AI and workforce strategies headline 2025 North America Leadership Conference

This year’s regional conference, which attracted 70 participants from 31 member firms including several from outside the region, focused on finding solutions to the critical challenges faced by midsize professional firms, among them, digital transformation, accounting staff shortages, succession planning, cybercrime and of course the change of administration in the US. 

The conference, sponsored by McGowan PRO, The Growth Partnership, and TOA Global, gave significant airtime to solutions to some of these issues such as generative AI and outsourcing. Training on tailored communication was also provided to firms’ future leaders by Cindy Kottoor of Mind Reach Training. 

On the topic of how Gen AI is shaping the future, Don Tomoff of Invenio Advisors gave CPA attendees a tour of the ‘Big 6’ products such as ClaudeAI, Gemini and Co-Pilot while describing ‘AI agents’ or ‘GPTs’ as the ‘next evolution in AI’ that will enable firms to make huge productivity gains. Lawyer attendees spent time with Jeff Grossman and Labro Dimitriou of Oxford Strategic Legal Advisors reviewing how law firms are beginning to use AI in the ‘front office’ as a work tool for research and data mining and in the ‘middle and back office’ to improve efficiency in everything from collections, marketing, knowledge management to knowledge services.  Carefully selected software vendors also demonstrated their AI driven solutions for tax preparation, meetings management and legal document drafting and contract review. 

Different outsourcing strategies were explored by Laurence Whittam of Impact Global Solutions with members coached on how to assess their ‘outsourcing readiness’. Key takeaways included the need to separate the firm’s data for security reasons and to visit the potential outsourcing partner in their home country before signing up. 

Keynote speaker Bob Lewis, President of The Visionary Group, presented on critical client management, explaining ‘Clients create culture’ and firms need to select the right clients, or they risk chasing away good staff. 

Cybersecurity also featured on the agenda with Frédérik Bernard, of Secure01 (part of Quebec accounting member HNA Group) describing cybercrime as ‘the world’s third largest economy’ and highlighting why robust cybersecurity is the responsibility of the Board.  

With so much change going on, Amanda Garner, President of The Growth Partnership was on hand to share her wisdom on change management strategies. Amanda explained that a firm’s leaders need to envision change for the staff to ensure the firm emerges faster from the inevitable performance dip that occurs when a significant change is introduced. 

Finally, a panel session on ‘Navigating post-election America’ enabled the alliance’s accounting and legal members to predict what Trump 2.0 might mean for tax, immigration, the Corporate Transparency Act, tariffs and M&A activity.  Sarah Kaehler of Golenbock (NY law member) commented that confidence is growing in the US ahead of Trump taking power with some $1.5 trillion cash ready to be deployed by private equity firms. 

Giles Brake, CEO of Alliott Global Alliance, commented:

"This year’s conference imparted a huge amount of practical information to attendees facing common challenges in this era of huge disruption. Thank you to our regional leadership team for their organisation as well as to our sponsors, partners, speakers and attendees who ensured we all return to our desks inspired and equipped with new ideas and strategies.”

About Alliott Global Alliance:

Founded in 1979, and with 225 member firms operating out of 340 offices in some 100 countries Alliott Global Alliance is an international alliance of independent, law, accounting, and  advisory firms, working across the world Together as One.

Each of our members share a common goal: to learn and share knowledge, resources, and opportunities to make the world smaller and their businesses stronger. We work with a spirit of generosity and openness — so that together, we can continue to fulfil our ambitions, gain greater experience, and drive mutual success.

Alliott Global Alliance is expanding fast, and the alliance has its sights set firmly on growing its legal and accounting membership to over 100 countries. Opportunities are available to independent professional firms in specific countries in Africa, Europe, China, the ASEAN region, Australasia, the Gulf Cooperation Council region, Central and South America and in North America. For information about membership email membership@alliottglobal.com.