Drake Software® Update Schools return this year in 4 U.S. cities plus our hometown of Franklin, NC! Experts from Drake Software including Chief Revenue Officer John Sapp, CPA; Director of Education Christine Reynolds; Software Trainer Ann Campbell, CPA, CIA and many others; along with industry experts Randy Adams, EA and Director of the Stakeholder Liaison organization in the IRS Derek Ganter will be sharing important updates with Users about what to expect in the 2024 Tax Season plus exciting new software updates.   

Who’s going? 

Drake Software users and tax preparers from across the country will be flying or driving to Update Schools to network and socialize with their peers in the industry. Attendees will earn up to 8 hours of CPE credit while reviewing best practices and getting an overview of industry updates and how they affect software use. They will also learn all about the Drake Software updates our team has been tirelessly working on and have the opportunity to ask questions and receive expert opinions from our tax software specialists. Drake Software’s team will also be joined at the event by industry sponsors such as Rightworks, the National Association of Tax Professionals, Refund Advantage, Avantax, and EPS. 

Representatives from the Taxpayer Advocate service will be available at Baltimore, Dallas, Atlanta and Las Vegas locations to help attendees resolve disputes for their clients. 

What to Expect 

Bonus classroom training is the first event of the week. It takes place the day before each Update School and is an opportunity to ask questions and improve your understanding of tax preparation. There are two courses available for classroom training. Drake Essentials is our new user course centered around gaining practical knowledge, navigating software, preparing returns, and e-filing. Drake Expanded is a more advanced class to add to your tax preparation skills and explore how different forms, schedules, and tax situations should be handled in Drake Tax. In the evening after the classroom session, all attendees are invited to a reception hosted by our industry sponsors. 

The next day kicks off the Update School with a morning session presented by John Sapp. The subjects of this first session are important tax industry topics and how they will impact your tax practice this season, along with how tax law updates will change your Drake Tax® preparation. During the afternoon session, Drake Software and tax industry leaders will participate in a panel discussion. Topics of note are Drake Tax 2023 updates and enhancements, tips and best practices, and industry insights and information to use for your e-filing businesses.  

Our experts will discuss the latest changes and headlines in tax news and break down what this means for preparers and how to adapt business practices to maximize the outcome of these changes. Topics like 1099s, cryptocurrency, and EV tax credits are all important this year and will receive air time during our learning sessions. 

What’s the Big Deal? 

Update Schools are the perfect event for the Tax Pro who wants to achieve many goals at the same time:  

• Refreshing and gaining knowledge to improve your tax practice 
• Asking questions in-person to our most accomplished and experienced team members,  
• Networking and socializing with other Drake users, Drake partners and vendors, and the minds behind Drake Software 

Take advantage of this unique tax event! 

When is it? 

The Update Schools schedule begins 11/9 in Baltimore, and continues with events on 11/16 in Franklin, 11/29 in Dallas, 12/6 in Atlanta, 12/12 in Las Vegas, 12/20 in Franklin, and 01/05 in Franklin. All times are listed on the registration schedule. 

Registration 

To register for Drake Software’s premier User event of the year, click on our update school scheduling link here to select the location and sessions that work be for you! Our companion session and classroom training link can be found there, too.  

Drake Software has been planning, designing, and preparing all year for Update Schools! We are excited to host the event and are looking forward to seeing new and familiar faces and meeting up with our partners in the tax industry. We will see you all soon!