{"id":28962,"date":"2025-12-23T07:53:12","date_gmt":"2025-12-23T14:53:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/universalaccountingschool.com\/?p=28962"},"modified":"2025-12-30T08:28:04","modified_gmt":"2025-12-30T15:28:04","slug":"meet-the-speakers-for-growcon-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/universalaccountingschool.com\/meet-the-speakers-for-growcon-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the Speakers for GrowCon 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The lineup for presenters scheduled to speak at GrowCon 2026, the premier conference for owners of bookkeeping, tax preparation, and advisory businesses has been revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In all, 14 industry leaders will share their strategies with accounting firm owners from May 4 to 6 in Salt Lake City, Utah during the seventh edition of GrowCon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’re ecstatic to unveil the unbelievable lineup of speakers who will be presenting in May. This collection of insiders contains some of the sharpest mind in the industry, from CEOs of successful consulting firms, to workflow experts, to professional networkers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything is shaping up for GrowCon 2026 to be the very best conference yet with these dynamite speakers leading the way. Plus, Universal Accounting’s events team will host its annual gala, a casino night, and a few more surprises that we can’t reveal quite yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s take a look at the lineup of speakers who will draw from their vast reservoir of experience building accounting firms to help you make 2026 your firm’s best year yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What better way is there to catch your breath after tax season and set a course for success for the new year than by joining us at GrowCon? Tickets are available online.<\/a> (Psst… A little secret:<\/em> You can get $300 off your ticket with the discount code TAX300<\/em>, but only if you grab your ticket before Jan. 2!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You won’t want to miss the insights these speakers will share with us at GrowCon. For a taste of the topics covered at the conference, check out the recap of presentations from GrowCon 2025<\/a>. If you have any questions about the conference, give us a call at 435-344-2060.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s dive in and get to know this prestigious speakers from A to Z.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrea Bell, Founder – Profitability Accounting Services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n

Andrea Bell is the founder of Profitability Accounting Services and the creator of Bold Balance, where she helps business owners and accounting professionals increase profit margins through tax strategy, productivity, and simple systems. After transforming her own practice from struggling to six figures in just six months by implementing the In the Black principles, Andrea now teaches others how to bridge the gap between knowing and doing. She is a financial strategist, speaker, and mentor passionate about helping professionals design profitable firms that create both income and freedom.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"ANDREA<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Marit Burmood, Owner & Tax Expert – Flair Financial<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Marit<\/figure>
\n

Marit Burmood is a seasoned tax advisor, small business coach, and financial educator with over a decade of experience helping individuals and entrepreneurs build financial stability and long-term success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She is a licensed CPA in the state of Utah, an Enrolled Agent, and holds both a B.S. in Accounting and a Master of Taxation from Weber State University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the founder of two highly successful tax advisory firms, Marit combines her deep technical expertise with a dynamic, people-first approach. Her approachable expertise and client-focused mindset make her a trusted advisor and a leading voice in the evolving landscape of tax advisory services.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

David Cristello, Founder & CEO – Jetpack Workflow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n

David Cristello is the founder and CEO of Jetpack Workflow, an Inc. 5000 company serving thousands of accounting firms worldwide. He is the co-author of the Amazon bestselling book Double Your Accounting Firm and host of the Growing Your Firm Podcast, which has surpassed 1 million downloads. A frequent industry presenter, David delivers practical strategies on workflow optimization, capacity planning, and scaling Client Accounting Services.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"David<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Wendy Lloyd Curley, Owner – Strategic Networking Party<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Alan<\/figure>
\n

Wendy Lloyd Curley is a leading authority on strategic networking, helping professionals transform casual conversations into powerful business relationships. As the founder of Strategic Networking and owner of BNI Sydney Northeast, she teaches people how to network with purpose, confidence, and measurable results.
Her signature keynote, Rock & Roll and Networking, uses music to make networking principles memorable and fun. Wendy\u2019s approach emphasizes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting clear intentions before events<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Identifying five key types of contacts (competitors, collaborators, service providers, and target clients)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building trust before making a pitch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following up effectively to deepen connections<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She\u2019s also the author of Stop Wasting Your Time Networking, a practical guide to making networking a high-return activity. Whether you\u2019re an introvert or extrovert, Wendy\u2019s techniques help you network smarter\u2014not harder.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Sean Duncan, President & Founder – SMD Consulting & Accounting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n

