Conference of Accountants - The University of Tulsa
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CCB Opportunities

Conference of Accountants

2025 Conference of Accountants

The University of Tulsa
Great Hall, Student Union

Dive into the future of accounting at the Conference of Accountants, hosted by The University of Tulsa’s Collins College of Business. Network with top accounting experts, engage with local business and community leaders, and impact future accounting students’ lives through our scholarship fund. Additionally, attendees can earn 13+ hours of CPE for CPA or other certification continuing education requirements.

Photograph of Jim Bridenstine
Jim Bridenstine

Featured Speakers

  • Jim Bridenstine, Former U.S. Representative and NASA Administrator and Managing Partner, The Artemis Group
  • Cindy Byrd, Oklahoma State Auditor
  • Doug Linehan, Executive Director, Oklahoma Tax Commission
  • See the full list of 2025 speakers

About the Conference of Accountants

The Conference of Accountants evolved from a series of annual meetings beginning in 1947 by Professor Emeritus Paul J. Graber. The Collins College of Business at The University of Tulsa acts as host providing event management and facilities (as appropriate) for the event. Since 1950, the conference has been directed by a planning committee composed of representatives of the co-sponsoring professional organizations and by members of UTulsa’s School of Accounting and Business Information Systems. An advisory board, made up of area accounting professionals, provides counsel and assistance.

Conference of Accountants event graphicEach conference typically includes speakers drawn from organizations that impact accounting policy, including:

  • Securities and Exchange Commission
  • Federal Reserve Bank
  • Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
  • Financial Accounting Standards Board
  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Institute of Management Accountants
  • Tax Executives Institute
  • Certified Fraud Examiners
  • Institute of Internal Auditors

Accounting speakers have also been provided by national and regional accounting firms such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, KPMG, Deloitte and Grant Thornton.

Leaders in the business community, representing both local and national companies have participated in our conference as keynote speakers. Past participants from the political arena have included the lieutenant governor, state treasurer, Tulsa mayor and state attorney general.

Many of our speakers have been recommended or provided by our planning committee members who represent the following sponsoring organizations for the conference:

  • Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
  • Financial Executives Institute
  • The Institute of Internal Auditors
  • Institute of Management Accountants
  • Tulsa Chapter, Oklahoma Society of CPAs
  • Tax Executives Institute

Proceeds from the conference are used to provide scholastic awards to promising undergraduate and graduate accounting students. Since 2004, the conference has awarded almost $330,000. Additionally, our attendees can earn up to 15 hours (planned) of CPE for CPA or other certification continuing education requirements. Please check back for CPE updates.

Program Knowledge Level: Basic | Prerequisites: None | Advance Preparation: None

Contact Us

Conference of Accountants
The University of Tulsa
800 S. Tucker Drive
Tulsa, OK 74104
918-631-2215

Email coa@utulsa.edu for more information.

2025 Sponsors

system | one logo

LHH logo

  • Registration & CPE Information

    Early Bird Registration

    Full-session regular: $410
    One-day regular: $205

    Register to attend.

    Early bird registration ends April 25.

    CPE information for in-person attendees

    CPE credits will be available. Details coming soon.

    If attending all sessions, participants will earn 15 CPE credits (planned). Check back for updates.

    Prerequisites: None
    Advanced Preparation: None
    Program Level: Basic
    Delivery Method: Group Live: In-Person

    Conference of Accountants hosted by The University of Tulsa is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.

    Questions

    For questions regarding the program or registration, please contact the Conference of Accountants team at coa@utulsa.edu.

  • 2025 Learning Objectives

    Attendees of the 2025 conference will:

    1. Enhance leadership skills – Gain insights into decision-making and leadership principles that drive integrity and transformation in accounting and business practices.
    2. Stay informed on Oklahoma tax policies – Receive an update from the Oklahoma Tax Commission on regulatory changes, compliance issues, and recent developments affecting businesses and individuals.
    3. Explore Oklahoma’s space economy – Understand the economic impact and opportunities arising from Oklahoma’s role in the space industry renaissance.
    4. Analyze Federal Reserve economic trends – Get a macroeconomic update on interest rates, inflation, and fiscal policy impacts on businesses and financial planning.
    5. Understand state audit processes – Learn about recent initiatives, audits, and findings from the Oklahoma State Auditor’s office that affect government and business compliance.
    6. Optimize HR and recruiting strategies – Engage in a roundtable discussion on best practices for attracting, retaining, and developing accounting and finance talent.
    7. Strengthen cybersecurity awareness – Learn how to protect financial data and business systems from evolving cyber threats and fraud risks.
    8. Harness artificial intelligence in accounting – Explore the impact of AI on financial reporting, auditing, and operational efficiencies in the accounting profession.
    9. Understand accounting for business combinations – Understand essential accounting and valuation considerations for business combinations, and insights on how integrating these disciplines can drive accurate financial reporting.
    10. Detect and prevent fraud – Gain practical tools for forensic accounting, fraud detection, and investigative techniques in financial reporting.
    11. Stay current on federal tax law – Receive a comprehensive federal tax update, including legislative changes, compliance challenges, and tax planning strategies.
    12. Navigate FASB reporting updates – Review the latest Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) updates and their implications for financial statement preparation and compliance.
  • 2025 Speakers
    Full Name Title/Position Organization
    Steven Baskerville Assistant Special Agent in Charge US Secret Service / NCFI Lab
    Jim Bridenstine Former U.S. Representative and NASA Administrator The Artemis Group
    Cindy Byrd State Auditor State Auditor & Inspector’s Office
    Andrew Flis Senior Manager PwC
    Andrea Harman Director of Operations CBIZ
    Stacey James Senior Financial Recruitment Manager SystemOne
    Angela Kouplen Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer OneGas
    Paul Legoudes Managing Director – Valuation Opportune LLP
    Doug Linehan Executive Director Oklahoma Tax Commission
    Lanny Morrow Senior Managing Consultant Forvis Mazars Forensic Intelligence Services
    Randy Nail CEO HoganTaylor LLP
    Jason Schultz Partner of Innovation HoganTaylor LLP
    Matt Smith Managing Director – Financial Reporting Opportune LLP
    Kara Vincent Shareholder Barber & Bartz
    Evan West Tax Partner EY
    Megan Williams Associate Economist and Senior Manager Oklahoma City Branch, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
  • Refund & Program Cancellation Policies

