Professional Development and Event Catalog

You and your team are invited to join us for our Fairfield County ABC (Attorneys, Bankers, and CPAs) Event, a premier evening of networking, camaraderie, and making connections across these three vital professions. We’ll be joined by co-hosts Cummings & Lockwood LLC and M&T Bank. This event would not be possible without their support. Registration includes appetizers, passed hors d’oeuvres, and one beer/wine ticket. Please remember to bring your business cards, digital contact card, or a QR code to your LinkedIn or other profile. Bring your team for a discounted rate.Purchase a discounted package of 5 tickets for $180 (one ticket free) – Please contact Ashley Spring at ashleys@ctcpas.org or 860-258-0215.

Please join us for our next Not-for-Profit Organizations Group meeting on Tuesday, October 29, where we will discuss topics and potential speakers for our June 2025 Not-for-Profit Organizations Conference.  Attendees include those who work in the not-for-profit field and those who have not-for-profit clients.  We welcome those with an interest no matter career stage or expertise.  A detailed agenda will be sent out prior to the meeting date.

All small firm owners, partners, and principals are invited to join us for our virtual Small Firm Roundtable meetings on the last Wednesday of January, April, July, and October. CTCPA Executive Director and CEO Bonnie Stewart will lead open discussion on topics of importance to small firms.

This month we'll talk about Security First: Stay ahead with security education and training and the latest changes in Office 365 Keep in mind, this is an open forum - we never limit discussion to just one topic so if you have other technology questions bring them to the table. Please note, pre-registration is required. To access the meeting, use your online account, go to MY CTCPA, My Professional Development, My Upcoming Courses.  Bring your coffee, your ideas to share, and join us for what is always a lively discussion! We've got experts on board who can help you with cybersecurity, client portals, accounting software, and more. TechConneCT attendance is free and open only to CTCPA members in good standing. No CPE will be given but you get free answers and valuable guidance. Hosted by the CTCPA Technology Committee.

Joseph Reeves, CPA, CEO and Founder of Universal CPA Review, will present an update on the new CPA Exam and talk about ways to successfully navigate your way to passing.  Joey worked in public accounting until founding Universal CPA.  Universal is the only CPA review course that is designed for visual learners. Universal CPA Review offers a unique and refreshing approach to studying for the CPA exam. Along with the New Exam presentation, this event will feature a Q&A Panel including accounting professionals who have gone through the exam process offering insight into the experience.

Join us as CTCPA brings members an opportunity to meet directly with DRS staff to talk taxes.  The evening will include open dinner discussions with DRS Commissioner and DRS representatives at each table. Agenda:5:30 p.m. - Check-in and Cocktails (Cash Bar)6:30 p.m. - Dinner and Table Discussions led by DRS When registering, please choose an entree in the Event Options section and topic for your table top discussions in the Breakout section.  

The session will focus on addressing the ongoing shortage of accountants and explore alternative solutions to outsourcing. Specifically, it will delve into the Miles STEM Pathway, a unique program that enables international accountants to work in the US for three years without requiring visa sponsorship.  The accounting profession is facing a significant shortage of qualified professionals, posing challenges for public accounting firms across the United States. Traditional solutions such as outsourcing have limitations, prompting the need to explore innovative alternatives. In this session, we will discuss the Miles STEM Pathway, which offers a strategic approach to address the accountant shortage by facilitating the onshoring of international talent. Participants will gain insights into the program's structure, benefits, and how it can effectively augment their workforce without the complexities of visa sponsorship. Through case studies and practical examples, attendees will understand the practical implications of leveraging the Miles STEM Pathway to meet their staffing needs and drive business growth. 3 Key takeaways from the session:1. Understanding the current challenges and implications of the accounting pipeline shortage in the US.2. Exploring the concept of onshoring and its role in mitigating staffing challenges for public accounting firms.3. Insights into the Miles STEM Pathway program and its potential to provide a sustainable solution for addressing the accountant shortage.

With the election in the rearview mirror, it's time to look toward the future. What does the composition of the Connecticut House and Senate mean for businesses, and what might be the hot issues during the upcoming legislative session? We're turning to the expert: CTCPA Contract Lobbyist Dallas Dodge.  Get the inside scoop from Dallas, Managing Partner at lobbying firm Roy & Leroy and a former high-level attorney for House leadership, Dallas is the Managing Partner of Roy & Leroy.

Premier Members have exclusive access to inside scoop from CTCPA Executive Director Bonnie Stewart! Pour yourself a cup of coffee and fire up your computer to connect with Bonnie and hear what's happening in the profession and at the CTCPA. These meetings are exclusively for CTCPA Premier Members. Become a Premier Member today!

