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For accounting, bookkeeping, and tax professionals, staying current is essential. Accounting conferences are a great way to keep up with all of the changes within the industry. Whether you're looking to earn CPE credits, master automation, network with peers who understand your challenges, or discover how AI can streamline your practice, attending the right conference can accelerate growth and help you achieve your goals.
This comprehensive guide covers the best accounting conferences in 2026, organized chronologically to help you plan your year. From free virtual events to premium in-person experiences, from specific topics to broad CPA conferences, you'll find events that match your goals, budget, and schedule.
One of the more obvious reasons for attending conferences is that many CPAs, Enrolled Agents, and other credentialed professionals need regular CPE credits to maintain their licenses. Conferences offer an efficient way to earn a handful of credits in just a few days, often with more engaging content than self-study courses.
The conversations that happen between sessions, at lunches, and during evening networking events can often be even more valuable than the formal presentations. You'll meet peers who are solving the same client challenges you face, vendors who can automate your most time-consuming processes, and potential referral partners who serve adjacent markets.
For firm owners, conferences provide benchmarking opportunities you can't get anywhere else. How are similar-sized firms pricing their services? What's a realistic revenue-per-employee target? How are top performers structuring their advisory services? These insights come naturally from conference conversations.
Technology sessions at accounting conferences give you hands-on exposure to tools that can transform your practice. You'll see live demos of QuickBooks automation solutions, AI-powered bookkeeping platforms, and workflow management systems. Many conferences offer dedicated expo halls where you can test software before committing to a purchase.
For firms using QuickBooks Online, automation has become non-negotiable. Solutions that automatically sync data, generate accruals, or reconcile transactions can save hundreds of hours per year. Conferences help you identify which automation tools deliver real ROI versus those that overpromise and underdeliver.
The accounting industry is facing a number of challenges, including staffing shortages, price compression from automated tax software, clients demanding more advisory services, and technology that's evolving faster than most firms can adopt it. Conferences address these challenges head-on, offering practical strategies from firms that are thriving despite these headwinds.
You'll learn how successful firms are transitioning from compliance-focused to advisory-focused business models, how they're using pricing strategies that reflect value rather than hours, and how they're building cultures that attract and retain top talent in a competitive market.
Date: May 4-6, 2026
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Format: In-person
Target Audience: Bookkeeping, accounting, and tax firm owners
Why Attend:
Notable Topics: Marketing strategies for accounting firms, value pricing implementation, team building and delegation, technology stack optimization, client acquisition systems, financial management for your own firm
Price: $997-$1,297
CPE Credits: TBA
Registration: GrowCon
Date: June 8-11, 2026
Location: Aria Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, NV
Format: Hybrid (in-person and virtual)
Target Audience: CPAs, accountants, finance professionals at all career levels
Why Attend:
Notable Topics:
Price: $895-$2,345
CPE Credits: up to 42 credits
Registration: AICPA Engage
Date: June 14-17, 2026
Location: Orlando Marriott World Center, Orlando, FL
Format: In-person
Target Audience: Accounting firm owners, QuickBooks ProAdvisors, bookkeepers
Why Attend:
Notable Topics: AI implementation in accounting practices, automation strategies, staffing and talent challenges, mergers and acquisitions, practice valuation, competition from non-traditional providers, QuickBooks Online advanced features, advisory services development
Price: $1,095-$1,495
CPE Credits: Up to 24 credits
Registration: Scaling New Heights
Date: June 14-17, 2026
Location: The Tampa Marriott Water Street & The JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, Tampa, FL
Format: In-person
Target Audience: Management accountants, CFOs, controllers, finance professionals
Why Attend:
Notable Topics: Geopolitical Risk & Global Trade, AI & Automation, Data Integrity & Governance, Future Finance Talent, ESG & Sustainability, and Strategic Value Creation.
