The Hidden Compliance Crisis: How 2026 Changes to CPA Licensing and Mobility Laws Will Impact Firm Operations

Date: Thursday, May 14, 2026
Time: 03:00 PM ET / 02:00 PM CT / 01:00 PM MT / 12:00 PM PT [Prevailing Time]
Presenters: Lindsay Patterson, CPA CIA, CEO, CPA Quality Pro, Julia Woislaw, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Regulatory Affairs, CPA Quality Pro
Moderator:
Objective(s):
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Explain recent changes to CPA licensure pathways and mobility laws and how they impact firm operations, hiring, and cross-state practice rights.
• Identify common compliance failures affecting CPA firms, based on recent state board enforcement actions and operational trends.
• Implement practical governance strategies and internal controls to strengthen firm-wide compliance and reduce regulatory risk.
Field of Study: Operations
Program Level: Intermediate
CPE Credit: 1 Credit Hour
Delivery Method: Group Internet-based

No advanced preparation or prerequisites are required for this course.

Course Description

CPA firm leaders are navigating a rapidly changing regulatory environment this year, as updates to CPA licensure pathways and mobility laws reshape how firms hire talent, serve clients across state lines, and manage compliance risk. While much of the conversation has focused on individual CPAs, firm management teams are increasingly responsible for understanding how these changes impact remote employees, attest services, and multi-state operations.

This session will translate complex licensing changes into practical business guidance. Attendees will learn where firms are most vulnerable based on recent state board enforcement actions, common operational blind spots, and the internal processes leading firms are using to reduce risk. Participants will leave with actionable steps to strengthen governance, protect growth plans, and future-proof their firms in an increasingly complex compliance landscape.

Presenter and Moderator Bios

Presenter: Lindsay Patterson, CPA CIA, CEO, CPA Quality Pro

Lindsay N. Patterson, CPA CIA is the Co-Founder and CEO of CPA QualityPro, a software that helps accounting firms stay in compliance with increasingly complex licensure requirements across all 55 U.S. jurisdictions.

Patterson has over 15 years of experience in finance, accounting, and not-for-profit leadership. Prior to founding CPA QualityPro, she served as Executive Vice President of Membership, Marketing, and Communications at The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), where she led global membership growth, stakeholder communications, chapter engagement, and business development initiatives. Earlier in her career, she served in multiple roles at the American Institute of CPAs, supporting efforts related to state accountancy laws and regulations, the CPA Exam, accounting standards, and more.

She currently serves on the Beta Alpha Psi Board of Directors, the American Accounting Association Foundation Board of Trustees, and the American Psychological Association Board of Directors. She is also a CPA Practice Advisor 40 Under 40 honoree.

Patterson holds a Master’s degree in Accounting from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Oklahoma, and two Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Texas at Austin—one in Government and the other in Journalism. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Certified Association Executive (CAE).

Presenter: Julia Woislaw, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Regulatory Affairs, CPA Quality Pro

Julia Woislaw is the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Regulatory Affairs at CPA Quality Pro. Woislaw brings over a decade of experience in licensing, advocacy, and communications in the CPA profession. Most recently, she served as Director of State Society Relations at the American Institute of CPAs, where she led engagement strategies with state CPA societies nationwide.

Woislaw holds a Master of Jurisprudence degree from the Texas A&M School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Law and Society from American University.

Cost
$40.00 for CPAFMA Members / $80.00 for Non-Members / Free for PAFMs

  Online Registration

Delivery System

• All programs are delivered using the Zoom platform.
• Confirmations will include log-in instructions.
• Participants are able to participate using any device with an Internet connect (if the device does not have speakers, the participant can also dial-in) or they can participate with audio only by dialing in.
• All registrants will receive a link to the webinar’s recording by email within 48 business hours of event’s conclusion.
• There will be assistance available to help with technical and connectivity issues up to 10 minutes prior to the start of the presentation.

Registration

All registration is done on-line with the names and email addresses of each individual guest. Log-in details will be emailed to all registrants approximately 1-2 days prior to each session.

Refund Policy

CPAFMA will not issue refunds for webinars. If a registrant is unable to participate in the webinar and sends written notice to info@cpafma.org 48 hours prior to the session, a credit will be provided for a future webinar. Alert the CPAFMA staff member monitoring the webinar if technical difficulties are encountered and technical support will be provided to eliminate problems with future webinars.

Additional Information

Live participation is required for CPE credit and polling questions must be answered to show active participation. All registrants will receive an email following the session with links to the slides and/or handouts, and a link to the webinar recording (unless otherwise stated). If you are unable to participate in the live session, you can still watch the recorded session, but you will not be eligible for CPE credits.

For more information regarding CPAFMA webinars or administrative policies such as complaint and refund, contact the CPAFMA Headquarters at 937-222-0030, or info@cpafma.org.