Accounting Thought Leader Symposium – An Annual ThinkFest

I’m still catching my breath from this year’s Thought Leader Symposium. The retreat/think tank was given a name and a purpose almost a dozen years ago by a handful of members of and consultants to the accounting profession who were getting together anyway to share ideas, discuss trends, try to figure out where the profession is going, and consider their role in the accounting profession as a whole. By giving the event a name and causing it to reconvene annually, the symposium became a reality, and it has evolved and grown to become the can’t-miss event for both the symposium members as well as creative masterminds who want to flesh out their concepts and innovations with the experts and decision shapers in this group.

Each year, everyone in attendance walks away with a full agenda of plans and projects and new ideas to address for the year ahead. As facilitator, I get to hear it all, and that also shapes the direction of the magazine and the articles and training that we prepare for you. While the specific conversations that occur at the symposium are not publicized, you’ll see the ripple effect of everything we discussed as you read, listen, and learn from everyone who was present. To begin with, check out Randy Johnston’s column this month, “Do Your Best Vision Management.”

Meanwhile, I’m writing this while still in the throes of what seems to be my most difficult tax season ever. It’s not that the changes in the tax laws are all that complicated, although there are definitely some new challenges – it’s how the new tax act is impacting clients. Reactions range from absolute glee to I-need-to-take-out-a-loan-to-pay-my-taxes, and everything in between. I’m trying to look at this as an opportunity to help my clients by offering introductory financial planning services, hoping to whet their appetites to work together throughout the year, not only to avoid the annual tax return surprise, but to encourage them to be more forward thinking. You’ll be hearing more about this quest in the months ahead.