A coastal conference experience—reimagined.

MACPA is thrilled to introduce the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Conference, in partnership with our neighboring state associations. Less than three hours from Baltimore, Virginia Beach, and Washington, D.C., this annual retreat brings together accounting and finance professionals from across the region for three days of learning, collaboration, and inspiration — all in a beautiful beachside setting.

For 2026, we’re elevating the Coastal Conference experience. With four concurrent tracks and immersive two-hour sessions each day, you can build an agenda that fits your goals.

Here’s a preview of confirmed sessions and speakers — and this is just the beginning. Additional programming will be announced soon.

🌊 Come for the learning. Stay for the connection, community, and oceanfront downtime.

Conference highlights
  • NEW 2-hour session format
  • Multiple learning tracks to customize your experience
  • Ethics, tax, AI, technology and industry updates
  • Welcome Reception & Beach Bonfire Night
  • Complimentary professional headshots
  • Sunrise/Sunset Yoga
  • Grab the Full Conference Pass for access to every session, every day. Build your own agenda, dive into the topics that matter most, and earn CPE for the hours you attend and attest to. One pass, total flexibility — and the ultimate conference experience.

Firms & Organizations: Make this a retreat for your team. Take advantage of group registration discounts on CPE seminars and build in time for shared team experiences. Join these organizations at this year’s conference—we hope to see you there.


Merrill Lynch

Masters, Mates & Pilots Benefit Plans

CohnReznick

PeoplesBank

S.E.W. Friel

Leap LLC

The City of Aberdeen

Dowell Financial Services, LLC

MileOne Autogroup

Baptist Convention of MD/De

Tower Federal Credit Union

The Arc Baltimore

Mid-Atlantic Coastal Conference Session Schedule

Here's a preview of confirmed sessions and speakers - and this is just the beginning. Additional programming will
be announced soon. Get ready to be part of an unforgettable new chapter at the beach.

Monday, 6/22

AGENDA: Monday, 6/22

Tech, Tax, Audit & Leadership Highlights

  • Nonprofit tax and Form 990 Essentials: What Every Nonprofit Needs to Know - Fred Longwood, CPA, MST – Senior Manager, GRF CPAs & Advisors
  • Professional Ethical Considerations for CPAs - George Luff, III, CPA, CFE, MAFF, CFF, CVA, Luff & Associates
  • The Algorithm Can't Do This: Leading People in the Age of AI - Jennifer Elder, CSP, CPA, CGMA, CSCA, AICPA
  • Current State of AI: Demystifying the Tools & Real-World Examples - Nick Damoulakis, Orases
  • 2026 Yellow Book Update - Tricia Reaver, CPA, Frederick County Government
  • Automating Accounting workflows: How to save time and enable delegation - Bryant Harrison, The Seventh Wall
  • Balancing the Books on AI: Managing Risk, Maximizing Reward - Jennifer Elder, CSP, CPA, CGMA, CSCA, AICPA
  • Once Upon a Spreadsheet: The Art and Science of Data Storytelling - Jennifer Elder, CSP, CPA, CGMA, CSCA, AICPA
  • Upskilling That Sticks: From Content to Capability - Phil Mills, CPA, Aprio
  • Employee Benefits Update - Trends, Gregory Usberti, ADP
  • Rethinking Talent Strategy: How Offshoring Enables Growth & Retention - Heather Karpawich, CPA, Grant Thornton
  • Power Off - Strategies for Healthy Digital Boundaries - Mauren Dingus, CAE, Virginia Society of CPAs
  • HR Compliance Check-in: Strategies for Small Businesses and the Advisors Who Guide Them - Sharon Webb and Stephanie Clendening, blackwellHR

AGENDA: Monday, 6/22

Tech, Tax, Audit & Leadership Highlights

  • Nonprofit tax and Form 990 Essentials: What Every Nonprofit Needs to Know - Fred Longwood, CPA, MST – Senior Manager, GRF CPAs & Advisors
  • Professional Ethical Considerations for CPAs - George Luff, III, CPA, CFE, MAFF, CFF, CVA, Luff & Associates
  • The Algorithm Can't Do This: Leading People in the Age of AI - Jennifer Elder, CSP, CPA, CGMA, CSCA, AICPA
  • Current State of AI: Demystifying the Tools & Real-World Examples - Nick Damoulakis, Orases
  • 2026 Yellow Book Update - Tricia Reaver, CPA, Frederick County Government
  • Automating Accounting workflows: How to save time and enable delegation - Bryant Harrison, The Seventh Wall
  • Balancing the Books on AI: Managing Risk, Maximizing Reward - Jennifer Elder, CSP, CPA, CGMA, CSCA, AICPA
  • Once Upon a Spreadsheet: The Art and Science of Data Storytelling - Jennifer Elder, CSP, CPA, CGMA, CSCA, AICPA
  • Upskilling That Sticks: From Content to Capability - Phil Mills, CPA, Aprio
  • Employee Benefits Update - Trends, Gregory Usberti, ADP
  • Rethinking Talent Strategy: How Offshoring Enables Growth & Retention - Heather Karpawich, CPA, Grant Thornton
  • Power Off - Strategies for Healthy Digital Boundaries - Mauren Dingus, CAE, Virginia Society of CPAs
  • HR Compliance Check-in: Strategies for Small Businesses and the Advisors Who Guide Them - Sharon Webb and Stephanie Clendening, blackwellHR

