In today’s world where almost everything can be done online, it can be easy to talk yourself out of in-person events like conferences.
You shouldn’t!
There are things that happen at accounting conferences that a webinar, a podcast, or a YouTube video just can’t replicate.
That can mean a new client…
A peer connection who’s already solved the problem you’ve been stuck on for months…
Or an idea that changes how you run your firm.
(That’s a pretty good return on a few days out of the office!)
There are a lot of events to choose from, so I’ve pulled together what I consider the best accounting conferences for firm owners specifically…
Whether this is your first time to attend accounting conferences or you’re a seasoned regular.
Let’s go!
10-Second Growth Tip Before You Book a Conference
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Now, the conferences on this list are worth your money.
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The Top Accounting Conferences to Attend in 2026
1. AICPA Engage
Event format: In-person (with virtual options)
AICPA Engage is one of the biggest conferences for accounting professionals, serving accounting firms and AICPA members.
Most sessions cover skills that move the revenue needle forward for accounting practices, like better serving high net-worth individuals, advanced estate planning, and tech-related issues.
This event is one of the biggest conferences for accounting professionals. I also attended it in 2019.
Key Benefits:
- Advanced industry training in things not always covered in other events, like security in a digital world.
- Accounting-specific topics to improve the function, diversity, and culture of your firm.
2. The One National Conference (CPA Canada)
Event format: In-person (with virtual options)
The One National Conference is arguably Canada’s premier accounting event, hosted by CPA Canada.
It has a distinct focus on education in the accounting profession with a high-energy lineup of speakers and tracks.
The benefit for Canadian firm owners is the obvious direct focus on local issues.
With CPA Canada’s backing, the event is able to offer plenty of CPD hours, plus gleaned insights from their 200,000+ members for top-tier content.
Key Benefits:
- A unique and enjoyable opportunity to gain CPD hours.
- Canadian CPAs will appreciate the Canada-specific networking and education.
3. GrowCon
Event format: In-person
GrowCon is built specifically for owners of bookkeeping, accounting, and tax firms.
The focus is squarely on growth, like how to scale your firm, improve your systems, and run a better business.
Sessions range from technology trends to staffing and service challenges that firm owners deal with every day.
Key Benefits:
- One of the few conferences designed exclusively for firm owners rather than accountants in general.
- Practical, actionable content focused on taking your firm to the next level.
4. AFP Treasury & Finance Conference
Event format: In-person (with virtual options)
AFP offers both in-person and virtual attendance.
Many accounting conferences offer recordings or remote access to sessions, but the Treasury & Finance conference has two separate, yet valuable tracks.
It’s almost two events happening simultaneously.
Many of the speaker sessions cross over, but AFP creates virtual exhibit halls and round tables for those attending from home or the office.
Key Benefits:
- You’ll get a catered experience regardless of how you attend.
- They have a dedicated blog to discuss current and previous conferences and stay up to date with the next.
5. Intuit Connect
Event format: In-person
Intuit Connect (formerly QuickBooks Connect) is one of the top accounting conferences in the world in terms of reach.
It may be the broadest one on this list, as it extends well beyond the accounting space and is particularly well-suited for multi-service accounting firms.
It usually has some pretty high-profile guests and plenty of interesting ideas.
This is one I usually attend.
I have enjoyed not only the speakers but also a good amount of product updates and major developments.
Key benefits:
- You’ll get the latest updates and trends in the accounting industry.
- They bring in A-list talent as keynote speakers (Hello, Ashton Kutcher and Queen Latifah!).
6. Karbon Next
Karbon Next is an exclusive gathering for progressive accounting firm owners, senior leaders, and industry champions who want to connect with peers, hear from industry trailblazers, and get a direct look at where practice management is heading.
While most tickets are reserved for Karbon customers, a select number are made available for firm owners who don’t yet use the platform.
Key Benefits:
- A genuinely intimate event that draws serious firm leaders rather than a broad general audience.