Price: $1,099-$1,650 for members, $1,394-$1,945 for non-members
CPE Credits: Up to 18 credits
Registration: IMA26
Date: July 13-15, 2026
Location: Huntington Convention Center, Cleveland, OH
Format: In-person
Target Audience: Tax preparers, Enrolled Agents, CPAs, CRTPs
Why Attend:
Notable Topics: Federal tax law updates, practice management for tax professionals, ethics and professional standards, technology integration, IRS administrative issues, state tax updates
Price: $1,495
CPE Credits: CPE credits available
Registration: Taxposium
Date: July 28-30, 2026
Location: Denver Marriott Tech Center, Denver, CO
Format: In-person
Target Audience: Accounting, tax, and finance professionals at all career levels
Why Attend:
Notable Topics: Innovation and technology adoption, professional development and leadership, mental health and burnout prevention, work-life balance strategies, communication across generations, practice sustainability
Price: $1,195-$1,495
CPE Credits: Available
Registration: Bridging the Gap
Date: July 27-29, 2026
Location: New Orleans Marriot, New Orleans, LA
Format: In-person
Target Audience: Enrolled Agents, CPAs, tax attorneys, tax professionals
Why Attend:
Notable Topics: IRS representation strategies, complex tax law analysis, ethics in tax practice, practice management and operations, emerging tax issues, client relations and communication
Price: $900-$1,200
CPE Credits: Up to 24+ credits
Registration: NAEA Tax Summit
Date: August 1-5, 2026
Location: Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV
Format: In-person
Target Audience: Accounting educators, academic researchers, doctoral students
Why Attend:
Notable Topics: Accounting education methodologies, emerging research in accounting theory, technological advancements in teaching, educational strategies, professional development for educators
Price: TBA (varies by membership status)
CPE Credits: TBA
Registration: 2026 AAA Global Connect
Date: August 19-20, 2026
Location: Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO
Format: In-person
Target Audience: US-based Xero users, accountants, bookkeepers
Why Attend:
Notable Topics: Xero platform innovations, automation and AI features, US regulatory compliance, practice efficiency, app integrations, advisory services with Xero
Price: TBA
CPE Credits: Available
Registration: Xerocon Denver
Date: October 20-24, 2026
Location: TBA
Format: In-person
Target Audience: Women in accounting, finance, and related fields
Why Attend:
Notable Topics: Technical accounting and tax updates, leadership development and advancement strategies, technology trends and implementation, professional development, work-life integration, chapter development and networking
Price: TBA
CPE Credits: Up to 21 credits
Registration: Women Who Count
Date: October 25-28, 2026
Location: The Wigwam, Litchfield Park, AZ
Format: Hybrid (in-person and virtual)
Target Audience: CPAs, state board members, accounting regulators, educators
Why Attend:
Notable Topics: Regulatory and policy updates, education and pipeline initiatives, technology integration in accounting oversight, ethics and professionalism, CPA evolution and innovation
Price: $850-$950
CPE Credits: Available
Registration: NASBA Annual Meeting
Date: October 26-28, 2026
Location: Aria Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, NV
Format: In-person
Target Audience: Multi-service accounting firms, QuickBooks users, Intuit product users
Why Attend:
Notable Topics: Intuit Enterprise Suite, QuickBooks Online advanced features, Mailchimp integration, AI-powered tools, Intuit Assist, practice transformation, advisory service delivery
Price: TBA
CPE Credits: Available
Registration: Intuit Connect
Intuit Connect is essential for QuickBooks-centered practices. The conference has evolved from product training to practice transformation, with heavy emphasis on moving beyond compliance into advisory services. FinOptimal creates automation tools for QuickBooks Online that help accountants focus on more valuable work. We’ll be sponsoring at QuickBooks Connect this year, so be sure to stop by and see our booth!
Date: November 16-19, 2026
Location: Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Format: In-person
Target Audience: Thomson Reuters customers, tax, audit and accounting professionals
Why Attend:
Notable Topics: Thomson Reuters product updates, AI-powered research and analysis, tax workflow automation, audit efficiency, complex regulatory compliance, practice management
Price: $2,095-$2,695
CPE Credits: Available
Registration: SYNERGY
Date: December 6-9, 2026
Location: San Diego, CA
Format: Hybrid (in-person and virtual)
Target Audience: Digital-forward CPAs, accountants, technology adopters
Why Attend:
Notable Topics: Cloud accounting platforms, automation implementation, cybersecurity and data protection, client advisory services (CAS), artificial intelligence applications, digital workflow optimization
Price: $1,395-$1,795
CPE Credits: Available
Registration: Digital CPA
16. WorkflowCon
Date: TBA 2026
Format: Virtual
Target Audience: Accounting, tax, and bookkeeping firm owners
WorkflowCon is the only conference dedicated exclusively to workflow management for accounting firms. Over 4,000 firms registered for the 2025 event, making it one of the fastest-growing conferences in the profession.
