North American Annual Conference 2025
Held in Scottsdale, Arizona, the North American Annual Conference stands as a beacon for firm and practice leaders - an intellectual convergence where industry expertise merges with innovative thinking. The conference serves as a vital hub for accounting professionals, offering a diverse spectrum of breakouts and general sessions. Hand-selected keynote speakers illuminate the latest trends in taxation, auditing, financial regulations and AI-driven analytics. Networking opportunities abound, building collaborations and partnerships among firms of all sizes. As the sun sets on each day's insightful discussions, the conference buzzes with the excitement of shared knowledge and a renewed drive to navigate the evolving landscape of accounting practices in North America and beyond.
Conference venue: JW Marriott Camelback Inn, Scottsdale, AZ
Registration is now open!
For further information or to register please contact Rachel Green, DFK USA Director of Meetings at [email protected]
Cancellation of registration must be submitted in writing to Rachel Green at [email protected] and must be received on or before September 26th, 2025 by 5:00 p.m. ET to receive a full refund. For more information regarding administrative policies, please contact Rachel Green at [email protected].
DFK Code of Conduct: By attending this event, DFK Delegates and their guests agree to conduct themselves appropriately at the Event and any related activities. DFK reserves the right to exclude from the Event any person for disruptive, inappropriate, or abusive behavior, at its absolute sole discretion. This includes harassment regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race or religion.
We look forward to welcoming you at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa.
Reservations at the group rate of $359 plus resort fee and taxes may be made until September 26th, 2025. After this date we cannot guarantee the DFK rate.
On making your reservation, guests are required to provide a credit/debit card to guarantee their room and the hotel requires all reservations to be guaranteed. All delegates will be individually responsible for payment of their own room, tax, and incidental charges.
Should a Client Guest cancel a reservation, the Hotel shall refund the deposit, provided notice of cancellation is given 7 days prior to arrival.
Hotel Booking Link
Travel Details
We recommend flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), which is the nearest major airport.
Please note that DFK will not be coordinating group transportation, but both Uber and taxi services are readily available at the airport.
If you prefer to rent a car, the hotel offers complimentary on-site parking for guests.
Conference Agenda
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Venue: JW Marriott Camelback Inn
Dates: Sunday, October 26 – Thursday, October 30, 2025
Sunday, October 26 (Pre-Conference Dinners)
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Early-Bird Dinner
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | DFK USA Executive Committee Dinner *
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | DFK Canada Dinner *
Monday, October 27
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM | DFK USA Executive Committee Meeting *
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Domestic and International Tax Seminar **
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | DFK Canada Meeting *
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | DFK USA Board of Directors Meeting *
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM | DFK USA Firm-Level Breakouts *
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Welcome Reception and Dinner
Tuesday, October 28
8:30 AM – 12:00 PM | General Session – Day 1
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Optional Activities **
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Dine Arounds (all attendees will be invited to make a restaurant selection as we get closer)
Wednesday, October 29
8:30 AM – 12:00 PM | General Session – Day 2
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Optional Activities **
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Farewell Gala- Close out NAAC in style with an elegant farewell celebration set in a charming Old West outdoor venue. Enjoy a memorable evening under the stars with live music, dancing, and a delicious dinner surrounded by rustic beauty. Western attire is encouraged—dust off your boots and hats for a night of fun and flair!
Thursday, October 30
8:30 AM – 12:00 PM | General Session – Day 3
12:00 PM | Conference Adjourns
* Invited guests only
** Pre-registration required
Agenda subject to change.
Pre-conference Tax Seminar (Monday, October 27th 9:00am-3:00pm)
This preconference meeting takes place on Monday and will cover both domestic and international tax content. 5-7 hour of Tax CPE will be issued based on the duration of the meeting. (This session takes place at the same time as the DFK Canada and DFK USA Board of Directors Meetings. Please do not register for this event if you are attending those sessions.)
Tequila and Art Experience (Monday Afternoon)
Learn about the Spirit of Mexico during this interactive Arte y Agave Experience at BARCOA Agaveria & XICO Art Gallery. Start in the Cantina at BARCOA with a fresh margarita and decorate a traditional mezcal drinking vessel and learn why these cups exist, how they’re made, and how they’re used by Mezcaleros in Mexico. Then head into XICO for a tour of the gallery and learn about thousand-year-old printmaking techniques still used today. Then head into the basement bar at BARCOA for a spirits tasting and learn about tequila, mezcal, and other heritage agave spirits. (This activity is for early arrivals and accompanying guests on Monday afternoon. Please do not sign up if you are attending the Tax Seminar, DFK Canada Meeting or DFK USA Firm Level Breakouts.)
