11 must-see sessions at Accountex Canada 2024

Accountex Canada 2024 is almost here 🎉

This two-day conference—hosted at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre—is designed to provide accounting professionals with networking opportunities and informative sessions that provide updates on industry trends, taxation, practice growth, technology, advisory services, and more.

Here are 11 must-see sessions from the full program that are sure to bring you the most value in preparing your firm for a successful 2025.

Tuesday, November 5

How to work less and get more done

Presenter: Joe O'Connor, Work Time Reduction

Time: 10am

Joe O'Connor will share the latest research on attention spans and cognitive performance in relation to work hours, so you can better understand the science behind productivity and wellbeing. He’ll also provide you with top tips, best practices, and practical strategies to optimize productivity, wellbeing, and time efficiency.

Accounting & taxation for digital assets

Presenter: Regan McGrath, Metrics Chartered Professional Accounting

Time: 11am

As blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies, and other digital financial instruments become increasingly prevalent, they offer both significant opportunities and unique challenges for accountants. Regan McGrath will explore the transformative impact of digital assets on the accounting profession, including new service opportunities in the digital asset sector.

AI & the future of work

Presenter: Swish Goswami, Surf

Time: 12.45pm

Swish Goswami will dive into how AI is reshaping the landscape of work. He’ll explore the implications of AI technology on job roles, the skills that will be prioritized, and how businesses can adapt to stay ahead. He’ll also cover the evolving dynamics between humans and machines in the workplace, providing actionable insights for firms looking to thrive in this new era.

Bridging the generational gap in the workplace: Leveraging generational strengths to optimize performance

Presenter: Kim Tabac, Kim Tabac Human Resources Inc.

Time: 2pm

Today, the workplace is like a tapestry woven with threads from four distinct time periods. For the first time, Baby Boomers, Gen Xers, Millennials, and Gen Zers are all working together. Kim Tabac will show you how to bridge these generational gaps, harness the strengths of generational diversity, and build a harmonious culture.

Recommended reading: Work-life balance means different things to different generations. Here's why that matters and how to manage it.

From transactions to transformations: Charting success with the subscription model

Presenter: Ron Baker, VeraSage Institute

Time: 2pm

The world is moving from services to subscriptions. Ron Baker will share the advantages of the subscription model for accounting firms, and explain why and how the subscription business model will be an inevitable part of the firm of the future.

Bookkeeping trends to watch in 2025: Preparing for the future of finance

Presenters: Zoe Whitman & Jo Wood, The 6 Figure Bookkeeper

Time: 3pm

Jo Wood and Zoe Whitman will explore the key trends that will impact bookkeepers in 2025 and beyond—from the rise of AI, to the growing importance of sustainability reporting. They’ll also share why data security and privacy are more critical than ever, and how bookkeepers can protect themselves and their clients from cyber threats.

Proven referral strategies for accountants

Presenter: Apoorv Dwivedi, Fixyr

Time: 3pm

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to generate referrals from clients, employees, and strategic partners with proven strategies that work in today’s competitive environment. You’ll come away with actionable worksheets to develop your own referral plan and a concrete strategy ready for implementation.

Wednesday, November 6

Setting up for success(ion)

Presenter: Mike Libbey, YBL

Time: 10am

After years of careful preparation, Mike has successfully taken over his father's accounting firm, gaining invaluable experience along the way. In this session, he will share how to create a sustainable succession plan that benefits both outgoing and incoming generations, drawing from his own journey and the many clients his firm has helped do the same. He’ll highlight the importance of clear goals, open dialogue, and robust process implementation to ensure a smooth transition, as well as addressing the emotional and practical challenges of leadership changes.

Empowering bookkeeping with AI: Enhancing services and navigating ethical waters

Presenter: Tanya Hilts, Cloud Business Services Inc

Time: 11am

Tanya Hilts will delve into how AI can revolutionize the way accounting professionals manage data, improve accuracy, and deliver insights, emphasizing AI as a tool to augment, not replace, the human element in services. She’ll share real-world examples that showcase how AI can streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and elevate the quality of service offerings. Plus, she’ll tackle the ethical considerations of integrating AI responsibly into your firm, including privacy concerns and data security.

Defense against the dark web: Keeping your money and your clients safe

Presenters: 

• Tom Bigos, Centra Cyber Security

• Brad Andrews, ManagePoint Technologies Inc

Time: 12.30pm

This session is key for any accounting professional needing to strengthen their cybersecurity practices. You’ll learn why multi-factor authentication (MFA) is crucial to your firm’s data protection, best practices for strong passwords, and how to encrypt data.

Mental health and high performance: Navigating the performance paradox

Presenter: Kara Hardin, The Practice Lab

Time: 1.30pm

Kara Hardin will explore why high performance in financial services is particularly complicated and the tools and strategies that work with (not against) mental health. You’ll come away with resources, best practices, and tools to address perfectionism and ways to engage meaningfully in work.

Packed with value, information, and opportunities

Accountex Canada 2024 is set to be action-packed with exciting sessions, speakers, and exhibitors. The Karbon team will also be on the exhibitor floor to meet and greet friends old and new. Drop by booth 415 and say hi 👋