DESCRIPTION

CPAs by the Bay (formerly CPE by the Sea) offers diverse sessions tailored to help you stay on top of current business challenges. Expect sessions on tax, auditing, technology, professional development, and more.

Don't miss our four-hour state board-approved ethics session.

When: June 16-18, 2025

Where: League City, Tx | South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center
2500 South Shore Blvd., League City, TX 77573​ | Map

Hotel: Room rate is $144, room block expires May 27, 2025, or when room block is full. Reserve a room.

MONDAY, JUNE 16

Texas State Board Approved Ethics - This program is available as an individual standalone program and as a part of CPAs by the Bay.

1 – 5 p.m. - Ethics for CPAs – It’s a Matter of Choice
Speaker: Deanna Sullivan, CPA/Principal/SullivanSolutions

If we believe there are only two choices for being successful in business: 1) to win by doing whatever it takes, or 2) to lose by behaving ethically, we are faced with a true moral dilemma. While most individuals don’t set out to be dishonest or unethical, no one wants to lose, and it becomes easy to rationalize our choices and do what is most convenient. This session provides a look into the ethical philosophies we hold that guide our personal and professional lives and discusses the values upon which our choices are based. Ethical behavior is more than knowing what’s right and what’s wrong. It’s making the right choices for our profession and the organizations and customers we serve. The public looks to us to maintain a standard of ethics and integrity and the Texas State Board holds us accountable for protecting the CPA brand. Are we meeting these obligations?

Major Topics:

• Ethics and integrity defined and analyzed
• Personal, professional and organizational values

Learning Objectives:

• Explore the role values play in an individual’s and an organization’s ethical decision making
• Practice applying ethical judgment in making choices appropriate for the profession and the public
• Understand the Texas State Board’s Rules of Professional Conduct and the core values of our profession
• Determine improvement opportunities for protecting the brand

Skill Level: Intermediate

Field of Study: Regulatory Ethics (Technical)

TUESDAY, JUNE 17

8 – 8:50 a.m. -Financial Markets Update (General Session)
Speaker: Chris A. Matlock, CPA, CFA/Chief Investment Officer/Goodman Financial Corporation

This presentation will provide insight into recent financial market developments and prospects for what the future might hold. We will discuss the equity and fixed income markets, as well as cover current economic and monetary conditions.

Major Topics:

• Discuss the equity and fixed income markets, as well as current economic and monetary conditions

Learning Objectives:

• To gain an understanding of what is happening in the financial markets
• To gain an understanding of what is happening in the economy

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Finance (Technical)

9 – 11:50 a.m. - Federal Tax Update for Individuals (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Blaise C. Bender, JD, CPA

The session will provide a new year federal tax update on matters pertaining to individuals, estates and businesses.

Major Topics:

• Federal Tax Update – Part l will consist of updates regarding gross income, adjustments to gross income, rents and royalties, self-employment matters, new personal tax credits, and updates on estate tax returns, including implementation of claw backs on deceased spouse unused exemptions

Learning Objectives:

• Understand midyear updates that pertain to individuals, trusts and estates impacting tax preparation
• Understand midyear updates pertaining to sole proprietorship, C Corporations, S Corporations, partnerships and LLCs from a tax preparation perspective
• Understand how midyear tax updates impact our clients from a long-term and short-term planning perspective

Skill Level: Intermediate

Field of Study: Taxes (Technical)

9 – 10:50 a.m. - A&A Updates (Breakout Session)
Speakers: John Ly and Lauren Leung

11 – 11:50 a.m. - AI and Risk (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Ernesto Fonseca

12:20 – 1:10 p.m. - Lunch General Session – Session TBD
Speaker: TBD

1:20 – 2:10 p.m. - Texas Franchise Tax Developments (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Stephen Webster, CPA/State and Local Tax Senior Manager/Crowe LLP

This session will focus on the most recent legislative updates affecting Texas franchise tax and clarify how they impact taxpayers. We’ll also highlight potential refund opportunities generated by these changes, offering insights on how to assess these opportunities. Practical solutions will be offered that help organizations adapt to evolving tax laws and minimize potential risks.

Major Topics:

• Texas franchise tax legislative changes and opportunities

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about recent cases/legislative updates
• Practical solutions/applications to filing challenges
• Identify areas of opportunity for practitioners and taxpayers

Skill Level: Intermediate

Field of Study: Taxes (Technical)

1:20 – 2:10 p.m. - Navigating Critical Employment Laws (Old and New) that Impact Businesses in Texas (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Luke C. MacDowall/Attorney/Littler Mendelson PC

This workshop presentation will review employment law developments that all Texas employers need to be aware of in 2025. There will be an overview of foundational principles of the legal framework for employment relationships in Texas. We will also delve into the practical impact these laws have on business operations, wage and hour regulations, leave and accommodation issues, and much more. We will also explore the litigation process when employers become entangled in litigation under applicable laws to highlight the importance of being able to "issue spot" potential legal risks.