Why Attend:
Topics: Process standardization, productivity systems, capacity planning, workflow automation, client work management, team collaboration
Price: free
CPE Credits: up to 12 available
Registration: WorkflowCon
17. Ensuring Success
Date: TBA, 2026
Format: Virtual
Organizer: CPA Practice Advisor
Ensuring Success has offered up to 14 hours of free CPE credits in previous years, all delivered virtually.
Why Attend:
Topics: Tax updates, accounting technology, practice management, emerging trends, professional development
Registration: Ensuring Success
Solo practitioners benefit most from conferences focused on efficiency and automation, like Scaling New Heights, GrowCon, or virtual events like WorkflowCon. Your limited time means technology that multiplies your capacity is essential.
Firm owners with staff should prioritize practice management and leadership conferences like AICPA Engage, Scaling New Heights, or GrowCon. You need strategies for building teams, not just serving clients.
Staff accountants gain most from technical education at conferences like Taxposium or specialty events in their focus area. CPE credits matter, but also look for career development content.
Specialists (tax, audit, nonprofit, etc.) should seek niche conferences where deep expertise is valued over broad knowledge.
Local and regional conferences cost less and take less time away from the office. Search for state CPA society conferences or regional accounting events.
Major national conferences in cities like Las Vegas or Orlando offer the most networking opportunities and broadest content selection. Plan these as major professional development investments.
Virtual conferences eliminate travel costs entirely and allow you to attend from your office. They're perfect for specific skill development or when budgets are tight. However, networking opportunities are limited compared to in-person events.
Hybrid conferences offer the best of both worlds. Attend in-person when possible, or join virtually when schedule or budget constraints prevent travel.
For CPE credits: Look at total credits available and track whether they match your credential requirements. Some conferences offer 20+ credits in just a few days.
For technology and automation: Scaling New Heights, Digital CPA, Digital Accountancy Show, and Intuit Connect lead in technology education. If you need hands-on software training, these conferences deliver.
For practice management: GrowCon, Scaling New Heights, and the firm management tracks at AICPA Engage provide business-building strategies beyond technical accounting skills.
Free conferences provide legitimate value at zero cost. Start here if budget is your primary constraint.
Mid-range conferences ($500-$1,500) include most regional events, virtual options, and some national conferences. This range offers the best balance of value and accessibility.
Premium conferences ($2,000+) like high-tier packages at AICPA Engage deliver intensive experiences with smaller groups, high-level networking, and comprehensive content.
ROI calculation: Estimate the value by considering: CPE credit cost (often $50-100 per credit if purchased separately), networking value (potential client relationships or referrals), and efficiency improvements (one automation technique could save 10+ hours monthly, worth thousands annually).
Avoid tax season (January-April) if you're in tax practice. You can't afford to be away during peak revenue season.
Summer conferences (June-August) work well for post-busy season learning and planning improvements for the next year.
Fall conferences (September-November) help you prepare for year-end and tax season while there's still time to implement changes.
December conferences are perfect for last-minute CPE credits and setting strategy for the new year.
Q: How many CPE credits can I earn at accounting conferences?
A: Most conferences offer 8-24 CPE credits for 2-3 day events, with some larger conferences like AICPA Engage offering up to 42 credits. Virtual events typically offer fewer credits (4-16) but allow you to earn them without travel time.
Q: Are virtual conferences worth attending?
A: Yes, especially for specific topic learning or when budget is constrained. Virtual conferences lack the networking opportunities of in-person events but deliver comparable educational content at significantly lower cost.
Q: How do I convince my firm to pay for conference attendance?
A: Frame attendance as ROI, not expense. Calculate the cost of CPE credits if purchased separately (often $50-100 per credit). Identify specific problems the conference will help solve. Offer to present key learnings to the team upon return.
Q: Can I attend if I'm not a CPA?
A: Absolutely. Most accounting conferences welcome bookkeepers, Enrolled Agents, accounting staff, and other finance professionals. Very few conferences restrict attendance to CPAs only.
Q: How far in advance should I register?
A: Register 2-4 months in advance to secure early-bird pricing (often 20-30% discounts) and ensure availability. Popular conferences sell out, and hotels near conference venues book up quickly.
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