FICPA Legislative Town Hall and 2025 Post Session Review
2.0 Credits
Member Price $0.00
Non-Member Price $100.00
Overview
Legislative Town Hall and 2025 Post Session Review
May 7, 2025 / 10 a.m.-12 p.m. / 2 Hours of CPE
The 2025 legislative session is shaping up to be one of the most important and transformative in years for the CPA profession. With the regular session concluding on May 2, the FICPA is excited to introduce you to key developments that may affect your business and profession.
This year, numerous bills were filed that could impact the CPA profession, including priority legislation supported by the FICPA aimed at opening new pathways to licensure and strengthening practice mobility.
During this town hall, we will provide an in-depth overview of the major issues and bills that passed and will look at the FICPA’s key priorities.
Register now to get the inside scoop and stay informed about everything you need to know.
The session is free with registration. Space is limited, so don’t miss this opportunity to get an inside look at the state’s legislative process.
Meet Your FICPA Presenters
- President and CEO Shelly Weir
- Chief External Affairs Officer Jason Harrell
- Deputy Director of Governmental Affairs Lauren Jones
- Legislative and Governance Manager Brayden Harrell
Highlights
FICPA Governmental Affairs overview.
- Post-session review and issues of importance to the profession.
- Update on FICPA priorities and advocacy efforts.
Other major policy initiatives pursued by the legislature including:
- Protecting and strengthening practice mobility.
- New pathways to CPA licensure.
- State tax policy.
- State budget
Prerequisites
None
Designed For
CPAs, accountants, FICPA members and professionals interested in accounting legislation.
Objectives
The objective of this session is to educate FICPA members and others about FICPA legislative advocacy efforts and priorities, legislation directly impacting the CPA profession and information about the Florida legislative process.
Preparation
None
Notice
FICPA Webinars are presented virtually.
Our Webinars include a live presentation with speaker audio, video and PowerPoint presentation. Attendees can ask questions. The presenter(s) will repeat questions to share with all attendees and answer questions as time allows. Individuals can also reach out to the presenter directly via email after the event.
For more information feel free to call the FICPA Member Service Center at 800-342-3197.
Leader(s):
Leader Bios
Brayden Harrell, Legislative Affairs & Governance Manager, Florida Institute of CPAs
Brayden Harrell is the FICPA’s Legislative Affairs and Governance Manager supporting the Advocacy Team and acting as staff liaison to the FICPA Board of Directors, Council, and Committee on Nominations. He works to support the team by tracking legislation, developing political communications, and fostering relationships with members and staff of the legislature. He also assists in the management of the Florida CPA/PAC and FICPA Legislative Updates. Most recently he served as a Legislative Aide in the Florida House of Representatives and previously worked in other legislative roles including with a multinational law and lobby firm as well as a legislative research and tracking service, he has also worked on several political campaigns. He is a graduate of Florida State’s Masters of Applied American Politics and Policy program and was named one of Influence Magazine’s 30-under-30 list of rising stars in Florida politics.
Jason Harrell, Chief External Affairs Officer, Florida Institute of CPAs
Jason Harrell is the FICPA Chief External Affairs Officer responsible for leading all aspects of the Institute’s public policy, advocacy, governmental affairs and regulatory affairs. He serves as the liaison to the DBPR and Board of Accountancy and is responsible for all advocacy-related external communications and campaigns to increase the value of the CPA license. Jason brings numerous years of experience to this role, previously serving as director of government relations for Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers Association and budget and communications director for the Clerks of Court Operations Corporation, serving in key roles under two Speakers in the Florida House, and serving in the Executive Office of the Governor in the Office of Policy and Budget and Chief Inspector General’s Office.
Lauren Jones, Deputy Director of Governmental Affairs, Florida Institute of CPAs
Lauren Henderson is the FICPA’s Deputy Director of Governmental Affairs supporting the execution of its strategic advocacy goals. She works to promote and advance FICPA’s legislative priorities and strengthen its relationship with legislators and their staff. In addition to her work at the Capitol, she generates timely legislation and political communications aspects, supports the development of the CPA/PAC, and enhances the FICPA’s connections with key stakeholders and state agencies. Previously she was a Senior Legislative Director for the political consulting firm Cynergy Consulting, LLC, for more than 10 years, worked on political campaigns for high-profile candidates, and was named one of Florida Politics 30-under-30 list of rising stars.
Shelly Weir, President & CEO, Florida Institute of CPAs
Shelly Weir is President & Chief Executive Officer of the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA), the statewide professional association for Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in Florida. In this role, Weir serves as Secretary-Treasurer of the FICPA and FICPA Scholarship Foundation and works in partnership with the FICPA Council to develop and execute the Institute's strategic vision. Weir leads a staff of 40 professionals responsible for carrying out the missions of the FICPA and FICPA Scholarship Foundation.
Weir is actively engaged in legislative and advocacy efforts representing the CPA profession at the state and national level, serving as a Trustee for Florida TaxWatch. As a member of the Board of Trustees for the Florida Chamber Foundation, she advocates for the business and tax interests of CPAs. As President & CEO, Weir represents all Florida CPAs with the state's Board of Accountancy and the Department of Business & Professional Regulation. As a member of the CPA Society of Association Executives, she collaborates with other association leaders to address regulatory and legislative agendas affecting CPAs across the nation.
An association executive with nearly 20 years of experience, Shelly has the unique ability to foster excitement, commitment and vision in others to the benefit of the organization and its goals.
Weir began her tenure as President & CEO of FICPA in April 2021. Prior to joining FICPA, she spent 10 years with the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), where she was most recently the Senior Vice President of Career Development. In this role, she designed and executed programs that delivered career advancement opportunities and competency attainment for professionals in the hotel industry.
Throughout her time at AHLA, Weir represented the hotel industry on multiple task forces with the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor under Presidents Obama and Trump. She was appointed Co-Chair of the Presidential Task Force on Expanding Apprenticeship in the United States from 2017-2018. In 2020, her work was recognized by the White House with the Pledge to America's Worker Presidential Award for outstanding career development.
Weir earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida State University. She resides in Orlando with her husband and two sons and is an avid college sports fan.
Non-Member Price $100.00
Member Price $0.00