Readjusting

By Tammy J. Hofstede

It was quite a busy year as we readjusted to finally coming back to some normalcy while adapting to changes the pandemic brought. One of the most significant adjustments was coming back to in-person activities and shifting and planning for the new norm of hybrid meetings and events.

We were delighted to be able to hold all our conferences and events in person this year! Our conferences were offered in person as well as via livestreams. Although we saw a decline in in-person attendance, the livestream and on-demand options have continued to be increasingly popular.

This year (2023) marks the second year of the two-year CPE reporting period for WICPA membership and CPA license renewal. To assist you with your CPE requirements, your WICPA membership includes discounts on continuing education to keep you up to date on tax laws, technology, human resource issues and new standards. We will again offer free CPE programs, including three law and employment update programs, the annual retirement program, and one selected program from each of our conferences that will include ethics. That’s more than 16 new, complimentary formal CPE credits in addition to the free programs already in our course catalog.

Our conferences are all back in person, and we continue to offer livestream options for each of them. Our primary venue for most of our conferences will continue to be the Brookfield Conference Center, which is easily accessible from the interstate and has free parking and an attached hotel with negotiated reduced room rates for out-oftown attendees.

You will see in this new fiscal year that several of our smaller conferences will be moving to WICPA headquarters and utilizing our space now that the majority of participants are attending via livestream.

For quick and convenient CPE, we have planned more one- to four-hour livestream programs, including the Wednesday and Friday breakfast program season passes. The popular Individual Income Tax Update program with June Norman, a favorite that includes the Master Tax Guide, will continue to be held in person in several locations across the state. A livestream option will also be available.

The WICPA is committed to being your go-to resource. We are your connection to up-to-date, accurate and trustworthy information through our Featured News, social media, Connect, high-quality publications and e-news. Committee meetings and membership events are also valuable opportunities to build relationships with other professionals from different areas of the state to share ideas and common challenges.

We continue to offer our virtual quarterly member orientation meetings for those who wish to learn more about the WICPA.

We’re pleased to announce that all our signature events are back! Our annual golf outing at Ironwood Golf Course will be held in Sussex on Sept. 22. We sold out last year, so register early! Also watch for networking nights to be back this fall as well as our Bowling Night next April.

We thank you for your continued support of the WICPA and our programs as we continue to shape programs, services and activities designed to enhance your opportunities and member experience.

• Manage your profile and contact information.

• Update your areas of interest and volunteer opportunities.

• Find member benefits.

• Renew your membership.

Designate an organization administrator to manage membership and registrations for everyone at your organization.

• Pay membership dues and make Educational Foundation contributions for your organization in one transaction.

• Register multiple individuals for programs.

• Update your organization’s roster, and manage employees at multiple office locations.

• Add your organization’s information to Find a CPA. Reach out to membership@wicpa.org or call 800-772-6939 to become an administrator.

• See your upcoming WICPA programs, events and meetings.

• Access and download your CPE materials and certificates.

• Use the CPE Tracker to monitor your formal and informal CPE credits for the reporting period.

• Add other formal and informal CPE to the tracker to keep all your records in one place.

Ask questions, give advice and share information in the WICPA Connect online community.

• Read and participate in current discussions — or start a new one.

• Personalize your profile by controlling notifications and adding interests, education, experience, signatures and your photo.

• Use the Member Directory to find and connect to members across the state.

• Connect with specialized groups by joining a committee such as Wisconsin or Federal Taxation, Business and Industry, Not-for-Profit and many others.