July 01, 2024

Take Note

TXCPA Connects With 2,800+ Students During Accounting Opportunities Month and Nearly 12,000 Students in 2023-2024

During April’s Accounting Opportunities Month, we surpassed our goal of reaching 1,500 students! We thank the 101 members who volunteered for 31 career engagements – which included presentations, career fairs, panels and student facing events – and reached 2,866 students of all ages! These visits helped us get closer to our goal of reaching 12,000 students in 2023-2024.

Volunteers are needed for classroom visits year-round. If you're interested in sharing your career journey with aspiring CPAs, please click here to submit an online volunteer interest form.


Don’t Miss Listing Your Organization in TXCPA’s New Employer Guide!

TXCPA’s Employer Guide is a valuable recruitment tool to help you attract quality, top-tier employees for your organization. You can stand out from the crowd by sharing your organization’s benefits and accolades with future CPAs throughout Texas.

The deadline to purchase an Employer Guide listing for the 2024-2025 guide is July 31, 2024. Click here to learn more and purchase your listing.


Unlock Top Talent and Career Opportunities with TXCPA’s Career Center!

Need to hire talent or find a new job opportunity? Check out TXCPA’s Career Center! With a focus on accounting and finance job openings, it’s the perfect resource for employers and job seekers alike. Members enjoy deep discounts on job postings and internships are always free!

Job seekers can browse postings, apply online and post a Job Seeker Profile for free. Simply log in with your TXCPA credentials to get started.

For the best in hiring and career opportunities, visit TXCPA’s Career Center today!


Find Your Zen: Top Meditation Apps to Stay Centered

Meditation is a great way to refocus and center yourself, but when life is hectic and distracting, it can be difficult to master. Here are a few apps that can help make meditation easier and more intuitive:

Calm – www.calm.com

Headspace – www.headspace.com

Ten Percent Happier – www.tenpercent.com

BetterSleep – www.bettersleep.com

Mindful – www.mindful.org

If you’re struggling with addiction, substance abuse or mental health issues, TXCPA Peer Assistance is here to help. Join a weekly support group, send a confidential message and find more resources at tx.cpa/resources/acan.


TXCPA is Now Accepting 2025-2026 Leadership Nominations

The nominations process for TXCPA’s 2025-26 leadership is now open! Your input for key leadership positions is vital to our organization’s success and future. We are currently accepting nominations for the following roles: Chair-elect; Treasurer-elect; Secretary; Board of Directors; Leadership Council Members-at-Large; Nominations and Board Development Committee Members-at-Large; Nominations Council Members-at-Large; and AICPA Council.

The deadline for nominations is September 2. For complete details on the TXCPA leadership nominations process, including links to submit a nomination and an overview of the process, please visit our website.


TXCPA Recognizes 2023-2024 Award Recipients

TXCPA congratulates our 2023-2024 award recipients. The members include:

Meritorious Service to the Accounting Profession: Kathy Kapka, CPA, CGMA - East Texas

Distinguished Public Service: John Baines, CPA - Dallas

Distinguished Fellow: Bill Moss, CPA - Dallas

Distinguished Fellow: Bill Sims, CPA - Dallas

Young CPA of the Year: Dahlia Garcia, CPA - El Paso

Honorary Member: Meg Campbell - Dallas

Outstanding Committee Chair: David Colmenero, J.D., LL.M., CPA - Dallas

B&I Award: Tom Seale, CPA - East Texas

Rising Stars: Lauren Albrecht, CPA - Corpus Christi; Candy Arroyo, CPA - Permian Basin; Katie Brown, CPA, CFF - Fort Worth; Jennifer Cadena, CPA - San Antonio; Andres Chavez, CPA - Abilene; Monica Corey, CPA - Permian Basin; Austin Fleet, CPA - East Texas; Evan Green, CPA - Permian Basin; D’Andra Isabel, CPA - Houston; Ashlei Lewis, CPA - San Angelo; Luis Lopez, CPA, CFE - Rio Grande Valley; Kyle Noack, CPA, CFP - Victoria; Jordan Payne, CPA - Houston; Andrew Peterson, CPA - Dallas; Alan Pruitt, CPA - Houston; Elsa Selleck, CPA - East Texas; Paige Smith, CPA - San Angelo; Jaimie Yang, CPA, CIA, CISA - Dallas

 

Thanks to the Sponsors of Today's CPA Magazine

This content was made possible by the sponsors of this issue of Today's CPA Magazine:

 
Accounting Biz Brokers Accounting Practice Sales CPA Charge Goodman Financial PAS.Professional Accounting Sales Poe Group Advisors

 

 

  • Meet TXCPA’s 2025-2026 Chair Billy Kelley

    Billy Kelley, CPA and managing partner at Dutton, Harris & Co, is the 2025-2026 Chair of TXCPA. With a background in public accounting, industry and entrepreneurship, he is passionate about leadership, mentorship and strengthening the CPA pipeline.
    View Article
  • CPE: What to Know About Profits Interest