Taliesin West Guided Tour (Tuesday Morning)
This guided tour gives an intimate and in-depth look at Taliesin West. In addition to the seminar theater, music pavilion, cabaret cinema, and Frank Lloyd Wright's private office, this tour includes a visit to the dramatic living room where you will sit in Wright-designed furniture and experience first-hand the drama of being a guest in Wright’s famous living room. (This activity is at the same time as the general session on Tuesday morning and intended for accompanying guests.)
Golf Tournament (Tuesday Afternoon)
Tee off in the afternoon for a shotgun start golf tournament on a stunning desert landscape course. This fun and friendly competition is a great way to meet new people while playing for bragging rights as part of the winning team. Additional contests like longest drive and closest to the pin add to the excitement. All skill levels are welcome—just bring your game face and enjoy the views! (Shoe and club rental available onsite.)
Pickleball Tournament (Tuesday Afternoon)
Join us for some friendly competition in a “Battle of the Paddle” style pickleball tournament! You'll rotate through a variety of teammates, making it a great way to mix, mingle, and play with new friends. A pro will be on hand to facilitate the action and keep things fun and fair. Whether you're in it to win or just to enjoy the game, this is a lively and social way to spend the afternoon!
Scottsdale Museum of the West Tour and Old Town Shopping (Tuesday Afternoon)
Spend the afternoon exploring Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, located at the western gateway of the city’s arts and cultural district. This engaging museum brings the spirit of the West to life through immersive exhibits featuring light, sound, color, and texture—inviting visitors to discover, explore, and learn.
Afterward, enjoy free time to browse the charming shops of Old Town Scottsdale, known for its local artisans, unique galleries, and stylish boutiques. It’s the perfect opportunity to find a one-of-a-kind piece for our Western-themed farewell celebration. Transportation, guides and gratuity included.
Desert Botanical Gardens/ Hole in the Rock (Wednesday Afternoon)
Enjoy a self-guided tour of the stunning Desert Botanical Garden. Follow the brick path along the Garden’s main trail and discover the unique characteristics of desert plants from around the world through informative displays and scenic landscapes.
Afterward, take a short hike to the nearby "Hole-in-the-Rock" — a natural sandstone formation offering beautiful views and a bit of adventure. Transportation, guides, and gratuities are included.
Horseback Riding (Wednesday Afternoon)
Feel the West come alive as knowledgeable wranglers guide you on a 90-minute trail ride through the panoramic vistas of Arizona’s most famous desert. As you venture along desert trails winding through towering Saguaro cacti,
Mesquite groves and other desert dwellers your guide will talk of the abundant plant and animal life. (Maximum Guest Weight 225lbs). Guides, gear, safety equipment and gratuities included.
Desert Hiking (Wednesday Afternoon)
We’ll begin by meeting your group at the resort and accompanying them to the trailhead; on the way, our lead guide will deliver a briefing on desert hiking safety, offer tips on staying comfortable, and oversee the completion of our liability release form. When our boots meet the desert, we’ll make sure that everyone has plenty of water, and we’ll be carrying some high energy snacks along as well. Our guides will open this amazing resource with information, anecdotes, and observations of the area through which our carefully selected trail winds.
Jaclyn Badeau
Trust, Leadership, Relationships, Integrity – these are just a few of the many characteristics used to describe Jaclyn by some of her mentees and colleagues. Over her career, she has served in a variety of roles and focused on coaching, cultivating high performing teams, and developing her business acumen. Jaclyn loves watching people grow in their careers and has had a front row seat to many of her mentee’s development into Controllers, Directors, Senior Managers, and Leaders within various companies. The fundamental principle to all her conversations has been based on Emotional Intelligence (EQ), an area which she obtained her Certification as well.