- Direct access to the Karbon leadership team and their product roadmap gives attendees a real window into the future of practice management.
7. WorkflowCon
Event format: Virtual (free to attend)
Hosted by Financial Cents, WorkflowCon focuses on helping accounting, bookkeeping and tax professionals streamline internal workflows, improve team collaboration, and scale their practices efficiently.
The event is free and packed with actionable insights from industry experts and firm owners who’ve done the work.
Key Benefits:
- You’ll learn automation strategies to save time and reduce bottlenecks in your firm.
- Practical advice on client onboarding, team task management, and internal systems.
- All sessions for free, including replays, templates, and bonus materials.
8. Ignite Conference
CPB Canada hosts the annual Ignite conference, which provides a strong networking opportunity for Canadian firms that offer bookkeeping services.
This accounting conference is one of the top choices for Canadian accounting and finance professionals.
They provide breakout sessions, helpful speakers, and plenty of networking opportunities.
Key Benefits:
- They have specific vendors helpful for Canadian firms.
- The cost structure is very reasonable.
9. Accounting Today’s Firm Growth Forum
Event format: In-person
Put on by Accounting Today, the Firm Growth Forum is built around one thing: growing your firm.
Sessions cover advisory services, AI adoption, technology, staffing, and business development.
It’s a smaller, more focused event, which means the conversations tend to be more substantive and the networking more targeted than you’d get at a larger conference.
Key Benefits:
- Content is aimed squarely at firm owners and leaders rather than accountants in general, so sessions are relevant from start to finish.
- Includes recognition of the fastest-growing firms in the profession, which makes for genuinely inspiring conversations on the floor.
10. Digital CPA (DCPA)
Event format: In-person (with virtual options)
DCPA is put on by CPA.com, which is under the umbrella of the AICPA.
It is firmly geared towards tech in the accounting industry.
It’s great for audit and tax professionals who provide cloud-based reporting and client advisory services to global clients.
DCPA is really focused on practical and technical things. These include project management, client success, and remote work.
Key Benefits:
- Possibly the most actionable recommendations, from tweaking your financial reporting process to professional development.
- A solid intention to help tax and accounting professionals grow, both in the number of clients and the amount of revenue per client.
11. Xerocon
Event format: In-person and a free virtual pass
Xerocon is a well-known accounting conference, put on (obviously) by accounting software trend-setter Xero.
One of the best accounting trade shows, this is truly one of my favorite conferences of the year.
It’s forward-thinking and worth the time, with sessions that dive into emerging trends in cloud accounting and the tools shaping the profession.
It’s also an affordable option, with conference admission lower than many of the other events on the list.
While there are specific elements related to your firm, Xerocon points attendees toward making connections and getting inspired before they head back to the office.
Key Benefits:
- Xerocon moves around to different locations each year, which may make it more accessible depending on where you’re based.
- The free virtual pass option means you can get value from the event even if travel isn’t on the cards.
12. Scaling New Heights
Event format: In-person
This unique event, from Joe Woodard, is aptly called Scaling New Heights.
It’s one of the larger gatherings in the profession, designed to help accounting and bookkeeping professionals think about the future of accounting technology and pull themselves out of the day-to-day grind.
Key Benefits:
- Adjustable training tracks include basic, intermediate, and advanced, depending on what you’d like to learn.
- Partner training is available through third-party vendors, giving you hands-on exposure to the tools you’re already using or considering.
13. REFRAME
Event format: In-person
REFRAME is put on by Hector Garcia and Carlos Garcia, and is built for accounting professionals who want to rethink how they price, communicate, and deliver value to clients.
The focus isn’t on compliance or tech stacks but on how you position yourself, how you have difficult conversations, and how you build a practice that actually reflects what you’re worth.
Key Benefits:
- Thought-provoking speakers who push back on conventional thinking in the profession rather than just reinforcing it.
- A smaller, more intimate format means you’ll actually connect with the people in the room rather than just collecting business cards.
