The 30th Annual Working Together Symposium 

Presented by: Washington Association of Accounting and Tax Professionals, Washington State Society of Enrolled Agents, Washington State Tax Consultants, and IRS

Date: November 01, 2024

Materials: Webinar digital link

Location: Webinar

Webinar description:

Join us for a 2-hour Ethics session led by Keith Ott and Bonnie Williams from the Office of Professional Responsibility. Get ahead with a WISP update from Cathye Mason, explore critical insights from John Blakeman and David Higgins on Federal Tax Updates, and learn about Criminal Investigations with Jerome Gregory to stay on top of those big “no-no” prep matters.

Plus, we’ll dive into Private Practice Tax Updates with Greg White and George Koutelieris to give you even more key takeaways for your practice. This jam-packed education day is your opportunity to learn directly from the pros and keep your knowledge up to date.

Spots are filling fast—register today to ensure your place at the 30th Annual Working Together Symposium!

The WTS Committee is excited to see you there for this can't-miss event!

Speakers: 

Greg White CPA - presenting a 2 Hour Tax Update

Greg White, CPA, has practiced tax for more than 40 years. He is founder, shareholder, and President of CPA firm WGN, P.S. in Seattle, Washington. Greg served as an Adjunct Professor at the Golden Gate University’s Seattle Campus over a 14-year period. He is licensed to practice in U.S. Tax Court and has argued cases before the Tax Court. He has been named a “Top 50” IRS Practitioner by CPA Magazine.

George Koutelieris CPA, MS-Tax - presenting a 2 Hour Tax Update

George J. Koutelieris, CPA, MS-Tax, has practiced tax accounting for more than 22 years. He is the managing shareholder of the CPA firm Johnson & Shute, P.S. in Bellevue, Washington. He specializes in all phases of tax work, such as planning and consulting on complex tax transactions including formations, liquidations, mergers and acquisitions, purchase and sales, and tax representation for closely held businesses and their owners. In addition, George is a frequent lecturer for organizations providing professional education to other tax CPAs on the west coast and has written and presented live courses and webinars for the last 8 years. Because of his understanding of tax law and ability to make it understandable, George is someone other CPAs turn to when they have difficult tax questions. 

John Blakeman

John is a Senior Tax Specialist with the IRS Stakeholder Liaison Division in Portland, Oregon, and works to provide education and outreach to the tax practitioner community as well as small businesses. John began his career with the IRS in 2003 as an Internal Revenue Agent, working a wide variety of individual, corporate, and partnership tax return cases. John also worked many abusive tax avoidance transaction, employment tax, National Research Program, and Earned Income Tax Credit Due Diligence cases. John joined the Stakeholder Liaison team in 2008, and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Portland State University.

Howard Choder

I have been in the Tax field for over 40 years. After college, my first job was with the IRS as a Revenue Officer. I worked in different capacities at the IRS for close to 15 years before I left and started my own Tax Practice as an Enrolled Agent. In my practice, my main focus was representing clients before the IRS. In addition, I then went to school to become a Certified Financial Planner.  My firm prepared tax returns, provided tax/financial planning and represented clients before the IRS in collection/examination issues.  I sold my practice last year to my key employees. I am now an independent Trustee/Fiduciary working with Estates and Trusts.

Christopher Mar

Special Agent Mar has been a special agent with the IRS for 15 years. In 2023, S/A Mar joined the Western Cyber Crimes Unit based out of the Los Angeles Field Office.

Jarom “Jay” Gregory

Jay began his IRS career as a Revenue Agent with the SBSE Division of IRS in June 2005. In February 2007, Jay graduated FLETC and began working as a Special Agent for the Dallas Field Office, Tulsa, OK POD. During his time in Tulsa, Jay worked various tax and non-tax financial investigations, and  OCDETF investigations. In August 2018, Jay joined the Seattle Field Office as a Supervisory Special Agent in Portland, OR. During his time as SSA, Jay’s group investigated tax and OCDETF investigations, and he was assigned to oversee the Fraud Referral Program for the Field Office. In May 2021, Jay was hired as a Storefront Supervisory Special Agent with Special Investigative Techniques. There, he supervised the full-time Storefront Cover Agents and then the Storefront Undercover Agents. In April 2024, Jay became an Assistant Special Agent in Charge in the Seattle Field Office, with operations oversight occurring in Oregon, Hawaii, Guam and CNMI.

Cathye Mason

Cathye joined the Portland team in the Stakeholder Liaison Division of the Internal Revenue Service in October 2019 and really enjoys the connections she has made with tax professionals and small business stakeholders. Prior to her recent move she spent over nine years as a Revenue Agent in the Small Business/Self Employed Division in the Salem, Oregon office where she developed extensive knowledge of business tax law and met many interesting taxpayers. She has held an active CPA license in Oregon since 2015 and she has taught CPE courses internally for the Small Business/Self Employed division, Western Area. Before joining the IRS, at various times, she managed a small medical practice, prepared tax returns as an Oregon Licensed Tax Consultant, provided bookkeeping and payroll services and worked in stock brokerage operations. She holds a BA in Geography from West Virginia University and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting from Southern Oregon University.

CPE Credit: 8 Hours (depending on attendees credentials)

This event is a joint effort with WAATP, WSSEA, WSTC, and IRS.

Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m

08:30 am - Welcome and Introduction of speakers

08:35 am - Internal Revenue Service - Office of Professional Responsibility - ( 2 Hours of Ethics ) : Keith Ott, Tax Attorney Advisor and Bonnie Williams, Legal Admin Specialist

10:15 am - Break #1

10:20 am - WISP - ( 2 Hours ) - Cathye Mason, Former OPR

12:10 pm - Taxpayer Advocacy Panel - Howard Choder

12:15 pm - Lunch

01:00 pm - Welcome back and Introduction of Afternoon speakers

01:05 pm - Federal Tax Updates - ( 1 Hour Update ) : John Blakeman and David Higgins Stakeholder Liasons

02:00 pm - Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation : Jerome Gregory 

02:05 pm - Break #2

02:55 pm - Private Practice - ( 2 Hour Update ) : Greg White, CPA and George Koutelieris, CPA, MS -Tax

04:40 pm - How to get CPE Announcements or darn close to it

 

 

Green Policy Reminder: All program materials will be provided electronically ahead of time. We will not provide hard copy materials. 

Cancellation Policy: There is a three business day cancellation policy. Registrations cancelled less than three business days prior to the event will be responsible for payment regardless of attendance. No refunds will be issued after the program materials have been sent out.