    Refund Policy

    If registration is canceled by May 5, a refund will be granted but subject to a $25 cancellation fee. Registrant will receive full refund minus $25 service fee. No refunds granted after May 6. Substitutions are permitted.

    For information regarding administrative policies or concerns, cancellations, registration substitutions and other inquiries, please contact coa@utulsa.edu or 918-631-2398.

    Program Cancellation Policy

    If the conference or any part of the conference is canceled, all registrants will be notified via email. If there is a speaker or program cancellation or substitution, the conference organizers will notify registrants by email, as well as the conference website.

  • Conference Schedule

    May 20, 2025

    Start Time End Time Session Speaker(s) Presentation Title Presentation Description
    7:30 AM Registration
    8:00 AM 8:15 AM Opening Remarks
    8:15 AM 9:05 AM Session 1 Randy Nail Leading with Heart and Mind: The Power of Ethical Leadership Cultivate an ethical leadership mindset, emphasizing the importance of balancing emotional intelligence with rational decision-making.
    9:05 AM 9:55 AM Session 2 Doug Linehan Oklahoma Tax Commission Journey Overview of the Oklahoma Tax Commission’s journey to rebuild the agency from the ground up.
    9:55 AM 10:20 AM Break
    10:20 AM 11:10 AM Session 3 Jim Bridenstine Oklahoma’s Space Renaissance Explore the economic impact and opportunities arising from Oklahoma’s role in the aerospace industry.
    11:10 AM 12:00 PM Session 4 Megan Williams U.S. and Oklahoma Economic Outlook Overview of the national and regional economy, along with specific indicators for Oklahoma and the U.S.
    12:00 PM 1:00 PM Lunch
    1:00 PM 1:50 PM Session 5 Cindy Byrd Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector Update Recent initiatives, audits, and findings from the Oklahoma State Auditor’s office that affect government and business compliance.
    1:50 PM 3:05 PM Session 6 Stacey James Human Resources and Recruiting Roundtable discussion on best practices for attracting, retaining, and developing accounting and finance talent. Perspectives from industry, public accounting, and recruiting.
    Angela Kouplen
    Andrea Harman
    3:05 PM 3:30 PM Break
    3:30 PM 4:45 PM Session 7 Timothy J. Hunt Business e-mail compromises: how criminals compromise your trust to steal billions, and how to stop it. Business E-Mail Compromises (BEC) cases are a type of criminal scam that result in the theft of billions of dollars from companies every year.  How the scams work, how financial professionals can protect the companies they work for, and when you need to contact law enforcement.

    May 21, 2025

    Start Time End Time Session Speaker(s) Presentation Title Presentation Description
    Start Time End Time Session Speaker(s) Presentation Title Presentation Description
    7:45 AM Registration
    8:15 AM 8:30 AM Opening Remarks
    8:30 AM 9:20 AM Session 8 Jason Shultz Beyond the Hype: How CPAs Can Practically Adopt AI Move past the buzzwords and uncover realistic, cost-conscious ways CPAs can benefit from AI and data analytics. Leave with clear guidance on implementing AI in your daily practice—without compromising on quality or privacy.
    9:20 AM 10:10 AM Session 9 Matt Smith and Paul Legoudes Bridging the Divide: Integrating Accounting and Valuation for Business Combinations Highlight essential accounting and valuation considerations for business combinations, offering insights on how integrating these disciplines can drive accurate financial reporting.
    10:10 AM 10:35 AM Break
    10:35 AM 11:50 AM Session 10 Kara Vincent Mom Loved You Best, Exploring Estate and Trust Asset Misappropriation Positions and documents associated with estate planning and the ways in which they can be misused to misappropriate assets.
    11:50 AM 1:00 PM Lunch
    1:00 PM 1:50 PM Session 11 Andrew Flis FASB Reporting Update Review the latest Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) updates and their implications for financial statement preparation and compliance.
    1:50 PM 2:40 PM Session 12 Evan West Federal Tax Law Federal tax update, including legislative changes, compliance challenges, and tax planning strategies
    2:40 PM 3:05 PM Break
    3:05 PM 4:20 PM Session 13 Lanny Morrow FORVIS No Longer the Victim – Using Advanced Technologies to Proactively Identify Fraud and Risk Despite best efforts to detect fraud and risk, internal and external fraudsters continue to get the best of organizations.  Practical advice on how to blend the correct mindset, feasible technologies, and actionable techniques into a proactive fraud detection program for your organization.

Learn more

UTulsa Accounting Programs 

UTulsa Graduate Business Programs 

School of Accounting & Business Information Systems