In early December, more than 100 tax and accounting professionals gathered at The Line Hotel for the annual EY Austin CPE Conference. With the generous support of sponsors HPI and Hire Solutions, the firm’s leaders provided a deep dive into the trends shaping finance and accounting.

The objectives were clear:

• Deliver timely updates on tax policy and planning
• Explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on finance and accounting
• Unpack the latest trends in financial reporting and regulation
• Provide a grounded outlook on US economic conditions

With regulatory landscapes shifting and many mixed signals in the economy, this year’s CPE Conference arrived at a pivotal moment.

A Timely Deep Dive

Attendees heard from EY partners and guest speakers who broke down the latest SEC developments and the evolving role of technology in compliance and reporting.

The session on trends in financial reporting and regulation offered a practical look at SEC rulemaking, enforcement and comment letter trends. Further, attendees learned how the SEC’s focus areas — such as non-GAAP measures, segment reporting and revenue recognition — are impacting disclosures and creating new best practices.

“The big takeaway was that proactive engagement with regulators is more important than ever, and I appreciated the great discussion on what that engagement should look like,” said Taylor Sisson, EY Austin Office Managing Partner. “That’s our goal with this conference: to share ideas and perspectives with leaders in our community and give Austin professionals a valuable opportunity to build relationships.”

EY Demystifies AI

Artificial intelligence also took center stage at the conference, with EY leaders clearly illustrating what the tool means for finance and accounting teams. The conversation focused on tangible applications, including how AI can support reconciliations and financial statements, as well as the role AI plays in enhancing risk management and audit quality.

Attendees saw how AI is already streamlining processes and giving professionals the gift of time. The firm’s executives also talked about how to adopt thorough governance strategies when integrating AI into your business.

These tangible takeaways were a recurring theme, especially as the conversation shifted to the uncertain economic outlook for 2026.

“What I appreciate most about our CPE conference is how everyone leaves with action plans already in mind,” added Sisson. “It’s motivating to see more than a hundred passionate professionals come together to learn how they can strengthen their careers, their businesses and our broader economy.”

From his perspective, the event created a sense of community and shared purpose. In a time of rapid change, the opportunity to connect and learn from peers was much-needed.

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To express your interest in attending future EY Austin CPE Conferences, email AustinOfficeCommunications@ey.com.

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