2026 AICPA & CIMA Engage Conference
Join GRF at the 2026 AICPA & CIMA Engage Conference.
Featured Presentations
Methodology for Selecting a Methodology
June 8, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM PDT | Featuring Tricia Katebini, CPA
Selecting the right audit methodology is high-stakes, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Join a practitioner-led panel where senior leaders share candid, real-world experiences—not vendor pitches. Each panelist has chosen a different methodology or vendor, providing diverse insights across firm sizes and solutions. Learn practical tools, key considerations beyond cost, ROI insights, and essential stakeholder strategies. Leave with actionable questions for vendors and a framework to define your firm’s unique needs. Ideal for any firm with an audit department, whether exploring options or ready to make a change.
The Modern Audit Practice A Strategic and Innovative Approach
June 9, 2026 | 2:40 PM – 3:55 PM PDT | Featuring Tricia Katebini, CPA
As the audit landscape continues to evolve, firms must adapt by embracing new strategies, technologies, and leadership approaches to stay competitive. This session will provide an in-depth look into the modern audit practice of the future, with a focus on strategic vision and leadership. Attendees will explore how emerging trends such as automation, artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and shifting client expectations are reshaping audit practices. Presenters will also discuss the leadership skills required to guide firms through these transitions, drive innovation, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. With insights on long-term planning and positioning, this session will equip participants with the tools to lead their firms confidently into the future of auditing, ensuring sustainable growth and resilience in an increasingly complex environment.
AI Ethics & Oversight: What’s in the Black Box? (SOC, TCH)
June 10, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 9:50 AM PDT | Featuring Melissa Musser, CPA, CITP, CISA, CIA
As organizations increasingly integrate AI-powered tools from third-party vendors into their operations, the risks extend far beyond technical vulnerabilities. Ethical considerations, such as bias, transparency, accountability, and data privacy, are now central to responsible AI adoption.
This session equips participants with a framework for evaluating AI tools (such as ISO 42001) not just for functionality, but for ethical integrity. Attendees will learn how to ask the correct questions during vendor onboarding, assess risk across compliance and reputational dimensions, and implement governance strategies that align with organizational values and regulatory expectations. The session will also explore how these considerations impact SOC engagements, both in evaluating vendors included in the report and in assessing third-party tools used by companies to gather and process information for the controls.
Tech First, Process Next: The Smart Way to Scale
June 11, 2026 | 1:15 PM – 2:30 PM PDT | Featuring Elinor Litwack, CPA
As you evaluate new technology to support service lines, firms often struggle with a fundamental question: should they refine their processes first or implement technology to drive efficiency? In this session, you will learn insights and hear experiences on balancing process optimization with technology adoption, focused on areas like CAS where technology is foundational to the service. Attendees will learn how to align their firm’s workflows and tech stack to maximize productivity, improve client outcomes, and avoid common pitfalls, such as implementing technology designed for one service firm-wide. This session will provide a roadmap for firms looking to integrate technology and process seamlessly for long-term success.