Tuesday, 6/23

AGENDA: Tuesday, 6/23

Innovation, Compliance & Succession Focus

  • Technology Trends for CPAs & CFOs: 2026 Update - John Higgins, CPA, CITP, Higgins Advisory, LLC
  • Linking It All Together: Audit Planning & Risk Assessment (AU-C 315) - Phil Mills, CPA, Aprio
  • How to not get hacked: The 5 security safeguards that actually matter - Bryant Harrison, The Seventh Wall
  • No Title Required: How CPAs Lead Through Influence, Not Authority - Jennifer Elder, CSP, CPA, CGMA, CSCA, AICPA-CIMA
  • Tax Planning Strategies for Today’s Environment - Art Werner, JD, MS (Taxation), Werner Rocca Seminars
  • See What's Possible: A Live Demonstration of AI with Claude and Claude Cowork - Nick Damoulakis, Orases
  • AI Ethics 2026 (VBOA approved) - John Higgins, CPA, CITP, Higgins Advisory, LLC
  • Nexus – Know Your Triggers - Art Werner, JD, MS (Taxation), Werner Rocca Seminars
  • Succession Starts Today - Barrett Young, III, CPA, GWCPA
  • Microsoft 365 for CPAs: Unlocking Hidden Productivity Tools - John Higgins, CPA, CITP, Higgins Advisory, LLC
  • Estate Planning, Local Issues (MD, VA, DC concerns) - Art Werner, JD, MS (Taxation), Werner Rocca Seminars
  • Internal Audit in the Government Environment - Tricia Reaver, CPA, Frederick County Government
  • Picture This: What Finance and Audit Professionals Need to Know about Data Visualization - Joe Oringel, CPA, CIA, MBA, Visual Risk IQ
  • Leadership in Motion: Steadying the Ship During Change - Janice Stucke, CPA, CREW Network, and Jessica McClain, CPA, CISA, PMP, CGFM, American Staffing Association
  • CPA & Banker Partnership to build Client Resiliency - Chris Sweeney, PNC Bank
  • Supervised AI Agents as Audit & Finance Team Members - Joe Oringel, CPA, CIA, MBA, Visual Risk IQ

AGENDA: Tuesday, 6/23

Innovation, Compliance & Succession Focus

  • Technology Trends for CPAs & CFOs: 2026 Update - John Higgins, CPA, CITP, Higgins Advisory, LLC
  • Linking It All Together: Audit Planning & Risk Assessment (AU-C 315) - Phil Mills, CPA, Aprio
  • How to not get hacked: The 5 security safeguards that actually matter - Bryant Harrison, The Seventh Wall
  • No Title Required: How CPAs Lead Through Influence, Not Authority - Jennifer Elder, CSP, CPA, CGMA, CSCA, AICPA-CIMA
  • Tax Planning Strategies for Today’s Environment - Art Werner, JD, MS (Taxation), Werner Rocca Seminars
  • See What's Possible: A Live Demonstration of AI with Claude and Claude Cowork - Nick Damoulakis, Orases
  • AI Ethics 2026 (VBOA approved) - John Higgins, CPA, CITP, Higgins Advisory, LLC
  • Nexus – Know Your Triggers - Art Werner, JD, MS (Taxation), Werner Rocca Seminars
  • Succession Starts Today - Barrett Young, III, CPA, GWCPA
  • Microsoft 365 for CPAs: Unlocking Hidden Productivity Tools - John Higgins, CPA, CITP, Higgins Advisory, LLC
  • Estate Planning, Local Issues (MD, VA, DC concerns) - Art Werner, JD, MS (Taxation), Werner Rocca Seminars
  • Internal Audit in the Government Environment - Tricia Reaver, CPA, Frederick County Government
  • Picture This: What Finance and Audit Professionals Need to Know about Data Visualization - Joe Oringel, CPA, CIA, MBA, Visual Risk IQ
  • Leadership in Motion: Steadying the Ship During Change - Janice Stucke, CPA, CREW Network, and Jessica McClain, CPA, CISA, PMP, CGFM, American Staffing Association
  • CPA & Banker Partnership to build Client Resiliency - Chris Sweeney, PNC Bank
  • Supervised AI Agents as Audit & Finance Team Members - Joe Oringel, CPA, CIA, MBA, Visual Risk IQ

