Personal Financial Planning Conference (E2411830)

This conference is presented by the Maryland Association of CPAs (MACPA) in cooperation with the NJCPA.

8-8:50 a.m.
The Language of Referrals
Bill Cates, CSP, CPAE, President - The Original Referral Coach
This session you will help you discover how to increase your unsolicited referrals to more right-fit clients. You will also learn how to turn a client’s willingness to refer into an effective connection with a prospective client. This will allow you to increase your revenue without increasing your marketing budget.

9-9:50 a.m.
Planning Now For the 2026 CLIFF
Robert S. Keebler, CPA/PFS, MST, AEP (Distinguished), Partner - Keebler & Associates, LLP
The scheduled reduction of the Federal Estate Exemption amount by one-half on January 1st, 2026 is causing a great many affluent taxpayers to consider what actions to take with respect to large gifts and other strategies. These clients will be best served by considering what planning techniques or series of techniques can be used to maximize estate tax reduction while allowing the client to maintain as much control as possible and remaining assets and/or access thereto to assure that the clients do not run out of assets during their lifetimes.

10-10:50 a.m.
Estate Planning IRAs In a Second Marriage
Robert S. Keebler, CPA/PFS, MST, AEP (Distinguished), Partner - Keebler & Associates, LLP
Estate planning for IRAs in a second marriage is a topic filled with hidden landmines just waiting to trip up the unsuspecting advisor. The dangers inherent in using Conduit Trusts is a perfect example. Another example is an IRA payable to a QTIP trust. which sets up a problematic mismatch between how state law defines "fiduciary accounting income" and the surviving spouse's expectations as to what kind of income s/he would actually received. Learn how to sharpen your skills and understand the technical rules so you don't make that one fatal mistake.

11-11:50 a.m.
Keeping Employees Engaged in a Hybrid Work Environment
Kelley C. Long, CPA/PFS, CFP
Remote work is here to stay, at least for professional services and personal financial planning firms. How do you allow employees requested flexibility to work outside the office without risking disengagement or loss of talent? Learn subtle pitfalls to avoid as well as best practices to keep both in-office and remote workers engaged in the company culture for the ultimate success of all stakeholders.

11:50 a.m.-12:40 p.m.
Lunch Break

12:40-1:30 p.m.
Advanced Strategies for Health Savings Accounts
Kelley C. Long, CPA/PFS, CFP
Health Savings Accounts continue to gain popularity as a triple-tax free retirement and healthcare planning vehicle and are looking to their trusted advisor for answers around the nuances. The session will take a deep dive into the details of Health Savings Accounts, offering best practices for maximizing the wealth-building aspects as well as common pitfalls to avoid. Expect tips on navigating Medicare enrollment along with HSA contributions, utilizing a super HSA as well as end-of-life HSA planning for maximum tax-efficiency.

1:40-2:30 p.m.
ETFs vs Mutual funds
Bryan Armour, CFA, Director of Passive Strategies for North America - Morningstar Research Services, LLC
ETFs are eating the fund world. Over the past five years, investors have added $5 trillion more to ETFs than mutual funds. But ETFs aren't always the optimal investment vehicle. In this session, learn about ETF advantages that really matter to investors and what to consider before buying an ETF or a mutual fund.

2:40-3:30 p.m.
Leveraging Behavioral Finance in Investment Decisions
Ed Stubbins, CFA, Partner, Fuller & Thaler Asset Management
The session will focus on ways that behavioral mistakes can be predicted and leveraged in the investment decision making process.

3:40-4:30 p.m.
Economic Update
Daraius Irani, Ph.D., Vice President, Strategic Partnerships & Applied Research - Towson University