Major Topics:

• Recent, major changes to federal and state employment laws
• Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations
• Common traps in wage and hour or leave and accommodation issues
• Overview of employment litigation processes in Texas

Learning Objectives:

• Provide an update on major employment law developments that impact businesses in Texas
• Educate attendees to "issue spot" common employment issues in Texas
• Give attendees an understanding of the basics of employment litigation processes
  

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Personnel/Human Resources (Non-Technical)

2:20 – 3:10 p.m. - Social Security 2025: What’s Changed and Its Effects (Breakout Session)
Speaker: David Zander/Owner & Founder/Back Nine Financial, LLC

We've seen several changes recently, specifically the elimination of the WEP and the GPO. We’ll discuss how these changes will impact individuals and Social Security solvency. We'll also cover Social Security claiming going forward.

Major Topics:

• How the WEP and GPO affect schoolteachers, fire fighters and policemen
• How those changes will affect Social Security solvency
• Claiming strategies going forward

Learning Objectives:

• History of WEP and GPO
• What those changes mean
• Claiming strategies for those affected
• Claiming strategies for the rest of us

Skill Level: Intermediate

Field of Study: Finance (Technical)

2:20 – 3:10 p.m. - TBD (Breakout Session)

3:30 – 4:20 p.m. - Creating Value in Your CPA Practice (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Wade Holmes/Business Broker/Accounting Practice Sales

Have you thought about what you can implement now in your CPA practice so when it's time to exit, you're able to have the strongest amount of buyer interest and receive the greatest value? Join us as we explore some of the key factors driving a practice's value. We'll also look at what concerns buyers and sellers have during the purchase and sale process.

Major Topics:

• CPA practice valuations and concerns with the buying and selling process of a CPA practice

Learning Objectives:

• Determine which factors within a CPA practice help contribute to being more attractive to buyers in the future
• Identify the concerns of buyers and sellers as related to M&A of CPA practices
• Differentiate between the four main ways practices are typically sold

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Communications and Marketing (Non-Technical)

3:30 – 4:20 p.m. - Reviews, Compilations and Preparations (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Bob Armstrong

4:30 – 5:20 p.m. - Medicare (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Bryn Poland

4:30 – 5:20 p.m. - The Future of the Accounting Profession (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Jan Taylor, CPA, CGMA, Ph.D./Senior Director - Academic in Residence/AICPA & CIMA

This session will provide an update on the Uniform CPA Exam, providing data and insights from the 2024 version of the Exam. The session will also provide a review of the state of the CPA profession. Using a data driven approach, CPA pipeline efforts have been implemented and the current state of those initiatives will be addressed.

Major Topics:

• Uniform CPA Exam update
• CPA pipeline challenges
• CPA pipeline strategies and initiatives
  

Learning Objectives:

• Gain information about the impact of changes to the Uniform CPA Exam
• Become familiar with challenges to growing the CPA pipeline
• Learn about the initiatives being taken by AICPA and others to grow the CPA pipeline

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge (Non-Technical)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18

8 – 8:50 a.m. - Geopolitical Update (General Session)
Speaker: TBD

9 – 11:50 a.m. -Federal Tax Update for Businesses (Breakout Session)
Speaker:  Blaise C. Bender, JD, CPA

The session will provide a new year federal tax update on matters pertaining to individuals, estates and businesses.

Major Topics:

• Federal tax update – Part II will consist of updates regarding sole proprietorships, hobby loss matters, general business matters, constructed dividends, reasonable compensation, S Corp. basis determinations, partner recourse and nonrecourse debt, Schedule K reporting and the gig economy
  

Learning Objectives:

• Understand midyear updates that pertain to individuals, trusts and estates impacting tax preparation
• Understand midyear updates pertaining to sole proprietorship, C Corporations, S Corporations, partnerships and LLCs from a tax preparation perspective
• Understand how midyear tax updates impact our clients from a long-term and short-term planning perspective

Skill Level: Intermediate

Field of Study: Taxes (Technical)

9 – 10:50 a.m. - Financial Planning Roadmap (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Wade D. Egmon, CPA, CFP®/Senior Financial Advisor/Goodman Financial Corporation

In this session, we will explore strategies to increase the probability of being able to fully fund your goals and enjoy the retirement you envision. We will use a case study format with a baseline financial plan and begin to evaluate the impact of decisions in critical planning areas. We will also examine the impact of risks to the plan, such as market volatility, taxation, low Social Security payments, longevity, inflation, and health care expenses so that you can anticipate and plan for such risks.

Major Topics:

• Retirement planning
• Investment allocation and tax efficient asset allocation
• Insurance planning
• Education planning
• Social Security planning
  

Learning Objectives:

• Reinforce the importance of financial planning ​ ​
• Apply the financial planning process
• Introduce critical planning areas and the potential impact of pivotal decisions ​
• Identify possible risks and discuss how to plan for those risks

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Finance (Technical)

11 – 11:50 a.m. - Mastering Your Time: Mindfulness Strategies for Accountants (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Jessica Malone/Life Design Strategist/Nacho Average Fro

In this 50-minute session, participants will learn how to manage tasks mindfully, set boundaries to protect their time and make clear, confident decisions under pressure. We’ll explore strategies for prioritizing work without overwhelm, creating boundaries to maintain focus and work-life balance, and using mindfulness techniques to improve decision-making. By the end, participants will have practical tools to navigate their workload with greater clarity, efficiency and peace of mind.