Sean M. Duncan, CPA is the president of SMD Consulting & Accounting and founder of Chief Proactive Advisors, LLC. built his reputation as a thought leader in the accounting industry by focusing on advising, teaching, and helping clients with proactive strategy and planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CPAs across the United States possess so much valuable knowledge about business, finances, AND taxes; but all too often they shy away from sharing their wisdom in a timely and actionable manner. Over the last 25+ years, Sean has accumulated a diverse and unique set of credentials and knowledge that he shares through speaking at conferences and events, in private seminars, one-on-one with clients, and with his very talented team at SMD.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Sean<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A recognized expert on comprehensive financial and business strategy, Sean M. Duncan, CPA has been a speaker at accounting events, financial advisor conferences, real estate investor conferences, Texas Bar Association events, medical forums, and many other conferences, webinars, and podcasts. He has contributed to Intuit\u2019s Accountant blog and is a frequent contributor to articles in The Dallas Morning News, Insightful Accountant, and other publications. Sean has also made numerous appearances as a TV, radio, and podcast guest across the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sharrin Fuller, Entrepreneur & Business Strategist – Glass Wallet Ventures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Sharrin<\/figure>
\n

Sharrin Fuller is a powerhouse entrepreneur, business strategist, author, and the brains behind Glass Wallet Ventures. She is the author of Three Days a Week: The Messy Truth of Burnout, Bad Decisions, and Building Again (Until It Worked), her raw and practical guide to scaling smart, leading loud, and living fully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She has built and sold two full-service accounting firms for 7-figure exits, all while running three companies in just three days a week. She is also an advisor to fintech startups and an active board member, known for helping leaders cut through chaos and build companies designed to thrive.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Sharrin is the creator of The Clone & Conquer Method\u2122, From Start-Up 2 Seven Figures\u2122, and the Remote Team Roadmap\u2122, frameworks that teach entrepreneurs how to delegate, scale efficiently, and build remote-first businesses that grow without burning out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With nearly two decades of experience since 2006, Sharrin has been recognized as a 3-time Intuit ProAdvisor Top 100 and was named a Top 10 ProAdvisor in 2025. Her no-fluff, real-world strategies empower leaders to streamline operations, boost profitability, and design a business and life that works.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether she\u2019s coaching entrepreneurs, advising fintech founders, or writing her next big idea, Sharrin is the go-to expert for service-based business owners ready to scale on their own terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eric Green, Managing Partner & Attorney – Tax Rep Network<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Eric<\/figure>
\n

Eric is a managing partner in Green & Sklarz LLC, a boutique tax firm with offices in Connecticut and New York. The focus of Attorney Green\u2019s practice is civil and criminal taxpayer representation before the Department of Justice Tax Division, Internal Revenue Service and state Departments of Revenue Services. Eric is a nationally renowned tax expert and author\/commentator of IRS civil and criminal tax matters. Having lectured to more than 70,000 practitioners on civil and criminal tax topics, he is one of the nation\u2019s best known lecturers in continuing professional tax education. Eric has been recognized by Connecticut Super Lawyers in the field of Tax. Attorney Green is a past Chair of the Executive Committee of the Connecticut Bar Association\u2019s Tax Section and is a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel (\u201cACTC\u201d).<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Eric was the 2010 Nolan Fellow of the American Bar Association and has served as Chair of the American Bar Association\u2019s Closely Held Businesses Tax Committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attorney Green is a frequent lecturer on tax topics for many national organizations, including Insightful Accountant, AICPA, CCH, the NAEA, the NATP, the ABA Tax Section and the Connecticut Society of CPAs. Attorney Green has served as adjunct faculty at the University of Connecticut School of Law. He was the creator of the IRS Representation Certificate Program for both CCH and the University of Connecticut School of Business. Eric is a contributing columnist for Bloomberg Tax and has served as a columnist for CCH\u2019s Journal of Practice & Procedure. He is the founder of Tax Rep LLC which coaches accountants and attorneys on building their own IRS Representation practices, and is the host of the weekly Tax Rep Network Podcast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Orum\u00e9 Agbeyegbe Hays, Owner & Founder – Hays CPA<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n

