THE JOURNAL
Welcome to "The Journal"! Here, you'll find the latest insights straight from the boss, along with my reactions to trending articles, engaging podcasts, and so much more. Stay tuned for fresh, relevant content that keeps you in the loop and inspired. Whether you're looking for firsthand updates or in-depth analyses, this is your go-to spot for everything new and exciting!
CPAcon 2024: Partnership Announcement with CalCPA
September 10, 2024
The #CPAcon Train Keeps Rolling On! 🚂🚂🚂
As many of you know, I’ve been deeply involved in growing #DreamCon into the major success it is today. With that experience and my passion for accounting, I’m bringing that same innovative energy with the launch of CPAcon—an event that’s set to redefine professional development for CPAs and financial professionals.
CPAcon is a dream project of mine. And I’m excited to share some news about how that dream is coming to life. We are OFFICIALLY announcing that we have the backing of the California Society of CPAs ( CalCPA ) 🥳 🎉 🍾 CalCPA Los Angeles Chapter
"CalCPA is excited to support CPAcon and the forward-looking vision it brings to our profession," Denise LeDuc Froemming , President and CEO of CalCPA. "This event is a dynamic and innovative approach to professional development, specifically designed to introduce high school students and aspiring CPAs to the accounting world - the language of business. It’s exactly what the industry needs to inspire and connect the next generation with the vast possibilities within our profession."
We love our Partners at CalCPA!
Join us on December 3rd, 2024, right here in Los Angeles at The Shrine Expo Hall.
After seeing how conventions can evolve and become something truly special, I’m excited to apply those lessons to the accounting profession. CPAcon isn’t just about meeting Continuing Professional Education (CPE) requirements—it’s about creating a community where CPAs can learn, grow, and innovate together. This is the first step that we are taking to redefine the accounting profession as one that can be dynamic and exciting.
As Chief Financial Officer of Dream Con , I’ve been privileged to help scale the event from a small gathering to a massive convention with over 22,000 attendees. We broadened Dream Con’s focus beyond gaming and anime to include entertainment, business, and professional networking, securing partnerships with major players like YouTube, Nintendo, and Rockstar Games. Now, I’m taking that experience and applying it to CPAcon to address the evolving challenges faced by CPAs today.
See You There!
CPAcon will be an event like no other, featuring a dynamic mix of educational workshops, competitive challenges, and networking opportunities—all aimed at highlighting the innovative and exciting aspects of being a CPA through gamified learning and engaging activities. We’re bringing some much needed fun and friendly competition to the accounting profession. Attendees will compete at CPAcon and be celebrated for their skills and accomplishments.
With the support of CalCPA, we’re aiming to attract a wide range of participants, from students and young professionals to seasoned CPAs looking to stay ahead in our rapidly changing industry.
My involvement in the accounting industry runs deep, with roles as a board member of CalCPA and President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA INC.) and volunteering my services as a subject matter expert to the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the California Board of Accountancy.
Throughout my career, I’ve shown that I am committed to advancing the profession. CPAcon’s mission builds on that and aligns perfectly with my goal of raising awareness around the critical role CPAs and financial professionals play in the global economy.
The recent National Pipeline Advisory Group (NPAG) Strategy Report has further emphasized what I believe is a need for a conference like this. We’re addressing the accounting pipeline challenges outlined in that report by focusing on enhancing diversity, telling a compelling story, modernizing educational pathways, and fostering robust mentorship opportunities.
I’m truly passionate about bringing people together, whether it’s for entertainment, professional development, or in this case, both. CPAcon is designed to inspire and connect the next generation of CPAs with the vast possibilities within our profession, ensuring that we all continue to thrive in an era of technological change and shifting career expectations; while having fun doing it.
For more information about CPAcon, including registration details and sponsorship opportunities, comment below, visit www.thecpacon.com or DM me directly. Let’s make this event a game-changer for our profession!
Our Plans for This December! Join Us
CPAcon 2024: A New Initiative to Address the Accounting Pipeline Crisis
August 22, 2024
I’m thrilled to share some exciting news with all of you. Big things are coming:
My journey in the entertainment and finance industries has been an incredible adventure—from my early days in Cleveland to helping Dream Con grow into THE premier entertainment & gaming event with over 22k attendees. Coupling that successful experience with my passion for innovation related to accounting, I was driven to create and launch something new for CPAs.
Introducing: CPAcon
My professional life started in Cleveland, where I earned my Master’s in Accounting from Cleveland State University after completing my Bachelor’s Degree at Morehouse College . From there, I dove into the world of public accounting at Deloitte and later, transitioned into high-level consulting with The Siegfried Group , where I had the opportunity to work with major clients in the tech and entertainment space like Snap Inc. and 21st Century Fox Global Inclusion.
My experience in the entertainment industry first led me to Netflix and ITV Studios America before I decided to build my firm: KCK CPA . We are a consulting firm specializing in audit readiness, CFO services, business scaling, profit optimization, accounting, and tax planning with a hyper-focus on the Entertainment and Digital Assets industries. Through KCK CPA I've collaborated with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) to help shape US General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for digital assets.
Accounting is not just about the numbers for me. I've always strived to be "More than an Accountant". My career has been about bringing people together and truly creating something special. Case in point - I've been the Director of Partners and Sponsors at #DreamCon for three years. Over that time, I haven't just balanced their books. We've taken this event from 2,000 attendees to over 22,000, attracting key partnerships with industry giants like YouTube , Nintendo , and Rockstar Games . Along the way, we've expanded the event’s scope to include new programming like a Career Fair, Film Festival, an Indie Gaming Center, and an Industry Networking Mixer, setting Dream Con apart as a leading event in the convention space.
Now, I’m channeling that energy into CPAcon, a convention designed to tackle the key challenges facing our profession, as outlined in the recent National Pipeline Advisory Group (NPAG) strategy report. CPAcon will provide a dynamic space for aspiring and current CPAs to have a space to compete and celebrate their achievements, engage with industry leaders, access cutting-edge resources, and participate in discussions that push our profession forward.
CPAcon isn’t just another industry conference—it's a whole new way to learn and connect. We’re gamifying education, turning what could be dry and tedious into something engaging and fun. Attendees will be able to participate in game show and esports-like programming, interactive workshops, compete in challenges, and earn rewards, all while building meaningful connections with peers and industry leaders. By creating a community experience that's both educational and entertaining, we're ensuring that CPAcon is a place where learning and networking go hand-in-hand.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the heart of this initiative. Through my involvement with professional organizations like CalCPA and NABA INC. , I’ve worked to build a global network of diverse financial professionals who are ready to navigate the complexities of the rapidly evolving entertainment and digital assets industries.
As we prepare to launch CPAcon, I’m excited to offer an event that challenges traditional perceptions of the accounting profession and sets a new standard for professional development. We’re not just talking about accounting; we’re transforming it.
For more information, interview requests, or partnership opportunities, visit www.thecpacon.com or reach out to my team at admin@kck-cpa.com.
I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us next!