2024 International Group Meeting
The W, Fort Lauderdale, FL Tuesday, December 3 – Friday, December 6
Tuesday, December 3
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. │ Welcome Reception (Sponsored by McGuire Sponsel)
Join us for a fun evening with hors d’oeuvres and beverages at the W Fort Lauderdale! We will gather at their Backstage space located on the lobby level.
Included in attendee registration; Spouse/Guest Fee: $165
Wednesday, December 4
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. │Breakfast and Registration
9:00 – 9:15 a.m. │ CPAmerica President Welcome and Opening Remarks
Grace Horvath, President & CEO, CPAmerica, Inc
9:15 – 10:00 a.m. │Crowe Global Update
Kamel Abouchacra, CEO, Crowe Global
10:00 – 10:30 a.m. │ Break
10:30– 11:50 p.m. │ AI Revolution – Leveraging AI at the firm
Join us for a session where you'll engage with a cutting-edge GPT AI assistant, expertly tailored to our subject matter. Experience real-time, interactive discussions and discover how AI can revolutionize your approach. Get ready for a transformative journey that will elevate your understanding and leverage AI to its fullest potential.
Juan Carlos Lara, Regional Executive for the Americas, Crowe Global 1.6 CPE │ Information Technology │ Basic Pre Req: None │ Adv
11:50am – 1:00 p.m. │ Lunch
1:00 – 2:20 p.m. │ Project Cyberdyne: AI in the Year 2050
Ever wonder when your robot assistant will be ready to take out the trash? Do you have visions of a world with no traffic? Join us for a future thinking session on AI where we delve in the art of possibility but also ponder the "what-if's" of a society too dependent on AI.
Harrison Schofill, IT Director, CPAmerica 1.6 CPE │ Information Technology │ Basic Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
2:20 – 2:40 p.m. │ Break
2:40 – 4:10 p.m. │ Round Robin Introductions and Community Service Project (sponsored by McGuire Sponsel)
Relationship building is at the heart of the International Group Meeting. One delegate from each attending firm will spend up to two minutes sharing information about their firm and something innovative or of significant impact on the firm that they have accomplished since last year.
Following the Round Robin Introductions, join us for a community service project benefiting the United Way of Broward County. Thank you to CPAmerica Preferred Provider, McGuire Sponsel, for sponsoring this year’s community service project.
Jenn Walker, Director of Services, CPAmerica, Inc.
6:00 – 8:00 p.m. │ Networking Mixer Dinner
Perched high above on the fifth floor, the Courtyard and Terrace offer the perfect backdrops for an evening connecting with other attendees and enjoying the expansive open-air floorplan that features uncompromising views of the cityscape and ocean. Dinner and Beverages will be included.
Included in attendee registration. Spouse/Guest fee: $285
Thursday, December 5
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. │ Breakfast
8:00 – 9:00 a.m. │ CPE Breakfast session - To PTEP or not to PTEP... Is that a Question? Sponsored by McGuire Sponsel
Join McGuire Sponsel Global Business Services experts, Jason Rauhe, CPA, and Greg Lambrecht, CPA, for an insightful conference session titled "To PTEP or not to PTEP...Is That A Question." This session will provide a comprehensive overview of Form 5471, focusing on critical schedules such as J, P, R, and their related schedules. Attendees will learn about distribution ordering rules from Notice 20191 and beyond, understand the determination of taxable and non-taxable distributions, and explore the 986(c) calculation. This presentation is designed to enhance your knowledge and provide practical insights for navigating complex international tax matters.
Jason Rauhe, CPA, and Greg Lambrecht, CPA, McGuire Sponsel Global Business Services Experts
1.2 CPE │ Taxes │ Overview
Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
9:15 – 10:15 a.m. │The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Has the Federal Reserve successfully engineered a soft landing? Or, is the confluence of geopolitical conflict, a presidential election, rising consumer debt levels, and still high interest rates conspiring to produce economic downturn in 2024? It is difficult to know whether 2024 will be a good year, but one thing is clear, it will be a very interesting one. This presentation will supply in-depth analysis of major factors shaping economic outcomes, including interest rates, global conflict, wage dynamics, business confidence, and demographics. It will then turn toward a forecast for the coming year, highlighting the major risks that economic stakeholders will likely encounter.
Anirban Basu, Sage Policy Group
1.2 CPE │ Business Management & Organization │ Overview
Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
10:15 – 10:40 a.m. │ Break
10:40 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. │ Navigating International Expansion: Tips, Pitfalls, and Best Practices
Join us to learn essential strategies to successfully consult your clients expanding into the US and European markets. This session will cover a range of topics, including:
- Europe’s diversity: Understanding it is not one country.
- English language capabilities.
- Best locations for sales, manufacturing, logistics, and finance.
- VAT vs. sales tax.