Wednesday, 6/24

AGENDA: Wednesday, 6/24

Technical Updates & The Future of the Profession

  • ChatGPT Deep-Dive Bootcamp for CPAs - John Higgins, CPA, CITP, Higgins Advisory, LLC
  • Federal Tax Update - Art Werner, JD, MS (Taxation), Werner Rocca Seminars
  • Alternative Firm Structures - Matthew Bosher, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
  • What's Ahead in Financial Reporting: FASB Updates and Regulatory Development - Ryan J. Walker, CPA, and Julia Bell, CPA, Crowe LLP
  • Forensic Accounting & Fraud Prevention Techniques - George Luff, III, CPA, CFE, MAFF, CFF, CVA, Luff & Associates
  • Smarter Tax Services with AI Tools - John Higgins, CPA, CITP, Higgins Advisory, LLC
  • Tax Planning Strategies for Today’s Environment - Art Werner, JD, MS (Taxation), Werner Rocca Seminars
  • The AI Revolution in 2026: What CPAs Should Know - John Higgins, CPA, CITP, Higgins Advisory, LLC
  • VSCPA & MACPA Town Hall - Rebekah Olson, CPA, Maryland Association of CPAs, and Maureen Dingus, CAE, Virginia Society of CPAs
  • Common Federal Tax Issues Practitioners Are Seeing Now - Art Werner, JD, MS (Taxation), Werner Rocca Seminars
  • Designing an AI-Ready Firm - Barrett Young, III, CPA and John Benish, Jr., CPA, CGMA, GWCPA
  • Economic Update - Dr. Leonard Arvi, Salisbury University
  • Private Equity in Accounting Firms: Pros, Cons & Lessons Learned - Matthew Bosher, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
  • Women in the CPA Profession (Roundtable Experience) - Jessica McClain, CPA, CISA, PMP, CGFM, American Staffing Association, Janice Stucke, CPA, CREW Network, Jennifer Elder, CSP, CPA, CGMA, CSCA, AICPA, and Rebekah Olson, CPA, Maryland Association of CPAs

AGENDA: Wednesday, 6/24

Technical Updates & The Future of the Profession

  • ChatGPT Deep-Dive Bootcamp for CPAs - John Higgins, CPA, CITP, Higgins Advisory, LLC
  • Federal Tax Update - Art Werner, JD, MS (Taxation), Werner Rocca Seminars
  • Alternative Firm Structures - Matthew Bosher, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
  • What's Ahead in Financial Reporting: FASB Updates and Regulatory Development - Ryan J. Walker, CPA, and Julia Bell, CPA, Crowe LLP
  • Forensic Accounting & Fraud Prevention Techniques - George Luff, III, CPA, CFE, MAFF, CFF, CVA, Luff & Associates
  • Smarter Tax Services with AI Tools - John Higgins, CPA, CITP, Higgins Advisory, LLC
  • Tax Planning Strategies for Today’s Environment - Art Werner, JD, MS (Taxation), Werner Rocca Seminars
  • The AI Revolution in 2026: What CPAs Should Know - John Higgins, CPA, CITP, Higgins Advisory, LLC
  • VSCPA & MACPA Town Hall - Rebekah Olson, CPA, Maryland Association of CPAs, and Maureen Dingus, CAE, Virginia Society of CPAs
  • Common Federal Tax Issues Practitioners Are Seeing Now - Art Werner, JD, MS (Taxation), Werner Rocca Seminars
  • Designing an AI-Ready Firm - Barrett Young, III, CPA and John Benish, Jr., CPA, CGMA, GWCPA
  • Economic Update - Dr. Leonard Arvi, Salisbury University
  • Private Equity in Accounting Firms: Pros, Cons & Lessons Learned - Matthew Bosher, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP
  • Women in the CPA Profession (Roundtable Experience) - Jessica McClain, CPA, CISA, PMP, CGFM, American Staffing Association, Janice Stucke, CPA, CREW Network, Jennifer Elder, CSP, CPA, CGMA, CSCA, AICPA, and Rebekah Olson, CPA, Maryland Association of CPAs

2026 Featured Instructors

Amplify your brand at this year's event

COMPLETE SPONSORSHIP FORM

MACPA Emerge

Hotel Information:

NEWLY RENOVATED Princess Royale

9100 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, Worcester County, Maryland 21842


Event Accommodations

A special room block has been reserved for attendees from Sunday, June 21, 2026, through Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at Princess Royale. If you would like additional nights outside the block, please contact the hotel directly to make those arrangements.

Please use this link to book your room today. Please book your room using the provided link no later than May 25, 2026, our group code is 26CPA.

Special rates are available for suites: Ocean/Pool View Suites at $229.00 and Oceanfront Suites at $289.00.

Check-in is after 5:00 PM, and check-out is before 11:00 AM (baggage storage is available).

EVENT Sponsors

Join Us at The Beach!

Register for sessions and spend time in Ocean City earning CPE and connecting with your professional community.