    Profits interest is a form of partnership ownership that offers recipients a share of future profits without a capital contribution. While offering strategic advantages, profits-interest contracts involve complex tax and accounting considerations and remain subject to potential regulatory changes.
    View Article
  • What’s Happening Around Texas - July-August 2025

    Members in Austin held a happy hour to wrap up tax season and Houston members volunteered at the Botanic Gardens. Permian Basin members teamed up with UTPB students for a city cleanup. Southeast Texas gathered for a Spring Meeting and Victoria enjoyed a festive Member Appreciation Event.
    View Article
  • 2025-2026 TXCPA Chapter Officers

    Introducing TXCPA’s 2025-2026 chapter leaders – a dynamic group of professionals ready to elevate the accounting profession. With passion, purpose and a bold vision, they’ll guide our chapters forward and help shape the future of TXCPA across the state.
    View Article
  • Optimizing Auditor Precision: Addressing Biases in Large Language Model Technologies

    Large Language Models (LLMs) are transforming accounting and auditing by improving efficiency, uncovering financial trends and analyzing unstructured data, but using them also introduces risks, especially biases from training data and algorithms. Professionals are encouraged to stay educated on AI trends to use LLMs effectively.
    View Article
  • Meet the Chair

    In his first message as TXCPA Chair, Billy Kelley discusses his passion for TXCPA and goals for the year. He also reflects on the recent Annual Meeting in Galveston and encourages member engagement.
    View Article
  • TXCPA’s Successes and Key Issues from the 89th Texas Legislative Session

    TXCPA had a highly successful 89th Legislative Session, securing two major wins. Senate Bill 262 creates an additional pathway to CPA licensure and Senate Bill 522 modernizes CPA practice mobility. These achievements strengthen the CPA pipeline and protect the public.
    View Article
  • How ESG Can Create Value for Your Business

    The SEC has introduced climate-related disclosure rules to improve transparency for investors, sparking both support and criticism. This article highlights how businesses can view Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) not just as a compliance issue but as a value-creating strategy.
    View Article
  • Increasing Your Marketing Prowess: How CPAs Can Market with Confidence

    This article discusses common misconceptions that CPAs have about marketing and how even the most successful innovators have marketed their ideas effectively. It offers practical tips for CPAs to market themselves authentically by focusing on excellent client service, continuously improving their skills and committing to execution.
    View Article
  • Take Note

    In this edition of Take Note: Accounting Opportunities Month; TXCPA Leadership Nominations; Accountants Confidential Assistance Network (ACAN); CGMA® Designation for Management Accountants; TXCPA’s 2025 CPE Programs; Accounting Excellence Awards Presented
    View Article
  • Classifieds

    The classified ad section features listings for practice sales, firm buyers and specialized services. Whether you're expanding, selling or exploring niche opportunities, these ads connect you to valuable prospects and resources.
    View Article

CHAIR
Mohan Kuruvilla, Ph.D., CPA

PRESIDENT/CEO
Jodi Ann Ray, CAE, CCE, IOM

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Melinda Bentley, CAE

EDITORIAL BOARD CHAIR
Jennifer Johnson, CPA

MANAGER, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Peggy Foley
pfoley@tx.cpa

MANAGING EDITOR
DeLynn Deakins
ddeakins@tx.cpa

COLUMN EDITOR
Don Carpenter, MSAcc/CPA

DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST
Wayne Hardin, CDMP, PCM®

CLASSIFIEDS
DeLynn Deakins

Texas Society of CPAs
14131 Midway Rd., Suite 850
Addison, TX 75001
972-687-8550
ddeakins@tx.cpa

 

Editorial Board
Derrick Bonyuet-Lee, CPA-Austin;
Aaron Borden, CPA-Dallas;
Don Carpenter, CPA-Central Texas;
Rhonda Fronk, CPA-Houston;
Aaron Harris, CPA-Dallas;
Baria Jaroudi, CPA-Houston;
Elle Kathryn Johnson, CPA-Houston;
Jennifer Johnson, CPA-Dallas;
Lucas LaChance, CPA-Dallas, CIA;
Nicholas Larson, CPA-Fort Worth;
Anne-Marie Lelkes, CPA-Corpus Christi;
Bryan Morgan, Jr, CPA-Austin;
Stephanie Morgan, CPA-East Texas;
Kamala Raghavan, CPA-Houston;
Amber Louise Rourke, CPA-Brazos Valley;
Shilpa Boggram Sathyamurthy, CPA-Houston, CA
Nikki Lee Shoemaker, CPA-East Texas, CGMA;
Natasha Winn, CPA-Houston.

CONTRIBUTORS
Melinda Bentley; Kenneth Besserman; Kristie Estrada; Holly McCauley; Craig Nauta; Kari Owen; John Ross; Lani Shepherd; April Twaddle; Patty Wyatt