Business & Industry Spring Conference
7.70 Credits
Member Price $379.00
Non-Member Price $479.00
Overview
Your Source For Key Updates & Insights on Timely Issues
Attend this year's Business & Industry Spring Conference to hear from prominent leaders and experts about the latest updates and insights on the post-pandemic normalization of economic and market trends, navigating business exits, the underutilized capabilities of Excel, employment law changes, practical AI tools for decision-makers, GAAP alternatives, best practices for cash management, the power of culture in the workplace, ethical conflict resolution, and more.
Audience
CPAs, CEOs, CFOs, controllers, directors, managers, HR professionals and accounting staff will benefit greatly by attending.
Overnight Accommodations
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hilton Garden Inn in Brookfield (next to the Brookfield Conference Center) for the night of Monday, March 23, with a room rate of $136 (plus tax). To reserve a room in the block, please book online at bit.ly/2026-BISC by March 1.
Online Option
For those unable to attend the conference in person, another option is available! This year's Business & Industry Spring Conference will be streamed live, including all of the general sessions and the most popular breakout session! The registration page and more details for attending via WICPA CPE Livestream is available here.
Registration Changes
We are excited to provide the convenience of offering both in-person and livestream options for attending our conferences. However, if a registrant wishes to change from in-person to livestream attendance 14 days or less prior to a conference, the WICPA CPE Department must be contacted to make the change and a $25 fee will apply. For Cancellation Policy details, please see the registration form or visit the CPE Requirements & FAQs page.
Mar 24, 2026
General Session
- Registration & Networking
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Welcome & Opening Remarks
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Economic & Market Trends: Post-Pandemic Normalization
Jeffrey Allsop, Chief Investment Officer, Capital Investment Services of America, Inc.
Explore the economic and market post-pandemic landscape through a series of important charts. This session will review inflationary forces, fiscal policy observations, employment trends, housing and interest rates. By the end, you will know how to frame the current structure of the stock market by examining valuation and earnings.
This session is available to registrants only.
Breakout Session
- Advanced Excel: Hidden Secrets & Gems
Chris Harper, Associate Professor of Accounting, Siedman College of Business Grand Valley State University
Dive into the powerful – yet often underutilized – capabilities of Microsoft Excel. Designed for sophisticated users willing to approach spreadsheets from a unique perspective, this session encourages you to challenge the status quo by taking ordinary spreadsheets to the next level.
This session is available to registrants only.
- Preparing for the Next Chapter: Navigating Business Exits, ESOPs & Ownership Transitions in Wisconsin
Erik Owen, President/Founder, Oak Hill Business Partners
Keith Jochims, CFO, QPS Employment Group
Jason Glisczynski, CEO, Principal Advisor, Silvertree, LLC.Jason Glisczynski
(Short version) About the presenter: Jason Glisczynski, CPWA®, CFP®, is Co-Founder, Private Wealth Advisor and Managing Partner at Silvertree, specializing in advanced planning strategies for executives and business owners in manufacturing. With over 20 years of experience and a deep commitment to empowering financial leaders, Jason brings proven strategies to optimize efficiency, reduce burnout, and help organizations achieve lasting financial clarity and impact. (Long version) About the presenter: Jason Glisczynski, CPWA®, CFP®, is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Silvertree, a private wealth advisory firm focused on delivering clarity, confidence, and tax-efficient strategies to executives and business owners in manufacturing. With over two decades of experience across financial planning, tax mitigation, and strategic advisory, Jason specializes in helping senior financial leaders—particularly in manufacturing and professional services—solve complex challenges that go beyond the numbers. A Certified Private Wealth Advisor® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Jason brings a systems-oriented approach to scaling operations, managing team capacity, and improving profitability within finance departments and advisory teams. He is a recognized speaker for WICPA and a frequent contributor to thought leadership publications on leadership burnout, tax strategy, and organizational efficiency. Jason also serves on multiple nonprofit finance committees and draws from his own experience as a high-net-worth individual and business owner to offer actionable insight. His mission is simple: to help professionals move from overworked and reactive to empowered and strategic—without sacrificing wellbeing, growth, or integrity.
Kevin Kraft, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Wisconsin River Partners
FACT: 100% of business owners will transition out of their companies. Join industry experts as they break down the real-world factors that make – or break – a successful business transition, offering practical insights on deal factors, exit paths and planning decisions that shape stronger outcomes for privately held businesses.
