In this special edition episode, Mark Peterson, AICPA EVP-Advocacy, and Melanie Lauridsen, AICPA VP-Tax Policy and Advocacy, break down the latest news from D.C. and provide key resources to help you and your clients navigate the uncertainty.

Listen to this #AICPATownHall episode as AICPA CEO Mark Koziel returns to provide an update on key profession opportunities being discussed at the AICPA Fall Council meeting. Plus, we'll continue the conversation on the government shutdown and current state of the IRS, and dive into top issues for small firms

A special edition AICPA Town Hall focused on the government shutdown.

Speakers:

· Lisa Simpson, VP – Firm Services, AICPA

· Mark Peterson, EVP – Advocacy, AICPA

· Melanie Lauridsen, VP, Tax Policy & Advocacy, AICPA

· Lindsey Kennimer, Sr. Director – Governmental Auditing & Accounting, AICPA

· Dan Noll, VP, Financial Reporting & Audit Quality, AICPA

· Jason Brodmerkel, Sr. Manager – Accounting Standards, AICPA

· Stephanie Otero, VP, Small Firm Advocate, AICPA

· Sue Hicks, Director, Employee Benefit Plan Auditing & Accounting, AICPA

Topics include:

• Federal shutdown update

• Tariff and trade updates

• Exploring the evolving digital assets accounting landscape

• Latest technical guidance

Speakers:

• Erik Asgeirsson, President & CEO, CPA.com

• Mark Koziel, President & CEO, AICPA

• Mark Peterson, EVP, Advocacy, AICPA

• Lisa Simpson, VP, Firm Services, AICPA

• Ami Beers, Senior Director, Assurance and Advisory Innovation, AICPA

• Ron Quaranta, Founder & Chairman, Wall Street Blockchain Alliance

Topics:

Key DC updates

An economic outlook for the rest of 2025

Technical updates

Results from the 2025 AICPA PCPS National Management of an Accounting Practice (MAP) Survey

Speakers:

Erik Asgeirsson, President & CEO, CPA.com

Mark Peterson, EVP, Advocacy, AICPA

Lisa Simpson, VP, Firm Services, AICPA

Melanie Lauridsen, VP, Tax Policy & Advocacy, AICPA

Erin Hartman, Senior Manager, Firm Services – Public Accounting, AICPA

Marci Rossell, Expert Economic Adviser

Topics include:

• Key DC updates

• AI, tech and transformation trends in accounting

• Technical updates

Speakers:

• Erik Asgeirsson, President & CEO, CPA.com

• Mark Koziel, President & CEO, AICPA

• Lisa Simpson, VP, Firm Services, AICPA

• Rachel Dresen, Senior Director of Congressional & Political Affairs, AICPA

• Sarah Ference, Risk Control Director, Accountants, CNA Insurance

• Nicole Graham, Risk Consultant, Aon

Topics include:

• Key DC and technical updates

• IRS modernization efforts

• The shifting role of the CFO

Speakers:

• Michael Cerami, EVP, CPA.com

• Lisa Simpson, VP, Firm Services, AICPA

• Mark Peterson, EVP, Advocacy, AICPA

• Tom Hood, EVP, Business Growth and Engagement, AICPA

• Melanie Lauridsen, VP, Tax Policy & Advocacy, AICPA

• Daniel Werfel, Former Commissioner, IRS

Topics include:

• Key DC and technical updates

• Current hiring trends and what they mean for your firm or business

• Changes that firms can make now to improve next year's tax season

Speakers:

• Michael Cerami, EVP, CPA.com

• Lisa Simpson, VP, Firm Services, AICPA

• Rachel Dresen, Senior Director of Congressional & Political Affairs, AICPA

• Erin Hartman, Senior Manager, Firm Services - PCPS, AICPA

• Steve Saah, Executive Director, Finance & Accounting - Permanent Placement, Robert Half

• Brenda Cannon, Co-founder & Partner, Cannon & Associates, CPAs

Topics include:

• Tax law decoded: What's changing and how the IRS will apply it

• Firm governance: Practical ideas to support adaptability and long-term growth

• Key DC and technical updates

Speakers:

• Michael Cerami, EVP, CPA.com

• Mark Peterson, EVP, Advocacy, AICPA

• Melanie Lauridsen, VP, Tax Policy & Advocacy, AICPA

• Erin Hartman, Senior Manager, Firm Services - PCPS, AICPA

• Terry Lemons, former Communications and Liaison Chief, IRS

• Sarah Johnson Dobek, Founder & President, Inovautus Consulting

• Gary Thomson, Founder, Thomson Consulting

Speakers

• Mark Peterson, EVP, Advocacy, AICPA
• Melanie Lauridsen, VP, Tax Policy & Advocacy, AICPA
• Lisa Simpson, VP, Firm Services, AICPA
• Jan Lewis, Partner, BMSS Advisors & CPAs, AICPA

Topics

• DC update
• H.R. 1: Key tax law provisions
• Beyond the law: Implementation
• Communicating with your clients