These peer groups enable up-and-coming, managing, and leading partners to build meaningful relationships in the CPA community while addressing common challenges, exploring professional trends, and building meaningful, valuable relationships. Guest speakers and facilitators further extend opportunities for information, networking, and connection. Each group has a deep roster of ~25 members, enabling lively, valuable interaction at every meeting.
We have three groups to choose from: The Chicago NextGen Accelerator (below), The Chicago Managing Partner Accelerator and The Chicago Entrepreneurial Firm Accelerator. Each group meets eight times between May and February. The meetings alternate between in-person and virtual.
2024-2025 Chicago NextGen Accelerator: Topics and Calendar
Meeting time unless otherwise noted is 8:30 – 11:30am
All In-Person Meetings to be held at the Renaissance North Shore, 933 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, IL 60062
| Date | Location | Topic(s) |
|---|---|---|
| May 9 | In Person at Renaissance North Shore | “Busy Season Recap“ Art Kuesel |
| June 6 | Via Zoom | “A Prescriptive Guide to Becoming a Tech-Forward Firm” Pat Morrell/AIWYN |
| July 11 | In Person at Renaissance North Shore | “From $10 – 30M+ Q&A on Best Practices for Growth & Success” Steve McDonald, ABDO |
| August 8 | Via Zoom | “Accounting Department Chair Panel” Brad Cripe, Northern Illinois University and Kevin Rich, Marquette University |
| October 2 | In Person at Renaissance North Shore | “2024 Rosenberg Benchmarking Survey” Art Kuesel |
| November 7 | In Person at Renaissance North Shore | “Re-Imagine and Revolutionize your Firm’s work Experience” Michael Barata, Culture Rx |
| December 5 | Via Zoom | “Exploring the PE Model of Ascend” Nish, Ruparel, Ascend |
| January 23, 2025 | In Person at Renaissance North Shore | “Future Proof your Leadership” Jon Lokhorst, CPA |
| February 6, 2025 *8:30 – 10:00am* | Via Zoom | “Hot topics as needed” Art Kuesel |
2024-2025 Chicago Managing Partner Accelerator: Topics and Calendar
Meeting time unless otherwise noted is 8:30 – 11:30am
All In-Person Meetings to be held at the Renaissance North Shore, 933 Skokie Blvd, Northbrook, IL 60062 unless otherwise noted
| Date | Location | Topic(s) |
|---|---|---|
| May 8 | In Person at Renaissance North Shore | “Busy Season Recap and 2024 Priorities” Art Kuesel and Chris Schulz |
| June 5 | In Person at Renaissance North Shore | “How to Drive Automation Adoption at your Firm” Pat Morrell/AIWYN |
| July 10 | In Person at Renaissance North Shore | “M&A Update, Private Equity in the Profession” Gary Thomson, Thomson Consulting |
| August 7 | Via Zoom | “Exploring the PE Model of Ascend” Nish Ruparel, Ascend |
| October 1 | In Person at Renaissance North Shore | “2024 Rosenberg Benchmarking Survey” Art Kuesel |
| November 6 | In Person at Renaissance North Shore | “Update on the Profession through the lens of 250 BDO Alliance Members” Michael Horwitz, BDO Alliance |
| December 4 | Via Zoom | “Future Proof your Leadership” Jon Lokhorst, CPA |
| January 22, 2025 | In Person at Renaissance North Shore | “Managing Partner Series: Connie Hammel” Connie Hammell, KWC |
| February 5, 2025 *8:30 – 10:00am* | Via Zoom | “Hot Topics as Needed” Art Kuesel |
2024-2025: The Entrepreneurial Firm Accelerator
Your 2024-2025 experience in The Entrepreneurial Firm Accelerator includes 9 group meetings plus the following Accelerator Special Events:
- Fall and Spring Wellness Wednesdays (12+)
- Quarterly IT Update (4)
- Specialty Tax Spotlight (4)
Meeting time unless otherwise noted is 8:30 – 11:30am
All In-Person Meetings to be held at the Renaissance North Shore, 933 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook IL 60062
| Date | Location | Topic(s) |
|---|---|---|
| May 7 | In person at The Renaissance North Shore | Opportunity Season Recap & Top 2024 Priorities Art Kuesel |
| June 4 | In person at The Renaissance North Shore | “Exploring Offshoring for the Small Firm” Ed Hoynes, Community Accounting |
| July 9 | In person at The Renaissance North Shore | “IT Security Update“ Frank Stephens, Online CTS |
| August 6 | Via Zoom | “Online Lead Generation Strategies” Katie Tolin, CPA Growth Guides |
| September 30 | In person at The Renaissance North Shore | “2024 Rosenberg Benchmarking Survey“ Art Kuesel |
| November 5 | In person at The Renaissance North Shore | “Quantified Risk Assessment and FTC Safeguards“ Vince Mazza, Guard Street Partners |
| December 3 | Via Zoom | “Private Equity Models for Small Firms“ Geoff Bruskin, White Tiger Connections |
| January 21, 2025 | In person at The Renaissance North Shore | “Annual Tax Update“ Mark Gallegos, Porte Brown |
| February 4, 2025 | Via Zoom | “Best Practices for Social Security“ Avi Sacks, Esq. |
| May 6, 2025 | In person at The Renaissance North Shore | Opportunity Season Recap & Top 2025 Priorities Art Kuesel |
Your Facilitators:
Art Kuesel, President Kuesel Consulting, and Marc Rosenberg, CPA, President Rosenberg Associates
The Chicago Roundtables have enjoyed nearly 30 years of success and draw upon the proven best practices model first developed by Marc Rosenberg.
Fees and CPE Credits
Chicago NextGen Roundtable
For up-and-coming leaders and partners
Fees: $4,000 per person, per year
CPE Credits: up to 26
Chicago North Shore Roundtable
For established leaders and managing partners
Fees: $4000 per person, per year
CPE Credits: up to 26
Chicago Wilmette Roundtable Prospectus
For established leaders and managing partners at smaller firms
Fees: $3000 per person, per year
CPE Credits: up to 26