17 Must-Attend Accounting Conferences for 2024
Over 75% of accounting firms have fewer than 5 employees.
The small size of most firms means limited opportunities for connecting with peers, networking, and earning continuing education credits.
Which is why accounting conferences are an excellent opportunity to fill this void and achieve these goals.
Whether you’re looking to obtain new industry knowledge, further your accounting education, learn about a new field, or earn some CPE credits, you’ll find there are several 2024 conferences available to help you achieve your goals.
Here’s our list of the must-attend accounting conferences in the U.S. for 2024 (listed chronologically by date).
Note that this list focuses mainly on in-person conferences since networking opportunities are a bit more challenging in virtual conferences.
RightNOW
Rightworks is hosting its mid-year conference for accounting and tax professionals this May.
The event promises to provide attendees with the essential industry insights, strategies, and best practices needed to grow a modern accounting firm, including a lineup of top industry influencers and thought leaders to guide discussions on what’s new in the field.
Attendees can earn CPE credits while collaborating with peers and learning about hot topics in the industry like AI, tech stack automation, productivity, leadership, mergers and acquisitions, and cybersecurity. There’s truly something for everyone at this conference.
Best for: Firm owners, their employees, and all accounting and tax professionals
Location: Austin, TX
Dates: May 14–16, 2024
AICPA Engage
This conference features 9 different educational tracks, including Corporate Finance and Controllers, Advanced Accounting and Auditing, EDGE Career Development, and Tax Strategies for the High-Income Individual.
The separate tracks give you the opportunity to connect with other professionals in your chosen field.
With more than 4 days of content included and continuing education credits available, this conference is a solid choice for staying abreast of industry developments no matter where you are in your career.
Best for: CPAs, whether working in-house or in public accounting
Location: Las Vegas, NV and online
Dates: June 3–6, 2024
IMA24
This summer, accounting and finance leaders join together for the IMA24 conference. The 2-day event hopes to inspire attendees with notable keynote sessions, workshops, and collaborative networking opportunities with industry peers and thought leaders.
Attendees can choose from 8 specialty tracks to fit their career goals and needs, which include ethics, academia and research, business acumen and operations, technology and analytics, and more.
Best for: Accounting and finance professionals
Location: San Antonio, TX
Dates: June 9–12, 2024
Scaling New Heights
Scaling New Heights is one of the leading accounting technology events of the year. This 4-day conference consists of advanced education, networking with more than 1,000 accounting professionals, and an exploration of the latest technology and challenges disrupting the field.
This year, the event hosts acknowledge the unprecedented environment accountants find themselves in, from staffing issues to technology changes, and aim to equip attendees with the expertise and tools they need to thrive.
That includes a technology expo with access to over 100 accounting solutions, training in leading accounting programs like QuickBooks Online, Zoho Books, and Xero, keynote presentations, and more.
Best for: Owners of small- or medium-sized accounting or bookkeeping firms
Location: Orlando, FL
Dates: June 16–19, 2024
BKX
BKX is the only in-person conference held exclusively for bookkeeping professionals to help them network with industry peers and gain insights into growing their businesses. Attendees can choose from 3 educational tracks based on their firm size: marketing, workflows, and team.
Best for: Bookkeeping firm owners
Location: Orlando, FL
Dates: June 25–27, 2024
Bridging the Gap
This year, the 2nd annual Bridging the Gap Conference kicks off in the Windy City. Like many others on this list, the conference features plenty of opportunities for networking, earning CPE credits, and learning about the latest trends in the accounting field.
However, this event also offers a unique focus on bridging generational gaps in the industry, hosting discussions on notable topics like work-life balance and physical and mental well-being. They’re also making a digital access pass available for those who wish to attend virtually.
Best for: All accounting professionals
Location: Chicago, IL and online
Dates: July 22–24, 2024
Taxposium 2024
The biggest dedicated event for tax professionals across the United States is the NATP’s Taxposium.
The event features discussions on the hottest trends in the industry, over 50 expo booths, professional and personal wellness seminars, online access to TaxCon, engaging speeches from thought leaders, a social lounge for networking, and more.
