Young Professionals Leadership Conference 2026
Availability
Registration Required
(92 seats available)
UBS Tower, 1 N Wacker, Chicago, IL 60606
Nov 18, 2026 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM CT
Cost
Member: $100.00
Non-Member: $125.00
Retired: $100.00
Educator & Government & Non-Profit Member: $100.00
Credit Offered
2 CPE Credits
Your Career, Your Way.

The best careers aren't built on autopilot. They’re shaped by the choices you make, the opportunities you pursue, and how you define success for yourself.

Join fellow emerging leaders to hear how professionals across accounting, finance, and business have built careers that reflect their individual interests and goals. You’ll gain practical advice for taking greater ownership in your current role, navigating important career decisions, and creating a path that is uniquely yours.

You’ll also celebrate this year’s Joshua D. Lance Young Professional Leadership Award recipient and connect with other professionals who are building what comes next.
Interested in buying a table and saving money on your team's registration? Email Andrew Rogers, rogersa@icpas.org, for more information.
Early-career accounting professionals, future CPAs, and accounting students (ages 18-36 or under 10 years of professional experience)

8:00-8:30 a.m. | Registration and Breakfast 

8:30-9:10 a.m. | Opening Remarks, Awards Presentation, and Networking

9:10-10:15 a.m. | Taking Ownership in Your Role and Across Your Career
Technology and new business models may have reduced some traditional “busy work,” but they’ve also raised expectations. You’re being asked to think bigger, contribute sooner, and help drive growth, all while delivering high-quality work. Explore what it means to take ownership at a micro level—team meetings, 1:1 meetings, and client relationships—to broader organizational priorities. You’ll leave with practical ways to show greater initiative, strengthen your impact, and take a more active role in shaping your future.

10:15-10:45 a.m. | Break

10:45-11:50 a.m. | Panel: Chart Your Own Course—Unique Pathways in Accounting
There’s no single path to a successful career in accounting. Hear from professionals who have built rewarding careers across public accounting, corporate finance, and other areas of business. They’ll share the decisions, challenges, and unexpected opportunities that shaped their journeys, along with advice to help you explore your options and confidently choose what’s right for you.

11:50 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Break 

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