- Avoiding multi-country taxation and permanent establishment risks.
- Practical operational tips and real-life expansion challenges.
- Distinguishing a permanent establishment from an entity.
- Tips for a smooth market entry.
- Expected costs.
Stéphane Bernard-Migeon, Crowe Fidelio and Michael Schmitz, Crowe Frankfurt
Samanta K. Guerra, CPA, Shareholder, Sol Schwartz & Associates and Arturo Machado, CPA, Shareholder, Sol Schwartz & Associates
1.6 CPE │ Business Management & Organization │ Overview
Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
12:00 – 1:10 p.m. │ Lunch
1:10 – 2:30 p.m. │ Alignment and Accountability
Partner accountability is elusive at many firms. We know that silos and inconsistent practices drive staff nuts (as well as fellow partners). In addition to on- boarding partners with the advantages of being held accountable, it's a multi-pronged approach that's going to win the day on accountability. In this session we'll discuss what you need: agreement, structures and most importantly strong leadership to set your firm on the right path.
Learning objectives:
a) Explore cultural environments that make accountability possible or difficult to achieve.
b) Understand the leadership traits that foster accountability.
c) Learn how partner compensation can be one important tool to improve partner accountability.
Kristen Rampe, CPA, Managing Partner, Rosenberg Associates
1.6 CPE │ Business Management & Organization │ Overview Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
2:30 – 2:50 p.m. │ Break
2:50 – 3:50 p.m. │ Attracting and Retaining Talent
Having a competitive edge in recruiting can make a huge difference in getting the right talent in place at your firm. Recruiting talent is only one piece of the human capital challenge firms are facing today. Retaining employees is becoming equally as difficult given the number of opportunities professionals can choose from. In this session, we’ll talk through unique ways successfully recruit the best candidates, the benefits in-demand of today’s talent pool, and techniques for retaining your employees.
Learning objectives:
a. Identify ways to expand your recruiting efforts and attract talent to your firm
b. Learn about ways to structure your internship programs to ensure both interns and the firm are maximizing the experience
c. Identify onboarding best practices that you can start implementing at your firm today
Kristen Rampe, CPA, Managing Partner, Rosenberg Associates
1.2 CPE │ Personnel/Human Resources │ Overview
Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. │ Considerations in Cross-Border M&A
The world is getting smaller yet more globalized. Today, cross-border Merger and Acquisitions (M&A) have become increasingly common for companies aiming to achieve growth, diversify their operations, and gain access to new markets. The opportunities are vast but venturing in cross-border M&A is not without its challenges and intricacies. This session will explore both tax and legal considerations when entering into an international transaction and will leave practitioners with a series of best practices to ensure that client risk is appropriately managed.
Sean King, Align Global Consulting
1.2 CPE │ Taxes │ Basic
Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
6:30 – 9:00 p.m. │ Special Event - Grateful Palate - Nestled alongside the Intracoastal Waterway, the Grateful Palate is Fort Lauderdale’s premier event destination; and for good reason. For years, guests have raved about their delectable cuisine, stunning views, elegant venue, and impeccable attention to detail. We invite you to join us for a fun night of networking and regale your senses with a high-end outing you won’t soon forget.
Meet in the hotel lobby by 6:10 p.m.
Attire: Casual
Included in attendee registration. Spouse/Guest Fee: $170
Friday, December 6
8:15 – 9:20 a.m. │ Breakfast
8:15 – 9:25 a.m. │ CPE Breakfast session – Transfer Pricing Updates and Considerations for Your Clients
Transfer pricing is an ever-evolving area within international tax with many recent developments, including initiatives from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and increasing scrutiny and requirements from the tax authorities globally. In this session, current developments will be covered, including Amount B of Pillar One from the OECD and audit efforts from the IRS. Practical considerations for your clients will also be covered, including transfer pricing documentation requirements, audit readiness, and planning.
John W. Lamszus, Transfer Pricing Senior Manager, CPA, MBA, Crowe LLP
Wolfgang Kirschning, Managing Director / Attorney at Law (Germany), Tax Advisor (Germany), Certified Consultant for International Tax Law
1.4 CPE │ Taxes │ Basic Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
9:35 – 11:15 a.m. │ International Tax Update
International taxation remains in a state of flux and 2025 will be no different. As we move toward the New Year, the fluid nature of global international taxation initiatives continues. From the OECD to the U.S. Treasury Department, global policymakers continue to develop an international tax overhaul on issues ranging from a global minimum tax to exchange of information initiates such as the EU's DAC7/DAC8 Directives. This session will explore the current state of international taxation, global proposals for international tax reform, and various planning opportunities to ensure that clients are wellpositioned to embrace continuing change
Sean King, Align Global Consulting
2 CPE │ Taxes │ Basic
Pre Req: None │ Adv Prep: None
11:15 a.m. │ Meeting Adjourn