Best for: Tax accountants
Location: Orlando, FL
Dates: July 22–24, 2024
American Accounting Association Annual Meeting
The American Accounting Association Annual Meeting consists of 3 days of in-person sessions, with an overall theme this year of revolutionizing accounting education to address the ongoing accounting pipeline challenges.
There will also be panels discussing current topics in the field, like generative AI, data analytics and technology, ESG, and more.
The large number of attendees from across the U.S. and around the world makes this conference an ideal destination for networking and education about the industry’s future.
Best for: Small business firm owners and employees
Location: Washington, D.C.
Dates: August 12–14, 2024
Las Vegas Tax Forums & Expo
One of the shorter conferences on our list, the Las Vegas Tax Forums & Expo still packs a big punch. Along with justifying a trip to Vegas, this forum features two full days of tax-related material.
Taxes might be a dry topic, but the speakers include many real-world examples to make the content engaging and approachable. Because tax laws are constantly evolving, the content is fresh each year.
Best for: Tax professionals
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Dates: September 18–19, 2024
Women Who Count
AFWA’s annual conference brings together hundreds of women professionals from across the accounting and finance industry for 4 days of networking and education. Conference speakers cover topics like accounting, tax, finance, leadership, communications, and more.
Best for: Accounting and finance professionals
Location: Hilton Head Island, SC
Dates: October 23–26, 2024
NASBA Annual Meeting
The NASBA Annual Meeting celebrates its 117th meeting this year. As one of the longest-running accounting conferences, they know how to conduct a successful event. The focus of this conference is on accounting education, licensure, and CPA exams.
Though this conference is best for the education directors at the big four or people involved in state accountancy boards, anyone who has a vested interest in the future of CPA licensure might benefit from attending.
Best for: Big 4 Accounting Education Departments or state accountancy board employees
Location: Orlando, FL
Dates: October 27–30, 2024
AICPA & CIMA Forensic & Valuation Services Conference
The Forensic and Valuation Services conference brings together accounting professionals in these specific fields for 4 days of networking and insights from thought leaders in the field.
Topics of discussion include the issues experienced by forensic and valuation accounting professionals.
Best for: Forensic and valuation accountants
Location: Dallas, TX and online
Dates: October 28–31, 2024
Synergy
Thomson Reuters’ Syngery event provides tax and accounting professionals with 4 days of interactive learning and networking opportunities.
With a keynote speech from Barbara Corcoran and 165 unique breakout sessions to choose from, attendees can learn about the industry’s future from experts around the country while earning CPE credits.
Best for: Tax accountants, CPAs, and all other accounting professionals
Location: Orlando, FL
Dates: November 6–9, 2024
DCPA24
This year’s Digital CPA Conference is slated to be an important event for those interested in innovation and the future of the accounting field.
From engaging sessions and keynote speeches to networking opportunities, this is the place to be for firm owners looking to adapt to the changing times.
Best for: CPAs and firms offering client accounting services (CAS)
Location: Denver, CO and online
Dates: December 8–11, 2024
QuickBooks Connect
The annual QuickBooks Connect conference is where you can learn about the latest QuickBooks product developments from Intuit leaders and gather insights on the changing landscape of the accounting field.
Attendees can use the conference to connect and engage with industry peers, sharing tips and strategies for growing their firms.
Best for: All accountants and bookkeepers
Location: TBD
Dates: TBD
Deloitte Tax Accounting Conference
Deloitte’s Tax Accounting Conference offers continuing education credits for tax professionals. Sessions are meant to be attended live to allow for questions and discussion among attendees.
Previous topics have included Tax Accounting Essentials, Tax Accounting International Essentials, Tax Accounting International Complexities, and Tax Accounting Complexities.
Best for: Tax accountants
Location: TBD
Dates: TBD
PICPA Accounting and Auditing Conference
The PICPA Accounting and Auditing Conference, held via webcast, focuses on topics relevant to corporate accountants and auditors.
There are several concurrent sessions to choose from, and previous topics have included the use of technology in audits, internal controls, financial statement disclosures, SOX, and managing audit teams.
Best for: Corporate accountants and auditors
Location: Virtual
Dates: TBD
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