PICPA × Tri-Merit’s Bridging the Gap Roadshow: Community, Connection, Collaboration

Co-hosted by PICPA and Tri-Merit’s Bridging the Gap (BTG), this engaging afternoon event unites professionals from small, mid-sized, and large accounting firms with innovative technology leaders to explore key strategies for strengthening community, deepening professional connections, and fostering smarter collaboration across the industry. Participants will gain actionable insights through open and authentic discussions, and conclude the day with a happy hour designed to inspire meaningful new relationships and continued collaboration.

1:00 – 1:20 PM | Arrival & Mingling

Light refreshments and quick icebreakers to connect firms and partners.

1:20 – 1:30 PM | Welcome

Housekeeping, purpose, and event overview.

1:30 – 2:20 PM | Keynote: Building Community in Accounting

Stories and practical plays to build a community-first firm presented by Randy Crabtree and Elliott Bastien Morin.

Community isn’t a feel-good extra - it’s the operating system. Randy and Elliott show how firms and solution providers build community together to improve retention, performance, and client impact, treating the ecosystem as one industry with shared goals.

Learning objectives:

1. Identify two community practices that strengthen trust across firms and vendor partners.

2. Describe a cadence (rituals/meetings) that keeps practitioners and tech aligned on outcomes.

3. Apply a 30-day launch plan for one cross-ecosystem community initiative.

2:20 – 2:30 PM | Break

2:30 – 3:20 PM | Firm Panel: Key Issues & Struggles

Discussion on talent, pricing/margins, client expectations, and culture moderated by Dan Hood with panelists Jacob Cohen, Al-Nesha Jones, and more TBA.

Leaders from firms of different sizes compare what’s working (and what isn’t) in talent, pricing, client expectations, and culture; plus, how they co-design solutions with technology partners rather than buying tools in a vacuum.

Learning objectives:

1. Compare how small/mid/large firms structure connections with clients, teams, and vendors.

2. Identify two “micro-moments” (onboarding, QBRs, renewals) where joint firm-tech workflows reduce friction.

3. Evaluate one practice to stop and one to start to improve cross-partner collaboration.

3:20 – 3:30 PM | Break

3:30 – 4:10 PM | Tech/AI Panel: Real-World Collaboration

Concrete workflows, integrations, AI use cases, and change management moderated by Seth Fineberg with panelists Nick Boscia, Davis Cristello, and Milo Spirig.

Practitioners and technology leaders share how they co-create processes: using AI and connected apps to cut rework, clarify expectations, and free humans for higher-value conversations. The premise: vendors and firms are one industry, building together.

Learning objectives:

1. Identify two AI/automation use cases that improve human connection (clearer recaps, faster handoffs).

2. Describe guardrails for joint pilots (quality, security, governance, change management).

3. Outline a 60-day co-pilot plan (people, process, platform, success metrics) run with a vendor partner.

4:10 – 4:15 PM | Break

4:15 – 4:55 PM | Outsourced Partners: Collaboration Discussion

How firms and specialized providers partner as one team—sharing scope, messaging, and metrics—to expand capacity and elevate client results without losing relationship equity. Facilitated by Randy Crabtree with panelists TBA.

Learning objectives:

1. Distinguish when to build in-house vs. collaborate with an outsourced specialist—and how to decide together.

2. Draft a client-facing message that frames collaboration as added expertise and shared accountability.

3. Define two joint KPIs (e.g., cycle time, CSAT/referrals) and a simple review cadence both sides adopt.

4:55 – 6:30 PM | Onsite Happy Hour & Snacks

Curated introductions and peer connections.