Orum\u00e9 Hays, CPA, CGMA, MST is the Founder and CEO of HAYS CPA LLC, a boutique client advisory and accounting services firm focusing on outsourced CFO services. she was recognized by Forbes as one of the Best-in-State CPAs for New York in 2025. In addition, she was named one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Accounting for 2022, 2023, and 2024 by the AICPA and CPA Practice Advisor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hays is the current Chair of the NYCPA Audit Committee and a current member of the AICPA\u2019s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS) Executive Committee. She is also an NYSSCPA statewide Director at Large, and past chair of both the NYSSCPA\u2019s Small Firms Practice Management Committee and the Relations with the IRS Committee.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Mara<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

An adjunct lecturer at the Lucille and Jay Chazanoff School of Business, College of Staten Island (CSI) of the City University of New York (CUNY), and a graduate advisor at Hunter College, CUNY, she often mentors students and encourages accounting students to pursue the CPA certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to advocating for the accountancy profession and diversity and equity in the profession, Hays is a freelance writer and a speaker on topics including Accounting, Business, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Entrepreneurship, Mentorship, and Taxes. She has presented at numerous conferences and has been interviewed on podcasts and professional journals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Christine Hollinden, Founder, Principle, Marketer – Hollinden Growth without Guesswork<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Charlie<\/figure>
\n

Christine Hollinden is the founding principal of Hollinden, a strategic consulting firm for expertise-driven professional service firms. Christine started her career in the consulting department of Grant Thornton, where she focused on debt and equity financing. She then joined PWC as Regional Communications Manager before being recruited to KPMG as Director of Marketing and Regional Marketing Director. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She holds numerous professional accreditations, including the Certified Professional Services Marketer, Certified Exit Planning Advisor, Certified Value Growth Advisor, and Certified Mergers and Acquisitions Advisor. Christine also holds a certificate in AI Prompting from the University of Texas at Austin. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Houston at Victoria and a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M University. She is the Chapter Leader of the Alliance of Mergers & Acquisition Advisors Houston, a member of the Board of Directors of the Texas Business Hall of Fame Foundation, executive committee member of Exit Planning Exchange Houston Chapter, and on the Board of Directors of the 5 Buckets Foundation for financial literacy.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Jackie Meyer, CPA, Founder, TaxPlanIQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n

Luke Kiely is a dynamic leader at the forefront of the cybersecurity and data compliance industries, with a career that spans over two decades. As the Founder of ComplyWise Online and Chief Information Security Officer at SmartVault, Luke has dedicated his life to protecting businesses, individuals, and organizations from the evolving threats of the digital world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luke\u2019s journey began with a foundation few in the industry can match: his early career in law enforcement, where he developed his skills in covert operations to track, monitor, and apprehend perpetrators of data-driven cybercrimes. These investigations placed him on the front lines of digital warfare, navigating the cyber underworld to ensure justice was served. It was here that Luke developed not only a mastery of information security but also an unrelenting passion for safeguarding people, physically and virtually.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Luke<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Transitioning from law enforcement into the corporate arena, Luke brought his unique expertise and insight to a range of senior leadership roles in some of the world\u2019s leading SaaS companies. From overseeing large-scale cybersecurity operations to ensuring compliance with stringent global data regulations, Luke has become a trusted authority in information security. His ability to stay ahead of emerging threats, coupled with his strategic vision, has solidified his reputation as a thought leader in the field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the Founder of ComplyWise online, Luke took his commitment to data compliance to the next level. His mission was clear: to simplify and demystify the complexities of regulatory compliance for businesses of all sizes. Under his leadership, ComplyWise online has become an innovator, empowering firms to meet their compliance obligations with confidence and ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roger Knecht, President, Universal Accounting Center<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n

President of Universal Accounting Center, a post-secondary school for accounting professionals. With three decades of marketing, sales, HR & operations experience, Roger has helped thousands of business owners work ON their businesses to increase revenue, improve profits and build value. His strong work ethic and collaborative style delivers reliable, high-quality results for business owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roger\u2019s podcast, Building the Premier Accounting Firm, keeps accounting professionals on the cutting edge of the industry offering quality bookkeeping, accounting, and tax services. He hosts discussions with some of the accounting world\u2019s best minds and shares actionable insights for firms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roger is the author of \u201cYour Strategic Accountant\u201d and \u201cYour Profit & Growth Expert\u201d, each written to help business owners understand what they can expect from the accounting profession. <\/p>\n<\/div>

