Business & Industry Fall Conference

Overview

Your Source For Key Updates & Insights on Timely Issues

Attend this year's Business & Industry Fall Conference to hear from prominent leaders and experts about the latest updates and insights on key tax policy developments, estate planning, the accounting pronouncements update, cybersecurity, AI best practices, changes in manufacturing, staffing shortages in the CPA profession, Wisconsin's digital goods sales tax, investment opportunities during challenging times, 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, Sept. 8, with a room rate of $134 (plus tax). To reserve a room in the block, please call 877-782-9444 and mention you're attending the WICPA Business & Industry Fall Conference.

Online Option

For those unable to attend the conference in person, another option is available! This year's Business & Industry Fall Conference will be streamed live! The registration page and more details for attending via WICPA CPE Livestream is available here.

7.8 CPE Credits

Registration

Registration is open through 09/09.

Member Price

$379

Nonmember Price

$479

Student Price

$30

Tuesday, September 9

8:00am to 4:50pm (Check-In 7:00am)

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Brookfield Conference Center

325 S Moorland Rd
Brookfield, WI 53005

Map and Directions

Agenda

Tuesday, Sep 9th

8:00AM TO 8:15AM / General Session

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Welcome & Opening Remarks

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8:15AM TO 9:15AM / General Session

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Demystifying AI for Organizational Results

Lee Truax, Principal, BestResults.AI

Step into the future of work and leadership with this dynamic session that will simplify the complexities of AI and its transformative power for business. This session will cover the latest breakthroughs, actionable strategies and best practices for leaders and workers to harness AI effectively to help you drive innovation, efficiency and growth in your organization.

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9:30AM TO 10:20AM / General Session

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Cybersecurity From the Trenches to the Board Room

William Caraher, CIO & Director of Operations, von Briesen & Roper, s.c.

Cybersecurity is a topic that can consume a 15-week, multi-credit graduate-level course. This session will dial the topic down from 15 weeks to an exciting and interesting hour of the latest trends and news from the "trenches" of professional services, specifically addressing what keeps CEOs and board members awake at night as we all fight the current cyber battle and look to defend against emerging AI threats.

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10:35AM TO 11:35AM / General Session

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Tax Update: Key Legislative Developments & Planning Implications

Daniel Glomski, Principal, SVA Certified Public Accountants

Craig Maternowski, Principal, SVA Certified Public Accountants

Eric Trost, Principal, SVA Certified Public Accountants

As the details of a new federal tax bill begin to emerge, accountants need to be prepared for the practical implications of what could be the most sweeping changes in recent years. As the expiration of key provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act approaches, finalized legislation - or a near-final version - is expected to impact individuals, businesses and estate planning strategies heading into 2026.

This session will provide a detailed overview of the latest tax policy developments, including finalized provisions or negotiated compromises in the proposed legislation. Topics include changes to business deductions, pass-through taxation, energy-related incentives, and estate and gift tax thresholds. It will also explore how these changes may affect year-end planning strategies and outline the broader implications for advisory and compliance work as accountants help clients adapt to a changing tax environment.

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12:25PM TO 1:25PM / General Session

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Navigating Crosscurrents: Policy, Markets & Themes in the Age of Trump

Nicholas Bohnsack, President, Strategas Securities

In a hyper-politicized economic environment, investors are confronted with greater analytical challenges than ever before in both complexity and volatility. This session will distill major macro movements into investable opportunities while navigating these challenging times.

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1:40PM TO 2:30PM / Breakout Sessions

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Solving Staffing Shortages & Work Exhaustion in the CPA Profession

Jason Glisczynski, CEO, Principal Advisor, Silvertree, LLC.

Explore the systemic causes of burnout in accounting and actionable strategies to overcome them. You will learn how to reimagine client segmentation, pricing models and operational efficiency to reclaim time, drive profitability and deliver greater impact - especially in leadership roles like controllers and CFOs. This session will empower financial leaders to build scalable, sustainable practices while elevating both team well-being and organizational performance.

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The Fine Print of Access: The 2021 Digital Goods Sales Tax Shake Up

Holly Hoffman, Owner, Sales Tax Advisory Network, LLC

In November 2021, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue quietly redefined how digital good- especially news and information products- are taxed. Without legislative change or court case precedent, Publication 240 was revised, shifting the focus from the content itself to taxing access. This subtle change has had sweeping implications for the taxability of information databases, including those containing only historical data. This session will unpack what changed, why it matters and how accountants can navigate this complex new landscape.

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2:45PM TO 3:35PM / Breakout Sessions

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Accounting Pronouncements Update (US GAAP)

Joseph Balus, Audit Senior Manager, Baker Tilly

This timely and important session will provide an overview of the newly issued and soon-to-be-effective Accounting Standard Update that makes numerous changes to GAAP.

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What's Really Changing in Manufacturing: 9 Truths That Matter

Kris Harrington, CEO & Co-Founder, GenAlpha Technologies

Digital transformation isn't just a buzzword, it's reshaping how manufacturers sell, serve and grow. This session will unpack nine key truths that are changing the way modern industrial organizations do business, from shifting buyer behavior to the impact of AI and automation. Backed by data and real-world examples, this session is designed to give leaders new ways of thinking, practical questions to bring back to their teams and a clearer sense of what to prioritize in a fast-moving, competitive market.

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3:45PM TO 4:45PM / General Session

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Hot Tax Practice & Procedure & Ethics Issues & Their Impact on the Industry Practitioner

Michael Goller, Shareholder & Tax Department Chair, Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.

This engaging session will include a discussion on timely tax and ethics issues that every industry tax practitioner should know. You will learn about the latest "hot" IRS practice and procedure and ethics issues, along with the blunders and mistakes practitioners should avoid. This session is particularly relevant, given the recent changes at the IRS and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.

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