Mid-Atlantic Coastal Conference

Arthur Joseph Werner, J.D., M.S. (Taxation)

Arthur Joseph Werner, JD, MS (Taxation), is the president and is a shareholder in the lecture firm of Werner-Rocca Seminars, Ltd. Mr. Werner’s lecture topic specialties include business, tax, financial and estate planning for high net worth individuals.

In addition, Mr. Werner is a former adjunct professor of taxation in the Master of Science in Taxation program at the Philadelphia University.

Mr. Werner received his B.S. in Accounting and his M.S. in Taxation from Widener University. He holds a J.D. in Law from the Delaware Law School. Mr. Werner lectures extensively in the areas of Estate Planning, Financial Planning, and Estate and Gift Taxation to Certified Public Accountants and Financial Planners and has presented more than 3000 eight-hour seminars over the past twenty-five years as well as numerous webinars and video presentations. Mr. Werner has been rated as having the highest speaker knowledge in his home state of Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, was awarded the AICPA Outstanding Discussion Leader Award in the State of Nevada, the Florida Institute of CPAs Outstanding Discussion Leader Award, and the South Carolina Association of CPAs Outstanding Discussion Leader Award.

Jennifer Elder, CPA, CMA, CIA, CFF, CGMA is a keynote speaker, trainer, and business coach dedicated to business transformation. For more than 20 years, she has been helping businesses by peeling back the layers of “administrivia” and finding the hidden strengths and core values that make you and your company awesome. Ms. Elder works with businesses to develop a compelling business strategy that is quick to implement that transforms your company from what you are now to what you have always wanted to be. Known for being energetic and enthusiastic, Ms. Elder has been delivering high-quality, customized training that make complicated topics easy to understand, relevant, and useful for years. She has conducted seminars for the Fortune 500, US Government, State CPA Societies, and CPA Firms in 33 states. Her sessions are highly interactive, full of discussion, and even entertaining. Ms. Elder received her BA from the University of Massachusetts and an MS in Organizational Management from Antioch University New England.

John is the founder and CEO of Higgins Advisory, LLC, established with the mission of helping CPAs, CFOs and other financial professionals to successfully guide their firms and business organizations through a successful digital transformation that leverages the power of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, data analytics, workflow automation and more. 

John is a seasoned entrepreneur with experience as the founder of two separate accounting technology advisory firms that were acquired by larger organizations. In addition, he has experience with a local CPA firm and as a technology advisory practice leader partner in a national CPA firm. John shares his expertise as a nationally recognized thought leader, strategic advisor, and speaker on accounting technology through coaching and speaking engagements. His primary contribution is his passion for helping the profession move forward through the understanding and adoption of emerging technologies. 

Some of John's notable accomplishments include: * Co-founder of CPA Crossings, LLC, a national provider of CPA technology advisory and educational services * Founder of Computools, Inc. a provider of financial and ERP solutions for small and mid-size businesses * Strategic technology advisor to CPA firms * AICPA Business & Industry CPA Hall of Fame inductee * Top 25 Thought Leader recognition by the _CPA Practice Advisor magazine_ (2011 - 2023) * Nationally recognized speaker on accounting technology * National technology advisory partner with BDO, LLP * Past Chair of the Michigan Association of CPAs * Michigan Association of CPAs Innovative User of Technology award * Co-author of _10 Steps to a Digital Practice in the Cloud_, published by the AICPA * Contributing author to _The Insiders' Guide to Accounting Advisory Success _on Amazon