2026 SL CPE Day Speakers

Kathleen Kelly, CRPS®, AIFA® Compass Financial Partners, a Division of MMA Securities LLC, Managing Partner

Fiduciary Risk, Responsibility and Opportunity: Implications for Retirement Plan Sponsors

Field of Study - Information Technology; Program Level - Intermediate

Retirement plan fiduciaries are operating in a higher-scrutiny environment, where fees, investment oversight, vendor selection, and participant outcomes can all become flashpoints. This engaging session reframes fiduciary duty as more than risk avoidance: it’s also an opportunity to strengthen governance and improve workforce financial outcomes.

Designed for CPAs supporting plan sponsor clients and plan fiduciaries themselves, we’ll translate today’s fiduciary expectations into practical actions—how to identify common gaps, document a prudent process, and reduce exposure while still making meaningful, measurable plan improvementsmer quote, or to talk about important news.

Scott Bosworth, Head of Dimensional Speaker’s Bureau, Dimensional Fund Advisors

Psychology of Investing: Implications of Investor Behavior

Field of Study - Finance; Program Level - Intermediate

Investors often perceive their returns as a purely quantitative result of markets, risk, timing, or expertise. But emotions and behaviors can play an equally important role in performance. This presentation reviews the history and principles of behavioral psychology and explores the influence of emotion on decision-making. Using real life examples, we compare and contrast an investor’s narrative to that of a speculator and offer a framework for bridging behavioral finance and market efficiency.

Smith Leonard Assurance Team Panel

2026 Accounting Update for Private Companies

Field of Study - Accounting; Program Level - Intermediate

This private company accounting update will focus on the latest trends and upcoming rule changes to allow you to effectively plan for 2026 and beyond.

Joe Oringel, CPA. CIA, Co-Founder, Visual Risk IQ

Ethical AI Practices for CPAs: Ensuring Responsible Use

Field of Study - Ethics - Behavioral; Program Level - Overview

As generative and agentic AI become embedded in accounting workflows, ethical judgment matters more than ever. This practical, discussion-driven ethics class explores how AI is being used today—and how it will soon be used—in public accounting firms and corporate finance teams.

Alison Townsend, Head of Treasury and Payments, SVP at United Community Bank

Cash, Risk & Growth: The Modern Finance

Field of Study - Economics; Program Level - Overview

As a banking leader working with businesses across a variety of industries, Alison Townsend will share the trends and challenges she sees finance teams navigating every day. From liquidity management and working capital optimization to fraud prevention, AI adoption, and payments modernization, finance organizations are being asked to do more than ever before.

Drawing on industry insights and real-world client experiences, this session will explore how leading finance teams are leveraging technology, treasury strategies, and process improvements to enhance cash flow visibility, reduce risk, improve efficiency, and support sustainable growth.

SL Tax Partners: Patrick Willis & Ben Duckett

2026 Tax Update

Field of Study - Taxes; Program Level - Intermediate

With the dust still settling from several politically driven tax landscape changes over the past number of years, Ben Duckett and Patrick Willis, Tax Partners with the firm, will dive into recent technical and procedural IRS updates, state responses to federal legislative changes, and case law developments. Join us as we once again delve into latest updates and tips on how to best plan for 2027.

Mubarak Shah, Smith Leonard, Natalie Folmar & Cory Rayborn, Tuggle Duggins, Attorneys at Law

Current Trends in Mergers & Acquisitions / Corporate Governance Best Practices (and Easy Traps)

Field of Study - Business Law; Program Level - Intermediate

Join this panel for an insightful discussion on today’s fast-moving M&A landscape. They’ll break down the latest trends and deal considerations shaping transactions, from evolving market dynamics to practical issues companies should anticipate when pursuing growth through acquisition. The conversation will then shift to corporate governance, where the panel will highlight essential best practices and common pitfalls that every business should revisit regularly to ensure compliance, reduce risk, and strengthen long-term operations.