Marty Finn, CPA/PFS, J.D., LL.M., is an ENGAGE co-chair, focusing on tax, personal financial planning, and estate planning topics for the event, which begins June 3. Finn got his start on conference committees after meeting Sid Kess, a legendary tax practitioner and mentor who died in September at age 97.

The advice of Kess has stuck with Finn, and Finn believes that an emphasis on top-notch speakers and topics is what has made ENGAGE and its predecessor events valuable to CPAs for years.

Resources:

• ENGAGE registration information and agenda
• A remembrance of Sid Kess, by Andrea Millar, CPA/PFS
• "Summing Up Sid" podcast episode from September
• Longtime AICPA CEO Barry Melancon announces his retirement

What you'll learn from this episode:

• First, a word on the news of the week: AICPA CEO Barry Melancon announces plan to retire.
• Melancon is scheduled to be at ENGAGE, a signature AICPA event that Finn looks forward to each year.
• Finn's explanation of the Sid Kess Rule.
• The topics that are expected to be addressed in a panel discussion that Finn will moderate.
• The importance of, and timeline for, the sunset of several key provisions of the legislation known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
• Why Finn says that the opportunities for tax-focused CPAs in the area of advisory services will continue to grow.
• One last bit of Kess advice for getting the most out of conference attendance.