Agenda | PE Summit

As private equity interest in accounting firms accelerates, the path from initial outreach to a successful deal is proving more nuanced than many expect. From sourcing and valuation to partner alignment, governance, and post-deal integration, acquiring an accounting firm requires a deep understanding of both the business model and the people behind it.

5:00 pm

Welcome Reception for PE Summit

1 hr

The accounting profession is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history. Join accounting firm leaders, investors, advisors, and solution providers as we kick off PE Summit 2026 with an evening of networking and conversation. This reception provides an opportunity to connect with peers, share perspectives, and begin exploring the trends, opportunities, and challenges that will define the discussions throughout the summit.

Wednesday, November 18, 2026

7:00 am

Networking Breakfast

1 hr

Registration Opens

1 hr

8:00 am

Welcome & Opening Remarks

10 min

Global Managing Principal, Accounting & Consulting Industries

As we transition from CPA Insights to the PE Summit, we move from exploring the profession’s many strategic paths to a deeper examination of private equity. We’ll frame the day’s discussions around what happens before, during, and after a deal—from investor priorities and transaction mechanics to the impact on firm strategy, brand, culture, technology investment, client relationships, and the realities of working with new capital partners.

8:10 am

Research The State of Private Equity in Accounting: New Accounting Today Research

30 min

Tom Koehler

Moderator

Private equity continues to reshape the accounting profession, but where does the market stand today—and where is it headed next? In this opening fireside chat, Accounting Today and Intapp will share new data on firm sentiment, capital needs, technology investment, and the evolving role of private equity in accounting.

8:45 am

Keynote Celebrating PE and the Accounting Profession’s 5-year Anniversary – Past, Present, and Future

50 min

CPE Eligible

Allan D. Koltin

Managing Partner Emeritus; Partner in Charge of M&A

For the past five years, Allan Koltin has been at the center of many of the accounting profession’s most significant private equity transactions.

9:35 am

Presentation A Dynamic Landscape: How Private Equity’s Thesis for CPA Platforms Is Evolving

25 min

Stuart Ferguson

President-Strategy

Stout

Private equity’s thesis for CPA platforms continues to evolve, and so does the bar for what’s considered attractive. In this session, Stuart Ferguson shares his perspective on how growing variation in multiples and the rise of AI, among other factors, are reshaping the way sponsors think about value, growth, and risk across the space. He explores what’s drawing investor conviction today, what’s giving Investment Committees pause, and where the next wave of opportunity may emerge as the definition of a winning platform continues to shift.

10:10 am

Networking Break

30 min

10:40 am

Panel Before The Deal: Culture, Strategy, and Economics

50 min

CPE Eligible

Bowers Advisors & Accountants

Sam North

Managing Director, Investment Banking

Sweeney Conrad

A successful private equity transaction involves far more than valuation. Before firms move forward with a deal, they must determine whether a potential partner is the right fit culturally, strategically, and economically. In this panel, accounting firm leaders who have partnered with outside capital will discuss the key conversations, evaluations, and decision points that occur before a transaction is completed.

11:35 am

Panel Deal Mechanics – How PE Transactions Actually Work (From LOI to Due Diligence)

50 min

CPE Eligible

Luke Bradford

Guggenheim Partners

Richard Kopelman

Aprio Advisory Group, LLC

Russell Shapiro

Partner, Corporate

Levenfeld Pearlstein

Private equity transactions are far more complex than traditional accounting firm mergers. For many firm leaders, the process can be unfamiliar, time-consuming, and filled with unexpected twists.