This session is available to registrants only.
Breakout Session
- Employment Law Update
Michael Gregory, Senior Counsel, Husch Blackwell LLP
Navigate the complex landscape of employment laws in 2026 with confidence. This session will highlight the most impactful developments from last year.
This session is available to registrants only.
- Modern Finance, Smarter Tools: Practical AI for Decision-Makers
Mary Newby, Data Analytics Consultant, 7Rivers, Inc.
In a world where finance teams are still stitching together pivot tables and manual charts from ERP exports, there’s a smarter, faster and more strategic way forward. Explore how today’s finance leaders can harness the power of AI and modern data tools to elevate reporting, forecasting and decision-making. This session will highlight real-world, practical applications of AI designed specifically for CFOs and finance professionals. Whether you’re Excel-savvy or just tech-curious, this session will open the door to what’s possible when you streamline your data flows and embrace AI for finance.
This session is available to registrants only.
Breakout Session
- Decoding Automation: From Ideas to Reality
Mitchell Suter, Chief Innovation Officer, Naviant, Inc.
In an era of tight margins and workforce challenges, automation is no longer optional. This session is designed for financial leaders who need to drive operational efficiency now. Learn the fundamental tools and strategies to relieve margin pressure, solve labor shortages and remain competitive. Move beyond theory and learn how to build a practical, results-driven automation blueprint for your organization.
This session is available to registrants only.
- GAAP Alternatives: Finding a Safe Harbor in the Perfect Storm of Accounting Updates
Chris Harper, Associate Professor of Accounting, Siedman College of Business Grand Valley State University
Companies operating in today’s business climate are weathering a storm of major FASB updates. Businesses and their advisors may want to consider non-GAAP options as they develop strategies involving revenue recognition, leasing, credit losses and other FASB pronouncements. This session will provide an overview of special-purpose frameworks that may present salient alternatives to GAAP for certain entities.
This session is available to registrants only.
Breakout Session
- Cash Management: Day-to-Day Best Practices
John Daly, President & CEO, Executive Education, Inc.
You may not currently manage cash, but cash management skills are likely to affect your future advancement. Poor liquidity kills organizations, but strong liquidity allows them to grow. This session will help you develop your cash management skills to make you indispensable.
This session is available to registrants only.
- Financial Wellness & Education as a Company Benefit: Engaging Younger Demographics & Supporting Your Total Workforce
William Cronin, Managing Partner, Integrity Wealth Managment
In today’s evolving workplace, financial wellness has emerged as a key pillar of overall employee well-being. This session will explore how organizations can integrate financial education and support into their benefits strategy to meet the diverse needs of a multigenerational workforce – especially the growing population of younger employees. Gain insights into why financial literacy matters now more than ever, how it impacts retention and productivity and what innovative programs companies are using to drive engagement. This session will equip you with actionable strategies to make financial education a meaningful, measurable part of your company’s total rewards offering.
This session is available to registrants only.
Breakout Session
- Build Better Budgets: Fundamental Techniques & Best Practices
Chris Harper, Associate Professor of Accounting, Siedman College of Business Grand Valley State University
Enhance the preparation and utilization of your budgets with a renewed understanding of popular techniques and fundamental budgeting concepts. In this session, you will develop an appreciation for the holistic nature of budgeting as an integral tool for planning and control.
This session is available to registrants only.
- The Power of Culture
Corie Hoffman, Leadership Coach & Culture Consultant, The Perk
Culture isn’t what’s written on the wall; it’s what happens in the hall. It’s the daily behaviors, choices and interactions that shape how your team feels, works and stays. This interactive session will break down what culture really is (and isn’t), explore why it’s the strongest lever for retention and uncover how intentional culture-building drives engagement, trust and performance. You will walk away with a clear action plan to build the culture you want.
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Resolving Ethical Conflicts
John Daly, President & CEO, Executive Education, Inc.
At some point in their career, every financial manager will face the choice of doing the right thing or taking the easy way out. Skillful handling of an ethical conflict can make a big difference in your career’s trajectory. Learn how to turn a situation around and get others to do the right thing.
This session is available to registrants only.
General Session
- Closing Remarks & Prize Drawing
This session is available to registrants only.
Non-Member Price $479.00
Member Price $379.00