At ENGAGE 2026, a Profession Richer and Less Certain Than Ever

On the agenda: Consolidation, ethics, AI, and talent.

By CPA Trendlines

The CPA profession arrives at its biggest annual gathering this month, carrying two truths that refuse to sit comfortably together: It has never been worth more money. And it has never been less sure of what it is becoming.

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AICPA and CIMA convene ENGAGE 2026 at the ARIA in Las Vegas, June 8 through 11 and the 10th-anniversary theme — “The Next Wave: A Decade of Possibility Starts Now” — markets the milestone while signaling the unease beneath it.

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Independent Firms Have a Regulatory Advantage

three men seated at table in office and talking

Use it to set yourself apart.

By Hitendra Patil

This article covers something I do not hear discussed nearly enough in conversations about how independent firms differentiate themselves. Most of the differentiation conversation focuses on relationship depth, niche expertise and responsiveness. All of that is real, but there is a structural advantage available to independent CPA firms right now that almost none of them are naming to clients, and it is growing in legal and regulatory significance.

Structural independence in the attest function.

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How Private Equity Structures Actually Work

When PE enters an accounting firm, the transaction does not simply add capital to the existing firm. Generally, the acquired firm splits into two separate legal entities:
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Jen Cryder: Collapse of the CPA Firm Pyramid | Gear Up for Growth

Relationships, Not Technology, Will Define Success.
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Gear Up for Growth
With Jean Caragher

“More than anything else, I think CPAs have this incredible opportunity right now to redefine our relevance in the future,” Jennifer Cryder, CEO of the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs, says in the new episode of Gear Up for Growth with host Jean Caragher. “What CPA meant for the last hundred years was relatively static. All of that has changed.”

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Cryder says that the profession is at a pivotal moment. While artificial intelligence and new market entrants are transforming service delivery, Cryder stressed that the profession’s true competitive advantage lies in human connection.

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Sarah Flischel: The End of the SALY Audit | The Disruptors

Transformation in audit can help predict clients’ futures.

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Sponsored by The Balanced Millionaire: Advisor Edition: Building a 7-Figure Firm in 4 Hours a Week by Dr. Jackie Meyer, CPA, CCA   

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Lexy Kessler: Your Future Depends on These Three Questions | Gear Up for Growth

At stake: Growth, relevance and survival.

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Gear Up for Growth
With Jean Caragher

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CPA firm leaders must act decisively on technology, talent strategy and long-term identity or risk falling behind in a rapidly evolving marketplace, Lexy Kessler, Chair of the AICPA and a partner at Aprio, tells JJean Caragher in a new episode of Gear Up for Growth.

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In a wide-ranging discussion, Kessler focuses on three urgent priorities for firm leaders.  

    • AI Adoption Is No Longer Optional 
    • The Talent Pipeline Is Showing Real Progress, and 
    • Firm Leaders Must Recalibrate Who They Want to Be 

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