During this Focus Group, we'll build on last week's Annual Goal Setting Preparation webinar. If you didn't attend, you can watch the recording in the Resource Library. With extension season in full swing, real planning is probably still a few weeks out for most of us, so this session is about doing the reflection now, while the year's still fresh, and learning from how others are thinking about what's ahead. Come ready to discuss some or all of the following:

Discussion Questions:

1. What's this year told you so far? You've still got runway left in the year, but the big patterns are probably clear by now — what's working, what's worn you out, what keeps getting pushed. What's one thing you already know you want to carry into next year's planning?
2. What do you not want to lose track of before you plan? Once you're past 10/15 and finally sitting down to plan, what's the insight or frustration from this year you'd kick yourself for forgetting? Name it now so it's captured.
3. How are you protecting time to actually plan? Planning tends to get squeezed out by client work. When are you carving out the space, and are you doing it solo or pulling your team in? Swap approaches with the group.

Date: September 23, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM Central Time (US & Canada)

Focus Groups are not eligible for CPE.

Firm owners and changemakers, it's time to Gather. As we begin to wrap up the year, we'll celebrate how far we’ve come and chart the course for what’s ahead. At Gather 2026, connect with peers, collaborate with industry experts, and plan for 2027. This conference isn’t just about reflection—it’s a launchpad for what’s next.  Come ready to swap stories, snag fresh ideas, and soak up the best southern hospitality. Gather 2026 is open to members and non-members alike. 

Details:

• October 19-20, 2026
• Hotel Vin Grapevine/DFW, TX
• 12 CPE Credits
• For accounting firms with $500K–$5M in revenue, with dedicated learning tracks for partners and team members who make change happen 

Topics:

• Improving accounting firm performance
• Growing a remote or hybrid team
• Client onboarding process
• Leadership skill development
• AI in specific firm roles
• Developing your 2027 firm roadmap

The difference between being busy and being effective is knowing what deserves your attention. Join us for this member exclusive session to learn a practical approach to getting the right work done at the right time, making confident decisions about competing priorities, and staying ahead instead of catching up. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Distinguish between high-value and low-value tasks using prioritization frameworks.

2. Define decision-making techniques to manage competing responsibilities.

Who Should Attend: Firm team members involved in financial preparation, review, and workflow management.

CPE Credit: 1 hour

We've talked through the stages firms move through as AI shifts from one person's experiment to something the whole team relies on, and the questions worth asking along the way. This session picks up right there. If you've started to map out where your firm stands, this is where we get practical: what does an actual AI framework look like, and how do you build one your team will use? We'll walk through how to turn scattered, one-off AI use into a structure with clear ownership, workflows, and guardrails, so adoption stops depending on one person and starts becoming part of how your firm operates. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the core components of a firm-wide AI framework, including ownership, workflows, and guardrails.
2. Learn a practical approach for turning individual AI experimentation into a structure the whole team can follow.

Intended Audience: This session is for all firm team members, especially staff involved in the financial statement preparation or review process.

CPE available: 1 credit

Date: November 4, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM Central Time (US & Canada) 

Stay current with the latest software updates in our Fall Technology Update, exclusively for Collective Community members.

📅 November 12, 2026
⏰ 12:00 PM CT

Held each Spring and Fall, these technology updates are designed to help your team stay informed on new features, functionality, and updates across key software systems used in your accounting firm.

What You’ll Learn

• Recent updates and enhancements in key platforms
• New features that can improve efficiency and workflows
• Practical ways to implement and use updated tools

Learning Objective

• Identify new features and functionality in key software systems

Who Should Attend

This session is designed for all team members, from leadership to staff.

CPE Credit

• 1 CPE credit available

Not yet a member of Collective by DBA? Learn how to join by clicking the button below.

Discover the latest tools available to support your accounting firm in our Winter Resource Update, exclusively for Collective Community members.

📅 December 1, 2026
⏰ 2:00 PM CT

Our Resource Updates, held each Summer and Winter, are designed to keep you informed on new and updated Collective resources and how to effectively implement them within your accounting firm.

What You’ll Learn

• Overview of newly available Collective resources
• The purpose behind each resource and how it supports your firm
• Practical ways to utilize resources for greater efficiency and impact

Learning Objective

• Identify how new Collective resources can be used in your firm

Who Should Attend

This session is ideal for all team members, from leadership to staff, looking to better leverage Collective resources.

CPE Information

• 1 CPE credit available

   

If you have not joined Collective by DBA, click the button below to get signed up!