\"GC25<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Universal Accounting provides accounting professionals with the training, certifications, coaching, and support they need to become Profit and Growth Experts for their clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to have the premier accounting firm in your area contact Roger and his team at 435-344-2060 or visit them online at www.universalaccounting.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adam Lean, Founder & Principle – The CFO Project<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Adam<\/figure>
\n

Adam Lean is a former accountant turned 2-time entrepreneur who built, scaled, and sold two businesses. While helping other business owners, he realized his passion was teaching and providing tools to business owners to help them make more money and have a peace-of-mind. He currently runs The CFO Project \u2013 a training company that trains financial professionals on how to offer an outsourced CFO and business advisory service.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Brian Mayoral, Co-Founder & CEO – Sell Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n

Brian Mayoral is the Co-Founder and CEO of Sell Up, the leading outsourced sales firm for accounting firms and tax advisors. In the past 18 months, Sell Up has helped clients triple their cash collected and add over $14 million in new revenue. From tax planning and tax preparation to advisory services, Brian and his team specialize in closing high-value engagements that turn sales into a true growth engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before launching Sell Up, Brian was the #1 National Speaker and Top Peak Performance Strategist for Tony Robbins, where he delivered more than 850 sales trainings nationwide and broke multiple company records. He now brings that same high-performance edge to the accounting industry through the Sell Up Method, a proven framework for consistently closing bigger, more profitable deals.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Brian<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Sell Up partners with firms like Tax Relief Advocates and Tyler McBroom\u2019s practice, along with other fast-growing firms across the country. In addition to serving as a done-for-you sales team, Sell Up also trains and develops internal sales teams, giving accounting firms a long-term foundation for scalable growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout his career, Brian has trained organizations such as Celebrity Cruises, La Mer, Success Magazine, Good Morning Texas, T-Mobile, and many others. Today, he is recognized as the trusted partner for ambitious accounting firms that want to grow faster, serve more clients, and unlock the full potential of their business<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jaime Rodriguez, Owner & CEO, Bookkeepers.com<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Jaime<\/figure>
\n

Jaime Rodriguez is the owner and CEO of Bookkeepers.com, a company dedicated to helping people learn the skill of bookkeeping and build their own bookkeeping businesses. His journey began as a student of the course in 2017, which led him from running his own thriving bookkeeping business to eventually acquiring the very company that taught him how to be an entrepreneur. Jaime has built a reputation for making complex ideas simple, while helping aspiring bookkeepers gain confidence, clients, and freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond teaching the technical side of bookkeeping, Jaime is passionate about building community and pushing the profession forward. He speaks at industry conferences, hosts webinars and workshops, and develops innovative tools and resources, like AI-powered agents, to help bookkeepers save time and grow smarter. He\u2019s also the author of Beyond the Numbers, a book about the power of exceptional customer service in business.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Join Us in Salt Lake City!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We can’t wait to learn from all of these incredible professionals, and we’re sure that what they share will make a huge difference for the future of your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember that tickets for GrowCon are still available.<\/a> You won’t want to miss this incredible event, both for the sake of yourself and your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have any questions about the conference or about running your own accounting business, give us a call at 435-344-2060.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The lineup for presenters scheduled to speak at GrowCon 2026, the premier conference for owners of bookkeeping, tax preparation, and advisory businesses has been revealed. In all, 14 industry leaders will share their strategies with accounting firm owners from May 4 to 6 in Salt Lake City, Utah during the seventh edition of GrowCon. We’re […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":33,"featured_media":28127,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[101,306,122,294,285,280,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28962","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uac-news","category-grow-business","category-grow-bookkeeping-business","category-grow-cfo-advisory-business","category-grow-tax-preparation-business","category-grow-accounting-business","category-uac"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/universalaccountingschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28962","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/universalaccountingschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/universalaccountingschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalaccountingschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/33"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalaccountingschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28962"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/universalaccountingschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28962\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalaccountingschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28127"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/universalaccountingschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28962"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalaccountingschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28962"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalaccountingschool.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28962"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}