NJCPA Convention & Expo: Your Story. Your Success.

The 2024 NJCPA Convention & Expo, which will take place June 11 to 14 at the Borgata in Atlantic City, will bring together inspirational keynote speakers and representatives from industry, accounting firms, government and academia who will share their stories of leadership, business growth and innovation. The sessions will include practical applications of artificial intelligence (AI), how to maneuver the latest audit regulations, ways to unlock one’s leadership potential, how to foster better communication skills and finding CPA pipeline solutions.

Keynote speaker Matthew Luhn, a director, writer, story consultant and a 20-year Pixar story veteran, will show how storytelling can bridge the gap between business and emotion, effectively explaining how one’s story can become an unforgettable selling point. According to Luhn, “storytelling is the number-one business skill necessary to connect, motivate and lead people in today’s world.” He explains that stories compel us to engage in experiences, learn lessons and define our values and ourselves within our organization.

Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CPA.CITP, CGMA, CIA, CISA, the founder and chief executive officer of KET Solutions LLC and former chair of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), will enlighten attendees on what it takes to overcome challenges in the accounting profession to grow, innovate and inspire. She expects to shine “a light on resilience, adaptability and the relentless pursuit of excellence” and to show how accounting professionals can make a difference in the lives of the public, businesses and communities.

John Higgins, CPA.CITP, founder and CEO of Higgins Advisory, LLC, will relate one’s story to the use of AI and explain how generative AI applications, such as ChatGPT, are well-suited to assist in every aspect of an accountant’s strategic planning. “This tool can help you generate suggestions to help establish your practice’s strategic vision, the specific initiatives needed to achieve the vision and generate the narrative to communicate your strategic plan internally and externally. This can accelerate the planning process and improve the quality of the plan itself,” said Higgins. “The key word is ‘assist,’” he added, noting “generative AI applications augment your professional skills, knowledge and judgement; they do not replace them!”

Good listeners, however, can “differentiate themselves from AI in their ability to understand and connect with others,” according to Sandra Bodin-Lerner, MA, communication coach and principal at Be Compelling! LLC. “AI hears but does not listen,” she explains. In her presentation, she will focus on the cost of poor listening. “When you listen first to others’ stories, you are able to gather valuable data regarding their needs, beliefs and resources. This enables you to develop more-informed, relevant and effective responses — or stories. The good news is that listening is a skill and can be learned,” she adds.

This year’s Convention will feature a special panel focused the profession’s ability to attract and retain promising young professionals. Led by NJCPA CEO and executive director Aiysha (AJ) Johnson, MA, IOM, the discussion will focus on what the NJCPA and its partners are doing to reverse a drying pipeline, advocacy efforts that are underway and what every CPA can do to help.

The four-day event will also include an economic discussion with Scott Clemons, CFA, a partner and chief investment strategist at Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., a New Jersey business and economic roundtable, and plenty of networking opportunities and entertainment from The Barnstorm.

Learn more about the Convention and register at njcpa.org/convention.