14. Women Who Count Conference
Event format: In-person
A name as clever as it is clear, the Women Who Count event is put on by the Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance specifically for female financial professionals.
However, its agenda is a wide-ranging and full-fledged look at the accounting industry, covering the biggest technical, leadership development, and business topics affecting firms today.
Key Benefits:
- The distinct ability to meet, network, and develop relationships with other women leaders in the financial industry.
- A really intense schedule covering some of the biggest changes affecting firms.
15. IOFM Spring Conference & Expo
Event format: In-person
The IOFM Spring Conference & Expo is held by the Institute of Finance & Management, and describes that attending has a “high ROI.”
The event has a number of tracks that you can see before you attend, which creates a customizable experience based on your personal or business needs.
Key Benefits:
- Attendees can get certifications while they’re at the event, which is a really neat aspect of advancing your career.
- Specific tracks to focus your learning, including categories like compliance, leadership/career development, and automation.
16. Digital Accountancy Show
Event format: In-person
The Digital Accountancy Show brings together the most progressive minds in accounting for a packed day of panels, debates, and awards.
This event focuses on what’s possible in the profession, with sessions dedicated to innovation, leadership, and transforming firm operations.
Plus, it’s a major opportunity to network with fellow firm owners and tech providers who influence where the industry is headed next.
Key Benefits:
- Access to candid discussions with industry leaders on how to build future-ready firms.
- Ideal for firm owners who want to stay on the front foot of industry shifts and opportunities.
17. RightNOW
Event format: In-person
Hosted by Rightworks, RightNOW helps forward-thinking firms get serious about automation, cybersecurity, and streamlined workflows.
While some conferences skim the surface on tech, this one goes deeper, especially when it comes to cloud infrastructure and securing your firm for scale.
Expect no-fluff sessions with industry leaders on automating workflows, tightening cybersecurity, and practical strategies to free up your time.
The conference is specifically designed for post-busy season firm growth and professional development.
Key Benefits:
- Practical education on cloud, security, and automation.
- Strong focus on firm transformation and efficiency.
18. Thomson Reuters SYNERGY
Event format: In-person
Thomson Reuters SYNERGY is the flagship annual conference for tax, audit, and accounting professionals.
It combines tax strategy, technology, and firm growth into a practical, action-oriented experience that goes well beyond a typical vendor event.
Sessions cover hands-on training, workflow insights, and strategic content for scaling your firm.
If you’re already using Thomson Reuters tools, you’ll get direct access to product teams alongside the broader strategy content.
Key Benefits:
- A strong mix of technical tax content and firm strategy in one event, which is rarer than you’d think.
- Direct access to product teams and roadmap insights if you’re evaluating or already using Thomson Reuters tools.
19. Bridging the Gap (BTG) Conference
Event format: In-person
The BTG Conference helps accounting firm owners close the gap between where they are today and where they want to be.
The event zeroes in on growth, operational excellence, and other practical areas that firms need to master to scale successfully.
BTG strongly emphasizes real-world tactics over theory, with networking events and peer conversations baked into every day of the conference.
Key Benefits:
- Heavy focus on leadership, process improvement, and tech that actually saves time.
- Access to a community of forward-thinking firm owners who are ditching outdated business models.
Which Conference Looks Interesting to You?
If you’re not sure where to start, pick one that matches where your firm is right now.
Early stage and need clients? Go somewhere with strong networking.
Already past that and trying to scale? Look for events focused on firm growth and operations.
Want to stay sharp on where the profession is heading? The tech-forward conferences are your best bet.
You don’t need to attend all of them.
Even just one can go a long way.
If you’ve been to any of the conferences on this list, I’d love to hear what you thought.
Drop a comment below!
Hi,
Can I subscribe to updated information you have on conferences? I often am too late to contribute to Accounting conferences.
Hi,
I’m a Professor of Accounting and would like to get involved with your interesting society. Can you let me know how to do this?
a great one is IMA’s conference, Institute of Management Accountants.