Back by popular demand, Executive Director and CEO Bonnie Stewart will be hosting Regional Meetings to keep you informed and to hear from you, our members – in your backyard. Join us for a professional issues update including (but not limited to): Licensure, Mobility, AICPA’s Quality Control Standards going into effect in 2025, Expected issues and changes during the legislative session, including AI, tax changes, licensing fees, … and more.  Bring your questions and ideas – a number of new CTCPA initiatives have been born out of suggestions from Regional Meetings.  As seating is limited, you MUST pre-register. 

The Employee Benefit Plans Committee monitors developments in the employee benefit plans arena. Friendly, interactive meetings include roundtable discussion of changes affecting plans, auditors, and employers. The group features diversified professionals e.g., auditors, actuaries, third party administrators, and attorneys, engaged in the EBP area. Outreach to the broader membership includes an annual networking social and sponsoring of an annual Employee Benefit Plans Conference. Agenda topics will be provided prior to the meeting.  This will be a virtual meeting via Zoom meetings.

Firms of all sizes who perform engagements will be impacted by the AICPA’s new Quality Management Standards, effective December 2025. A representative from the AICPA joins Bonnie to talk about the big changes – and how you should be preparing now to comply.

Join us for our 6th annual awards program celebrating exceptional female CPAs and recognizing the many contributions these professionals are making in Connecticut. Program Schedule: 7:30 a.m. - 8:15 a.m. Registration & Networking 8:15 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Breakfast 9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Welcome/Opening Remarks  9:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Keynote Speaker 9:45 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Awards Presentation 

The Employee Benefit Plans Committee monitors developments in the employee benefit plans arena. Friendly, interactive meetings include roundtable discussion of changes affecting plans, auditors, and employers. The group features diversified professionals e.g., auditors, actuaries, third party administrators, and attorneys, engaged in the EBP area. Outreach to the broader membership includes an annual networking social and sponsoring of an annual Employee Benefit Plans Conference. Agenda topics will be provided prior to the meeting.  This will be a virtual meeting via Zoom meetings.

The Governmental Accounting and Auditing Committee meets to discuss developments, new regulations, and compliance issues in the field of governmental accounting and auditing. Group members include both public sector finance professionals and those who serve them in public accounting. Members also plan the annual CTCPA Governmental Accounting and Auditing Conference held every spring.  Agenda will be sent one week prior to the meeting date.This will be a virtual meeting via Zoom meetings.

The CTCPA State Taxation Committee is the community for navigating the political, regulatory, legislative, and judicial details of Connecticut tax compliance. Members build relationships with other CPAs, the DRS Commissioner, and senior DRS staff at annual dinner meetings and other events.  

This month's topic is Tax Season Tactics: What are you trying that is new this tax season? Share your innovations and let us help you troubleshoot any software or process snags. Peer to peer discussions at it's best! Keep in mind, this is an open forum - we never limit discussion to just one topic so if you have other technology questions bring them to the table. Please note, pre-registration is required. To access the meeting, use your online account, go to MY CTCPA, My Professional Development, My Upcoming Courses.  Bring your coffee, your ideas to share, and join us for what is always a lively discussion! We've got experts on board who can help you with cybersecurity, client portals, accounting software, and more. TechConneCT attendance is free and open only to CTCPA members in good standing. No CPE will be given but you get free answers and valuable guidance. Hosted by the CTCPA Technology Committee.

The Governmental Accounting and Auditing Committee meets to discuss developments, new regulations, and compliance issues in the field of governmental accounting and auditing. Group members include both public sector finance professionals and those who serve them in public accounting. Members also plan the annual CTCPA Governmental Accounting and Auditing Conference held every spring.  Agenda will be sent one week prior to the meeting date.This will be a virtual meeting via Zoom meetings.

The CTCPA State Taxation Committee is the community for navigating the political, regulatory, legislative, and judicial details of Connecticut tax compliance. Members build relationships with other CPAs, the DRS Commissioner, and senior DRS staff at annual dinner meetings and other events.  

Time to talk post tax season. We'll have Tax Talk: Reflecting on the Good, Bad, & Ugly of this tax season. Let’s discuss what worked, what didn’t, and future improvements. This is an annual favorite! Keep in mind, this is an open forum - we never limit discussion to just one topic so if you have other technology questions bring them to the table. Please note, pre-registration is required. To access the meeting, use your online account, go to MY CTCPA, My Professional Development, My Upcoming Courses.  Bring your coffee, your ideas to share, and join us for what is always a lively discussion! We've got experts on board who can help you with cybersecurity, client portals, accounting software, and more. TechConneCT attendance is free and open only to CTCPA members in good standing. No CPE will be given but you get free answers and valuable guidance. Hosted by the CTCPA Technology Committee.