In any given year there are several opportunities to attend accounting conferences. Is it necessary or even possible to attend all? Absolutely not.
However, if you want to stay current, it would behoove you to choose a few that line up with your firm’s vision and attend.
Many use the excuse “I’m taking away from my billable hours by attending a conference” or “I can just find out the information online.” Both reasons are technically correct, however the benefits of attending a conference in person far out way them. Why? Here are my top 3 reasons why you should attend accounting conferences:
- Networking and new opportunities – It is so easy for all of us to get caught up in our day-to-day activities that we no longer take the time that is necessary to build connections outside of our firm. By attending a conference or two regularly, you will notice that the number of contacts you have started to increase, and over time that increases leads to more business opportunities. Taking the time to speak with other professionals in a different firm or location can open your eyes to new ideas for your firm.
- Keeping current with trends and technology – Yes you can google “current trends” and find a plethora of answers, however, the conversation usually stops after you read the article. By attending a conference and hearing a thought leader speak about what is up and coming in our world, a conversation within the room and at your table starts up. This conversation usually continues through lunch and then actively comes back with you to your office to continue with your staff.
- Getting outside of your comfort zone – Figuring out which conference is best suited for you and your firm, and then being an active participant, does not come naturally to all. Many choose the accounting profession to stay within the confines of their office. Unfortunately, in today’s market with AI giving rise to a new definition of what it means to be within the accounting industry, moving outside of the confines of 4 walls is paramount to staying successful. By being an active participant at a conference, you will begin to build up your skill set through break-out sessions, round table discussions, case study dissections, and by just getting out there and being social.