2027 Tax Leadership Academy Agenda

What Should You Expect?

TEI’s Tax Leadership Academy is designed for emerging tax leaders ready to strengthen their leadership skills, expand their influence, and build lasting connections with peers and senior executives from across the profession. The eight-month program runs from February through October and requires approximately 40 hours, including sessions, pre-work, and assignments. The blended format includes two in-person sessions at TEI’s Midyear and Annual Conferences (approximately eight hours each) and five virtual sessions (approximately three hours each), offering flexibility while balancing interactive learning with practical application.

 

Learning Formats 

Strategic stakeholder engagement workshops | Leadership challenges and simulations | Expert panels and guest speakers | Interactive group discussions

2027 AGENDA:

 

Virtual Kickoff Session | Wednesday, February 17, 2027 | 6:00–7:00 pm ET 

Welcome! In this kickoff session, you’ll get a clear picture of what to expect from the seven-session blended program - including two in-person sessions and five virtual sessions. You’ll meet the instructors and your fellow participants, explore the topics we’ll cover, review the schedule and format, and understand the time commitment, expected outcomes, and the impact this Academy will have on your career trajectory. 

 

Module 1: Cornerstones of Tax Leadership | Saturday, March 20, 2027 | Approx. 9:00 am–7:00 pm ET | In person at Midyear Conference 

Understand the cornerstones of tax leadership, focusing on strategic thinking and emotional intelligence, to lead and manage effective tax functions. 

 

Module 2: Adaptability in Communications | Wednesday, April 7, 2027 | 6:00–9:00 pm ET 

Master the art of communication to clearly convey complex tax issues to diverse stakeholders, ensuring clarity and compliance. 

 

Module 3: Leading Through Change | Wednesday, May 12, 2027 | 6:00–9:00 pm ET 

Equip yourself with the skills necessary to lead your team through regulatory changes and organizational restructuring. 

 

Module 4: Building and Sustaining High-Performing Tax Teams | Wednesday, June 23, 2027 | 6:00–9:00 pm ET 

Learn practical strategies for creating and sustaining high-performing tax teams, including key leadership skills, team dynamics, effective communication, and real-world approaches to building collaboration, accountability, and long-term success. 

 

Module 5: Negotiation and Influence | Wednesday, July 28, 2027 | 6:00–9:00 pm ET 

Learn to navigate and negotiate complex discussions with stakeholders while maintaining compliance and business ethics. 

 

Module 6: Optimizing Partnerships with External Service Providers | Wednesday, August 25, 2027 | 6:00–9:00 pm ET 

Apply practical, day-to-day strategies for building effective, value-driven partnerships with external advisors. You’ll explore how to clearly define needs, manage expectations, improve communication, and leverage outside expertise to strengthen your tax function and deliver better outcomes. 

 

Prep Session for Capstone Business Case | Wednesday, September 22, 2027 | 6:00–7:00 pm ET 

We will introduce the final Capstone Business Case exercise by reviewing the key learnings from the Academy to date and clarifying expectations for the real-world tax challenge you’ll address at the Capstone exercise. 

 

Capstone Business Case | Saturday, October 23, 2027 | Approx. 9:00 am–7:00 pm local time | In person at Annual Conference 

Drawing on all of the skills you have learned throughout the Academy, you will have an opportunity to demonstrate your new leadership skills as you tackle a real-world tax challenge and present a business case to a panel of in-house professionals.