12:30 pm

Networking Lunch

1 hr

1:30 pm

Panel Life After the Deal – Operating Under PE ownership

50 min

CPE Eligible

Chief Executive Officer

PKF O'Connor Davies

Deborah Sundermann

Managing Partner

Signing the deal is only the beginning. Once a firm takes on private equity investment, leaders must navigate new expectations around growth, accountability, governance, and performance—while continuing to serve clients and maintain firm culture.In this panel, firm leaders will share what life really looks like after the transaction closes. What changes for partners and staff? How do budgeting, reporting, and decision-making evolve? What role does the investor play in strategy and governance? And what aspects of the firm’s culture, client relationships, and day-to-day operations remain largely unchanged?Join firms that have already made the transition for a candid discussion on the realities, challenges, and opportunities of operating under private equity ownership.

2:25 pm

Panel Does Private Equity Actually Accelerate Innovation?

50 min

CPE Eligible

Tucker Haas

Chief Technology Officer

Current

Sean McLean

Chief Digital Officer

Moderator

Technology has become the single biggest driver of capital demand in accounting, with firms investing heavily in AI, automation, workflow modernization, and tech stack optimization. But does private equity actually accelerate innovation, or simply provide the resources to move faster?

3:15 pm

Networking Break

30 min

3:45 pm

Presentation Talent Talks: What PE Firm Employees Really Think

30 min

Dominic Piscopo

Founder

Big 4 Transparency

Private equity investment in accounting isn’t just a bet on firms, client relationships, or growth potential — it’s a bet on people. The success of these deals ultimately depends on whether the talent inside PE-backed firms stays engaged, motivated, and committed for the long term.

4:20 pm

Panel The People Side of Private Equity: Talent, Culture and the Next Generation of Leaders

50 min

CPE Eligible

Karen Bennett

Chief People & Platform Officer

Former Managing Partner / Former Partner in Charge & Executive Committee Member

Lurie LLP/ EisnerAmper

Much of the conversation around private equity in accounting focuses on transactions, growth strategies and financial performance. But some of the most significant changes are happening within the workforce—and for the next generation of firm leaders.

5:15 pm

Closing Remarks: What We’ve Learned — And What Comes Next

Day One explored the forces driving private equity into the profession. In these closing remarks, we synthesize the key takeaways and preview Day Two’s focus on the second wave — how firms are navigating life after the deal and what the future of ownership in accounting may look like.

5:30 pm

Networking Reception

1 hr

Thursday, November 19, 2026

7:30 am

Networking Breakfast

45 min

8:15 am

Fireside Chat The Next Phase

30 min

Moderator

Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC

The first wave of private equity transformed the accounting profession. The second wave will go further.As accounting firms and investors move beyond their initial transactions, the conversation is shifting from deal-making to value creation, integration, recapitalization, and long-term growth. While the level of interest in CPA firms remains strong, the market is becoming more competitive as growth expectations increase and firms face greater pressure to differentiate themselves.What separates tomorrow’s winners from everyone else? How will ownership structures evolve? What happens when firms pursue a second transaction, a continuation vehicle, a recapitalization, or even a buyback?

8:50 am

Panel Flips, Buybacks & the Evolution of PE Deals

1 hr 45 min

Alan Badey

Chief Executive Officer

Avani Desai

Schellman Compliance, LLC

Smith + Howard Advisory LLC

Walter Weil

Managing Director

TowerBrook Captial Partners L P

Chief Executive Officer

Eisner Advisory Group LLC

Moderator

The first wave of private equity in accounting was defined by platform investments and first-time transactions. The next wave will be defined by what happens after the deal.

10:35 am

Panel What the Accounting Firm of the Future Will Look Like

50 min

CPE Eligible

Allan D. Koltin

Moderator

Private equity has already reshaped the accounting profession—but what happens next? In this interactive town hall, industry leaders will explore how capital, consolidation, technology, and talent pressures are transforming firm ownership and operations. Will private equity become the dominant ownership model? Can independent firms continue to compete and thrive? And what will the next generation of accounting firms look like five to ten years from now? Join this forward-looking discussion on the forces shaping the future of the profession and what firm leaders should be doing today to prepare for tomorrow.

11:25 am

Closing Remarks

5 min