NEW DATES ANNOUNCED!!
Accelerate is a four-week professional development and networking program designed for high-performing professionals who are ready to take on greater responsibility and contribute more strategically to their firm or organization.
For employers, Accelerate is an opportunity to invest in emerging talent, strengthen business development skills and give high-potential employees an experience they can bring back to the organization.
Participants will build greater self-awareness, communication and leadership skills while exploring how their individual strengths can contribute to stronger teams, client relationships and organizational performance.
Why Send an Employee to Accelerate?
Your emerging leaders are already making an impact. Accelerate helps prepare them for what comes next.
Firms and organizations benefit when participants:
• Develop stronger communication and relationship-building skills
• Gain greater awareness of how personality and work styles affect team performance
• Strengthen their skills that support client relationships and business development
• Learn to navigate changing workplace dynamics and leadership challenges
• Gain perspective from experienced leaders in the accounting and business community
• Return to the workplace with practical ideas and insights they can apply immediately
• Earn 13 hours of CPE as part of their professional development
Accelerate can also serve as a meaningful professional development and retention incentive for high-performing employees.
Who Should Attend?
Accelerate is designed for up-and-coming, high-performing professionals who have demonstrated leadership potential and are ready to expand their impact within their organization.
Eligible participants include TXCPA Houston members and non-CPA accounting, finance and legal professionals working at the senior, manager or equivalent level with a minimum of two years of experience.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Cost: TXCPA Members - $650 Nonmembers - $875
CPE: 13 hours
Class Size: Limited to 20 participants
Format: Four Thursday morning sessions, including networking opportunities, leadership discussion and a culminating lunch roundtable.
An Investment in Your Next Generation of Leaders
Accelerate gives firms and organizations a practical way to recognize and invest in employees who have
demonstrated potential.
Send someone who is ready for the next step. Bring back someone better equipped to contribute to the
business.
Program Alumni Benefits
Graduates receive ongoing opportunities to stay connected through:
• Alumni networking and professional development events
• Leadership and volunteer opportunities
• Mentorship and peer connections
• Specialized workshops and resources
• Recognition as an Accelerate program alumnus/a
Interested in Sending Someone from Your Firm?
Applications are encouraged for professionals who demonstrate strong performance, leadership potential and an
interest in growing their contribution to their organization.
Application deadline: October 13, 2026
For more information:
Carol Spencer
Membership Manager, TXCPA Houston
cspencer@txcpahouston.cpa | 832.831.9232
2026 Fall Schedule
Thursday, October 22
8:30–11:15 a.m. | Session 1
Personality & Self-Awareness
Donny Shimamoto | Zoom
Participants review their Birkman assessment and gain insight into their individual work styles, motivations and
behaviors.
Business benefit: Greater self-awareness helps emerging leaders communicate more effectively, work more
productively with others and better understand how they show up with colleagues and clients.
Wednesday, October 28
8:30–11:30 a.m. | Session 2
Teamwork Skills
Mike Goodfriend | TXCPA Houston
Explore the relationship between personality, communication and team performance.
Business benefit: Stronger teamwork leads to better collaboration, more effective delegation and improved
performance across the organization.
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Leadership Panel & Lunch
Hear from experienced Houston CPA Society leaders about their professional journeys, leadership experiences and
lessons learned.
Panelists: Mark Lee, Carol Warley and Adam Dimmick
Thursday, November 5
8:30–11:30 a.m. | Session 3
Interpersonal Communications
Pauline Le | TXCPA Houston
Develop practical strategies for communicating effectively with different personalities, work styles and audiences.
Business benefit: Effective communication strengthens client relationships, improves internal collaboration and
helps professionals build the trust needed for business development.
Thursday, November 12
8:30–11:30 a.m. | Session 4
Leadership Changes & AI
David Cook | TXCPA Houston
Explore leadership in a changing business environment, including the impact of AI and evolving workplace
expectations.
Business benefit: Equip emerging leaders to adapt, identify opportunities and help their organizations respond to
change.
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Lunch Roundtable
A final opportunity to connect with fellow participants and share key takeaways, ideas and recommendations for
future programs.
Program Graduate Feedback
Content was very
relevant; speakers were awesome; helped to expand my knowledge in areas
other than accounting; small group format was perfect; this is a great
program; I enjoyed the group discuss at the end of each session; the
presentations provide leadership knowledge or reinforcement of
previously learned concepts; I believe this is a worthwhile endeavor the
Society has taken on and I am looking forward to seeing it grow and
being a part of it; very insightful – thank you!
Program Alumni Benefits
• Exclusive invitations to alumni-only networking and professional development events
• Priority access to leadership roles and volunteer opportunities within TXCPA Houston and local nonprofits
• Ongoing mentorship and peer support from a community of emerging leaders
• Access to specialized workshops and resources designed to advance leadership and career growth
• Recognition as a program alumnus/a, enhancing your professional credibility and visibility