Courses

AGENDA

7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. Breakfast 
8:00 a.m. - 8:05 a.m. Welcome - VTCPA Chair, Matthew Cleare 
8:05 a.m. - 9:35 a.m. ZAP The Generation Gap – Meagan Johnson
9:35 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Networking Refreshment Break
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Employment Law Update - Alexandra H. Clauss, Esq.
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Luncheon 
1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Working With the Taxpayer Advocate Service for Tax Professionals – Bob Fett 
1:30 p.m. - 2:20 p.m. IRS Miscellaneous Updates – Odette Turenne 
2:20 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. VT Tax Department Update – Sharon Asay 
3:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Refreshment Break
3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. VTCPA Business meeting
 4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Legislative Update/Summary - Jamie Feehan, Primer, Piper, Eggleston & Cramer
 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Social Hour and iPad Door Prize Drawing

ZAP THE GENERATIONAL GAP!
Transforming, Recruiting, Retaining and Engaging Multi-Generational Teams Having a Generational Misunderstanding is nothing new. Many of us have walked away from a multi-generational interaction with less than stellar results. We are left scratching our heads, thinking, “is this a generational issue or a personality problem?” Combined with conflicting generational information and blatant generational stereotypes, it can be a challenge to forge a new path with the multi-generational people in our lives. 

Now, following a global pandemic, it has become increasingly necessary to separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to debunking Generational myths and truths. The truth is, the workforce, and possibly your household, spans across five generations. Each generation has experienced the pandemic through a different generational lens. On one end of the spectrum, the younger generations in the workforce, are beginning their careers during one of the largest global upheavals the world has experienced. On the other end, an entire generation, on the precipice of retirement, is learning how to conduct business in an increasingly digital environment. It can be a struggle to find the right balance between the sometimes-conflicting needs of each generation.

Employment Law Update - Alexandra H. Clauss, Esq. - Alexa is an attorney and Director at Downs Rachlin Martin. Alexa advises companies on matters related to hiring, worker classification, performance management, termination, accommodations, wage and hour laws, and leaves of absence. She is retained to conduct workplace trainings and investigations related to employee misconduct, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, and she counsels companies on their investigative processes. She represents employers facing audits or complaints before state and federal government agencies. Alexa also drafts and reviews executive employment agreements, separation agreements, employee handbooks, policies, and agreements that protect businesses’ valuable assets. She is frequently called upon by clients and local organizations to speak on a variety of human resources topics and employment law developments. She is admitted to practice law in Vermont, New Hampshire, and California. 

Working With the Taxpayer Advocate Service for Tax Professionals - Bob Fett, IRS Stakeholder Liaison - Bob Fett moved to Vermont 39 years ago to work for the University of Vermont Consulting Archaeology Program. He has worked for the IRS for 35 years. He started out as a Taxpayer Service Representative, teaching self-employment and business taxes to small business startups and moved up through the service to become the manager of IRS walk-in offices in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. 16 years ago, he was appointed the IRS’s Taxpayer Advocate for the State of Vermont, the position he currently occupies today.

IRS Miscellaneous Updates -Odette Turenne - Odette Turenne is a Senior Stakeholder Liaison with the Stakeholder Liaison office of the Internal Revenue Service Communications & Liaison Division. Odette began her career with the Internal Revenue Service 36 years ago as a Revenue Agent in the Examination Division of the Small Business/Self-Employed Operating Division of IRS. Currently, as a Senior Stakeholder Liaison, Odette represents the IRS at education and outreach events and works with tax professionals, payroll providers, industry and trade associations, small business owners, and other federal, state and local government agencies. She speaks at organization meetings, conferences, seminars, forums, and workshops on tax related topics relevant to the tax professional and small business audience. Odette is a graduate of Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.

Vermont Tax Department Update - Sharon Asay, Director of Finance, Vermont Department of Taxes - Sharon Asay has been the Director of the Finance Division at the Vermont Department of Taxes for almost three years. Prior to that, she was the Director of the Taxpayer Services Division for over twelve years. Sharon came to the Department in 2007, with more than twenty-five years of experience in public accounting. Prior to joining the Department, she managed her own certified public accounting (CPA) firm in the state of New Jersey. Sharon has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is currently a licensed CPA in Vermont.

2023 Legislative Wrap-Up - Jamie Feehan - Jamie Feehan brings more than 18 years of experience working before the Vermont General Assembly to his work on behalf of clients. In that time, he has built a reputation for non-partisan, honest work, bolstered by a thorough understanding of the legislative process. Jamie is known for his ability to develop legislative and administrative action plans, then implement all aspects of those plans, including grass roots and grass tops mobilization.

Business Meeting

Vermont beer tasting ~ Ipad and Amazon Gift Card Doorprizes!

Our Annual Meeting Fee is All-Inclusive: 8 CPE Hours, Breakfast, Luncheon, Refreshment Breaks, and Networking Social Hour with Open Bar and hors d'oeuvres.