Building on her love of leadership, she obtained her Development Dimensions International (DDI) Facilitator Certification. Jaclyn also develops and facilitates her own leadership training courses in Leadership and Ethics. Participants in her in-person and virtual trainings have commented: “Jaclyn brought practices to reality by injecting real world business scenarios into the classroom”; “you can tell she truly cares about our development”; “Jaclyn is by far the most engaging ethics instructor I have encountered. She gave me food for thought with an issue I am dealing with TODAY”; "Content was excellent, and presenter was clearly passionate.....By far the best CPE I have received in years....and SO pertinent to me now."
Jaclyn spent over 6 years in public accounting leading the firm’s audit training, career counseling various staff, and assisting clients with business enhancement projects across 5 industries. She also worked at a global public manufacturing, distribution, and retail company for over 8 years in 4 different roles including Controllership and Internal Audit leading various talent management strategic initiatives, providing coaching and mentoring to over 25 people, and serving as a business risk advisor to many.
Jaclyn is passionate about sharing her expertise and knowledge within and outside of the CPA profession and has been involved in many associations and not-for-profits in advisory and leadership positions. She is one of five recipients of the 2021 AICPA Young CPA Award recognizing a young CPA who personifies an unwavering commitment as demonstrated through successful practices, involvement in and contributions for the interest of the accounting profession. Jaclyn has also received a KyCPA 2020 Outstanding Leadership and Service to the Profession Award, 2 awards of excellence from the KyCPA for receiving the highest grade on the FAR and AUD sections of the CPA exam during that exam period, and the 2016 Distinguished Alumni honor from EKU.
Jaclyn is a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Morehead State University.
Morgan Cooper
Morgan Cooper has been at the forefront of Wilkins Miller's marketing efforts for a decade, bringing a wealth of experience from her background in sports and non-profit marketing and development. Her leadership and innovative strategies have significantly shaped the firm's marketing landscape. In addition to her role at Wilkins Miller, Morgan is an active leader in the marketing community. She chairs the DFK Marketing Committee and the Association of Accounting Marketing's Virtual Education Committee, and she also lends her expertise to DFK/USA's marketing initiatives.
Sarah Elliott
Sarah believes the future of the accounting profession depends on our capacity to love. Through one-to-one coaching, group learning and innovation labs, she helps accountants access the Dimension of Possible: the place where fear is no longer the enemy.
Prior to founding Intend2Lead, Sarah consistently balanced client service, firm management and industry leadership throughout her 14-year career as a practicing CPA. She spent ten years at PwC, where she performed a two-year rotation in their National Office.
More recently, Sarah was the national audit partner-in-charge of a high-growth, regional CPA firm and served on its executive and human resources committees. Her responsibilities included oversight of training and development, firm strategy, personnel management, technical accounting and auditing leadership, firm policy and methodology, and quality control.
Sarah is an author, speaker and instructor on coaching and leadership development and an advocate for women in the CPA profession.
In 2017, Sarah founded the Ellivate Alliance to connect people, ideas and resources in a way that creates powerful new opportunities to elevate women entrepreneurs. The Ellivate Alliance provides women who are starting a business the inspiration, practical know-how and like-minded community to accelerate their growth during the critical start-up phase.
Sarah actively serves her profession and local community:
- CPA Consultants Alliance
- AICPA American Woman’s Society of CPAs Legacy Task Force
- AICPA Private Company Practice Section Firm inMotion Task Force
- Impact Austin, Board of Directors (2013-2018)
Sarah has been recognized by AICPA and CPA Practice Advisor as one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Accounting 2017-2022. In 2018, 2019 and 2021, she was recognized by Practice Ignition as one of the Top 50 Women in Accounting. She also received the AWSCPA President’s Award and was recognized as a Rising Star by the TSCPA in 2017.
Sarah holds a Graduate Certificate in Executive and Professional Coaching from the University of Texas at Dallas and is a credentialed coach through the International Coach Federation. She earned a BBA in Accounting from Texas A&M University and is a licensed CPA in Texas.
