears as an expert contributor on blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and other emerging technologies for China Global TV’s live business programming. He is a regular contributor to the official IBM Blockchain site – Blockchain Unleashed, where his research and analysis covers both blockchain applications for accounting and for business at large. Sean has led and presented numerous presentations on blockchain, as well as other emerging technologies, and the applications these technologies will have on the profession. His work and analysis of accounting, blockchain, emerging technologies, and the evolution of the accounting profession has been featured in dozens practitioner and academic publications, and numerous presentations Additionally, he is the author of numerous books focusing on accounting, technology, and how the profession will change moving forward. He has been interviewed by several media outlets discussing these topics, and can be reached at drseansteinsmith@gmail.com or @seansteinsmith.

In a world increasingly driven by artificial intelligence, the most effective leaders are those who amplify uniquely human qualities—empathy, emotional intelligence, and authentic connection. This session will explore how strengthening these human-centered skills empowers leaders to inspire teams, build trust, and drive lasting impact in the AI era.

Instructors: Ousmane Kabre, Alex Theis, Jon Lokhorst

Ousmane Kabre, CPA
Ousmane Kabre is a visionary entrepreneur, educator, and global change-maker recognized as one of the leading voices in reimagining access to education and youth leadership across Africa.

He is the Founder and CEO of Leading Change Africa and Yam Education, Inc., two mission-driven organizations transforming education and leadership development on a global scale. As CEO of Leading Change Africa, Ousmane has led the organization to surpass its 2030 goal five years early—impacting over 1,500 young Africans through scholarships, leadership training, and mentorship programs. The organization now aims to reach one million youth by 2050 through its innovative leadership pipeline model, designed to turn young people into agents of change in their communities.

Through Yam Education, Ousmane is bridging the education gap by partnering with accredited U.S. community colleges to offer associate degrees, diplomas, and certifications to students in Africa and underserved regions globally. His vision is transforming how international students access affordable, quality education, with a special focus on health care, business, and technology pathways.

Ousmane holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). In recognition of his impactful work, he was featured in the Wisconsin School of Business’s “8 to Watch Under 40” list, highlighting alumni making significant contributions in their industries.

A sought-after speaker on grit, resilience, leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation, Ousmane is a member of the National Speakers Association. His compelling personal story—from growing up in Burkina Faso to building global education ventures—has inspired audiences across the U.S., Africa, and beyond.

Alex Theis
Alex Theis helps people and organizations create a foundation for lasting improvement and success. With over 25 years of experience as an executive and leader, his seminars, workshops, and courses inspire people to break through barriers for both personal and professional growth.

His background includes working in the legal compliance field, leading large customer service teams, building dynamic sales and marketing departments, improving the overall customer experience, and increasing customer and client retention.

Alex’s innovative sales and marketing campaigns have created over $100 million in incremental revenue for his clients. His employee retention initiatives have reduced attrition dramatically and increased engagement and productivity measurably.

Alex uses his experience to teach proven strategies and simple, effective approaches that your organization can implement right away. He focuses on the core power skills needed to help your team stay competitive and engaged, including mindset and mental fitness, leadership, time management, stress management, creative problem solving, and stimulating imaginative sales and customer retention ideas.

Alex’s consultant business focuses on improving sales, culture, and retention. His podcast, Limitless, has been downloaded over six million times. He is also the author of four Amazon best-selling books, including Hiking the Timberline Trail: The Story of An Epic American Backpacking Trip. He is an avid backpacker and military dad.

Jon Lokhorst, CPA
Jon Lokhorst, CSP, CPA, PCC, is a leadership coach, corporate trainer, keynote speaker, and the author of Mission-Critical Leadership: How Smart Managers Lead Well in All Directions. He works with organizations to develop leaders everyone wants to follow, build teams no one wants to leave, and deliver exceptional results.

Jon’s background is well-suited to provide leadership training for CPAs and finance leaders, designed and facilitated by a CPA/finance leader. He is a frequent speaker for association events and has designed and/or facilitated several leadership academy programs. He’s also a regular contributor to association publications and blogs, including his Leadership Matters column for the Illinois CPA Society magazine, Insight.

Before launching Your Best Leadership LLC, Jon enjoyed a 30-plus-year career as a CPA, CFO, and organizational leader. He has a Master’s in Organizational Leadership and is recognized by the International Coach Federation as a Professional Certified Coach. He has also served as adjunct faculty in the School of Business and Nonprofit Management at North Park University.

Jon is a member of the National Speakers Association and is a past President of the Minnesota chapter. He has earned the Certified Speaking Professional™ (CSP®) designation, a distinction held by less than 20 percent of NSA members. On a personal note, Jon loves grandparenting and being “Papa” to his four adorable littles, as he calls them.

Effective communication is more than delivering information—it’s about creating meaningful connections that drive action. This session will provide strategies to craft clear, concise, and compelling messages that engage audiences, build trust, and inspire impactful decisions.

Instructors:
Annie Conderacci and Frank Ryan

Annie Conderacci
Annie is an expert change agent, strategist, and utility player. She has consulted for public, private, and non-profit clients, specializing in policy, organizational change, and technology. Her political and policy research clients include the Harvard Institute of Politics, Maryland Family Network, and Governor Wes Moore’s Transition Team. A Northwestern Kellogg MBA, Harvard Kennedy School MPA, and graduate of the world’s top improv comedy schools (Second City, iO, and The Annoyance) Annie integrates lessons from all three to deliver results while keeping her sense of humor.

Frank Ryan, CPA, CGMA, MBA
Frank Ryan is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a graduate of Mt. St. Mary’s College where he graduated Summa Cum Laude in 1973. He received his MBA from the University of Maryland in 1977. He served three terms as a member of the PA House of Representatives and retired in 2022.

Prior to his election, Frank Ryan’s practice included serving as an expert in corporate restructurings and management. His book called “Revolutionizing Accounting for Decision Making” was published in 2016 which focused on lean systems and process controls.

A retired Marine Reserve Colonel, he was recalled to active duty in December 2004 and served with Multi-National Force-Iraq until June 2005. Prior to his initial retirement in 2002, Frank served as the Central Command Special Operations Officer during Operation Enduring Freedom.

He believes strongly in volunteerism and public service. Frank’s volunteerism is not relegated to meeting rooms. He walked 2806 miles across America in 2014 to raise awareness of the needs of children with emotional and behavior issues and for developmentally disabled children. He has written a book called “Life Lessons Learned – Amazing Stories of my Walk Across America for Children”.

His personal military decorations include three Legions of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal and the U. S. Army Commendation Medal. He is the extremely proud father of four wonderful children, and nine super grandchildren and his beautiful partner and wife, Sherrie.