Accounting Educators Conference (VIRTUAL)
Overview
The Iowa Society of CPAs - in partnership with the Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS) - is excited to announce the 2026 Accounting Educator Conference. The event is July 22 and we'd love for you to join us virtually. Included in your conference registration is a complimentary one-year ISCPA membership! You must use your .edu email address to register for this event. This event is for educators only.
Join fellow accounting educators for a timely, practical look at the biggest issues shaping our classrooms and the profession. We’ll explore the rapidly changing state of CPA pathways, accounting technology, and the student hiring landscape - with practical strategies to implement next term. Leave with new ideas, real-world strategies, and meaningful connections that will make a difference.
2026 Agenda
Registration & Welcome | 8:30-9:00am
Check in begins. In-person attendees can enjoy coffee and light snacks. The program will begin promptly at 9:00am.
State of the CPA: Pathways, the Profession, and More | 9:00-9:30am
Geof Brown, Illinois CPA Society
Carrie Steffen, Iowa Society of CPAs
Jan Taylor and Alexis Rothberg, AICPA
Illinois’ new CPA pathways will officially start on January 1, 2027—which means the time to prepare is now. Learn more about the implementation and execution of the new pathways legislation, alongside updates from partner organizations about key regional and national initiatives.
Teaching Students to Learn: Designing Accounting Courses for Today's Students and Tomorrow's Profession | 9:30-11:30am
Jill Mitchell, Lecturer, University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce (Presenting on behalf of the American Accounting Association [AAA])
Teaching accounting has always required balancing content rigor with student engagement, but today's students and tomorrow's profession are both changing faster than most of our courses are. This session is grounded in two foundational principles from instructional design: motivation must be established, and cognitive load must be managed. Participants will leave with immediately actionable strategies spanning engagement, course design, and AI integration, applicable across course levels, class sizes, and institutional contexts.
Networking Lunch | 11:30am-12:15pm
In-person attendees are invited to enjoy lunch and connect with each other. Virtual attendees are encouraged to take a break and return for the afternoon session by 12:15pm.
Inside the Recruiting Shift: What Firms Need Now | 12:15-1:30pm
Moderator and Panelists TBC
The accounting internship process has undergone significant transformation. With increased competition for top candidates, evolving workforce needs, and firms hiring earlier than ever, the traditional recruiting timeline—and student experience—has shifted dramatically. Recruitment leaders from various firms will share candid insights on what’s driving change, hiring, and how students can truly stand out in today’s environment. This conversation will also explore how faculty and academic programs can better prepare students to navigate recruiting timelines, build relevant skills, and successfully launch their careers.
This is a must-attend event for anyone in academia shaping the future of the profession.
3.5 hours of CPE available.
Leader(s):
Leader Bios
Carrie Steffen, CEO, Iowa Society of CPAs
Carrie Steffen brings more than 25 years of experience in the accounting profession to the Iowa Society of CPAs (ISCPA), where she serves as CEO. Prior to joining ISCPA, she was the co-founder and president of The Whetstone Group, where she helped firms of all sizes - from sole practitioners to top national firms - achieve sustainable growth through strategic leadership, business development, and practice management initiatives. She has not only influenced firm leaders, but also shaped thousands of professional staff, marketing resources and other industry consultants through her speaking and training efforts. Prior to The Whetstone Group, Steffen was a national marketing director for RSM US LLP.
She has been named to the Association for Accounting Marketing Hall of Fame, Accounting Today's Top 100 Most Influential Consultant to Watch list and the Corridor Business Journal 40 Under 40 List. Steffen is a member and past president of CPA Consultants' Alliance (CPACA) and has held various roles with the National Association for Accounting Marketing (AAM) including board member, treasurer, finance committee chair, and education committee chair. She's a frequent guest on industry leading podcasts including the Accounting Today podcast, AICPA's Small Firm Podcast and has been a featured guest on the AICPA's Town Hall. Steffen has been widely published in Accounting Today, INSIDE Public Accounting, The AICPA's Journal of Accountancy, AAM's MarkeTrends: The Journal of Accounting Marketing, CPA Practice Management Forum and numerous state society and accounting network publications. She is also co-author of the book "Bridging the Gap: Strengthening the Connection between Current Emerging Leaders." She has presented for the AICPA, the Association for Accounting Marketing's (AAM) Annual Summit, and various state CPA society events.
Non-Member Price $25.00
Member Price $25.00