Jeff Jacobs
Jeff is the Director of Development at Wilkins Miller LLC, where he leads business development initiatives, client engagement strategies, and cross-selling efforts. With a background in traditional sales and sales leadership, he brings a deep understanding of relationship-building and growth strategy to the accounting industry. In addition to his role at Wilkins Miller, Jeff consults with accountants and accounting firms, helping them enhance their business development practices, improve cross-selling among service lines, and implement strategies for growth. He is the co-facilitator of Ignite, the DFK Business Development Program, and serves as the Chair of the DFK Business Development Committee. He also serves as a committee member on the Association of Accounting Marketing Business Development Committee. Jeff has trained numerous firms and individual accountants across the country, equipping them with the tools to strengthen client relationships, drive revenue growth, and foster collaboration—particularly in firms that have expanded through mergers and acquisitions. His broad experience working with firms nationwide gives him unique insight into the common challenges they face.
Roman Kepczyk
Roman H. Kepczyk, CPA is Director of Firm Technology Strategy at Right Networks. His primary focus is helping firms throughout North America effectively use information technology by educating and directing owners towards today's optimized CPA firm production processes.On a technical level, Roman is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, AICPA Certified Information Technology Professional and CGMA.
Roman has been named by one of the profession’s Most Recommended Consultants by INSIDE Public Accounting every year of the list from 2004 through 2017, as well as CPA Practice Advisor's Top 25 Thought Leaders from 2010 to 2018. Accounting Today listed him as one of 2018's Top 100 Most Influential People within the accounting profession (for the thirteenth time).
He has spent the past 23 years consulting exclusively with CPA firms and prior to that, 10 years with the CPA firm of Henry & Horne, (Arizona’s largest regional firm) where he was the partner in charge of the firm's Management Advisory Services and Microcomputer Consulting practices. Roman also served as the firm’s Administrative partner where he oversaw Internal Accounting, Marketing, Human Resources, and was responsible for the creation and implementation of the firm's technology plan and budget.
Roman is also an Advisory Board Member to the CPA Firm Management Association (formerly Association for Accounting Administration) and has served on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Society of CPAs. He has been a featured National and Regional speaker to thousands of CPA firms on information technology.
Recently he updated his Quantum of Paperless: Partners Guide to CPA Firm Optimization which outlines 32 key best practices (available on Amazon.com).
Brian Kush
Brian is an executive leadership coach who invites something greater that is already inside you.
Brian spent the first 14 years of his career serving as a CPA and consultant at both Ernst and Young and AuditWatch. During that time he realized coaching was the best and most natural way he could support and challenge others.
Over the last eight years, Brian has coached many CPA firm leaders to tap into their inherent power by becoming a stronger observer of their life and what holds the most meaning for them. From that broader lens of seeing the world, his clients can uncover new choices and actions and increase their capacity to lead others to more meaningful results.
Brian has provided workshops, presentations, and training sessions on various leadership and communication related topics to thousands of CPAs across the United States.
In 2016, Brian co-founded Intend2Lead to empower CPA firms to create meaningful and positive shifts in their culture and performance. Intend2Lead partners with clients to co-create customized solutions and uncover the training and coaching needed to realize the vision of firm leaders.
Brian is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC), credentialed through the International Coach Federation, and he holds a Certificate in Leadership Coaching from Georgetown University. He graduated with a BS in Commerce from the University of Virginia. Brian is also an instructor for the AuditSense team where he provides leadership and communication seminars, and he authored the book Auditing Leadership (Wiley 2009).
Daniel Murray
After a career in corporate strategy and management consulting within Australia’s largest Financial Services organisations, Daniel now helps businesses and leaders to drive performance through people, culture and empathy. Blending his background in mathematics and strategy, with a deep understanding of emotions, neuroscience and behavioral economics, Daniel has become an expert in building the capabilities, tools and strategies to embed Strategic Empathy.
As CEO of Empathic Consulting, Daniel has provided keynotes and training to PwC, Commonwealth Bank, Tyro, Macquarie Bank, AMP, Adaptovate, NSW Treasury, ICare and TAL. His ability to engage and entertain leaves his clients invigorated to strive for deeper levels of understanding and performance.
Chris Thornberg
Dr. Christopher Thornberg has been called many things throughout his career as an economist – “Dr. Doom,” a contrarian, even an optimist – but his favorite thing to be called is always: correct. He founded Beacon Economics in 2006, and under his leadership the firm has become one of the most respected research organizations in the nation. Dr. Thornberg is the Director of UC Riverside School of Business’ Center for Economic Forecasting and Development, an Adjunct Professor at the School, and he holds a Ph.D in Business Economics from The Anderson School at UCLA.
