IFA Canada Tech & Tax Seminar 2.0

Organized by IFA Canada (in collaboration with TEI, HEC Montréal, and Gowling WLG)

Schedule:

Date: Friday, August 15, 2025

  • Breakfast and Registration: starting at 7:30 am
  • 1st Panel: 8:00 am to 9:30 am
  • Break: 9:30 am to 10:00 am
  • 2nd Panel: 10:00 am to 11:00 am
  • 3rd Panel: 11:00 am to 12:00 pm


Registration: Free

Format:

In-person only

DESCRIPTION

We are back this year with a new edition following last year’s successful seminar!

This year’s seminar explores strategies for managing big data, integrating artificial intelligence into tax workflows, and understanding how tax authorities are deploying AI. It also addresses the crucial role of effective people management in the adoption of new technologies and focuses on balancing innovation with effective people management in the age of AI.

The seminar is designed for in-house tax practitioners, tax lawyers and accountants in private practice, as well as tax professors and students.

Bringing together academics and practitioners, the goal of the seminar is to highlight the potential applications of evolving technological developments, such as automation tools, data analytics, and large language models, that are transforming the practice of tax. Additionally, the seminar aims to raise awareness among tax professionals about the growing impact of these innovations on the profession. This event presents a unique opportunity for students, academics, and professionals to engage in meaningful discussions on current and future applications of emerging technologies in tax. The seminar will offer practical demonstrations, outline ethical considerations, and provide guidance for responsible implementation.

LOCATION

HEC Montréal, Downtown Campus | Get Directions

Édifice Hélène Desmarais
501, rue de la Gauchetière Ouest
Montréal (Québec) H2Z 1Z5

A.335 Amphithéâtre Rachelle et Alain-Paris

AGENDA

1st Panel: Tax is Cool: Leveraging Big Data and AI in Tax

2nd Panel: It’s Not You, It’s Me: Changing People and Processes

3rd Panel: Technology and Compliance

Moderators

  • Laura Gheorghiu – Partner, Gowling WLG (Canada) LLP and Vice-President IFA Canada
  • Josephine L (Josie) Scalia – International President, Tax Executives Institute (TEI)

Speakers

  • Abdi Aidid– Professor at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law
  • Fabiola Annacondia, Senior Principal VAT, IBFD
  • Anarella Calderoni – International Tax Manager, Inter-American Center of Tax Administrations
  • Christine Cheng – Assistant Professor of Accountancy, University of Mississippi
  • Christina Dimitropoulou – Assistant Professor of International Tax, Maastricht University
  • Al Hounsell – National Director of AI, Innovation & Knowledge, Gowling WLG
  • Hersh Joshi – Managing Director, Corporate Affairs, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
  • Brigitte Muehlmann –Professor of Accounting, Babson College
  • Teodora Niculae – Director & Senior Legal Counsel, Mastercard
  • Joey van de Pasch – Senior Advisor AI, De Nederlandsche Bank / Lecturer and Master Coordinator, Maastricht University
  • George Salis – Chief Economist & Senior Tax Policy Director, Chief Tax Office, Vertex Inc.

REGISTRATION

Register below or directly on the google form here.