Major Topics:

• Task management
• Boundaries
• Decision making
  

Learning Objectives:

• Apply mindful task management – Learn how to prioritize tasks effectively, stay focused on high-impact work, and reduce distractions to improve efficiency and accuracy
• Establish strong boundaries – Develop strategies to set and maintain boundaries with clients, colleagues and workload expectations to protect time and prevent burnout
• Enhance mindful decision-making – Utilize mindfulness techniques to make clearer, more intentional decisions under pressure, reducing stress and improving overall job performance
  

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Personal Development (Non-Technical)

12:20 – 1:10 p.m. - Fraud Happens! (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Chuck Cummings, CPA, CFE/Owner/Charles C. Cummings, Jr. Certified Public Accountant

Examine the size of fraud in America, reasons for the problem, principles to remember, and danger signs that should alert you to a fraud occurrence. Discover the number one deterrent to fraud. The session will also cover common and unusual ways embezzlement fraud is committed.

Major Topics:

• Fraud by embezzlement
  

Learning Objectives:

• Size and reasons for fraud in America
• Danger signs for fraud
• Principles to remember regarding fraud
• Learn the number one deterrent to fraud
  

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge (Technical)

1:20 – 2:10 p.m. - Topic Excel Automation (Breakout Session)
Speaker: TBD

1:20 – 2:10 p.m. - Personal and Corporate Branding (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Kevin Box/Fuel Your Growth

2:20 – 3:10 p.m. - Leadership Dynamics (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Dana Garnett, MADR, MSA, CPA/Conflict Resolution Strategist/The Mindful Strategy LLC

Risking ruffling feathers, differences between generations have been way over analyzed where it's created greater gaps, making understanding each other a lot harder than it should be. Trying to keep up with generational characteristics and “how to” and “how not to” interact to not have conflict can be exhausting. Fortunately, there's a much easier way to relate to each other no matter what year you were born.

Major Topics:

• Leadership interaction
• Power dynamics
• Leadership styles regardless of age
  

Learning Objectives:

• How to connect effectively with any team
• How to connect effectively with any of your leader peers
• Connecting solutions that bridge perceived gaps and capitalize on ageless strengths
  

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Personal Development (Non-Technical)

2:20 – 3:10 p.m. - QuickBooks (Breakout Session)
Speaker: TBD

3:30 – 4:20 p.m. - IT Project Management 101 for Accountants and Business Leaders (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Scott E. Johnson, CPA, PMP/SAP Project Delivery Executive

In today's world, the Information Technology department has become facilitators and servant leaders to the largest company projects that often call upon business leaders to sponsor or even run the projects. Many times, large IT projects are contracted out and the CPA and business leader must be savvier in negotiating and guiding the project budget, scope and timeline. The business should be intimately involved in the early stages of the project. This session attempts to arm the business side with a basic understanding of what goes on inside an IT project manager’s head and how to respond appropriately.

Major Topics:

• Insights into the primary causes behind ERP and IT project failures
• Best practices for establishing "project governance" for large projects
• Effective strategies to counter the project "triple threat"
• Techniques for recognizing and mitigating common risks
• Where AI can play a part in the future of project management
  

Learning Objectives:

• A basic understanding of project management terminology to be able to intelligently interact with IT internally and 3rd party integrators
• What needs to be included in the project governance model to control the project and track progress
• Identify the typical risks (threats) to the project timeline and how to plan for mitigation
  

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Information Technology (Technical)

3:30 – 4:20 p.m. - Quality Management Standards (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Robert (Bob) Armstrong

4:30 – 5:20 p.m. - AI and Audit (Closing General Session)
Speakers: Edwin Harvey, Ph.D./Director/Your Part-Time Controller, LLC and Patricia Bueso/Manager/Your Part-Time Controller, LLC

What does it mean to give agency to generative AI algorithms, and what makes them capable of accepting and wielding said agency? How close are we to implementing agentic AI for auditing and financial management, what leaps have yet to be made, and what baby steps are already behind us? This session will answer these pressing questions by way of concepts and case studies. We’ll also consider how to employ early AI agents responsibly and prepare our teams for an increasingly “agentic” future.

Major Topics:

• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Automation
• Responsible AI
  

Learning Objectives:

• Define “agency” in the context of generative AI technology
• Distinguish between generative AI and traditional automation, and explore forms of synergy between them
• Review principles of “responsible AI” in the context of embracing “agentic AI”
  

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Information Technology (Technical)

REGISTRATION

Conference + Ethics:
REGISTER NOW

Conference only:
REGISTER NOW

Ethics only:
REGISTER NOW

Speakers

Tell us more about you and your topic(s) and we’ll share your proposal with our learning team and program planning volunteers. Be a speaker

Staff Liaison
April Twaddle