Speaker(s):  Karen G. Ashworth Barnes Lipscomb & Stewart PLLC, Liz Nielsen, Nielsen Law PLLC, Josh Gideon MS, CFP®, CBEC® Slaughter & Associates, and Leslie Acosta Bhattacharya, Arbor Creek Tax & Consulting

Overview: This panel brings together estate planning attorneys, financial advisors, and tax professionals to explore the most common pitfalls that occur after the documents are signed. From unfunded trusts, outdated beneficiary designations, asset valuations issues, lack of advisor coordination to family disputes. The panelist will share real-world examples and practical strategies to help clients keep their plans effective and their legacy protected.

Designed For: Estate planning professionals offering practical insights into common post-signing pitfalls and strategies to keep plans aligned, effective, and enduring.

Major Topics: Failure to Fund the Trust and Sub trusts & Re-titling Issues Mismatched Beneficiary Designations Valuation Oversight for gifting and estate tax Poor Executor/Trustee Selection Lack of Advisor Coordination and Conflicting Strategies Lack of Good Record Keeping

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the most frequent post-planning errors and their consequences.
• Learn best practices for keeping estate plans updated and aligned with client tax and other goals
• Understand the key roles of the attorney, the financial advisor, and tax professional to prevent post-mortem surprises.

Field of Study: Taxes – Technical

Level of Knowledge: Basic

Prerequisites: None

Advanced Preparation: None

Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live

CPE Credit: 1

Speaker: Austin Yin, President, The Global Council on Crypto Taxation (GCOCT)

Overview: Crypto isn’t the future anymore—it’s here. This session breaks down what every CPA needs to know about digital assets, from DeFi and staking to the latest IRS reporting rules. Learn how crypto is reshaping compliance, tax planning, and the profession itself.

Designed For: CPAs and financial professionals seeking a practical understanding of how digital assets are transforming tax compliance, planning, and the accounting landscape.

Major Topics:

• Overview of crypto and Web3 fundamentals
• How crypto income and gains are taxed
• Key IRS reporting updates
• Common mistakes and risk areas in crypto compliance
• Practical tips and tools for CPAs new to digital assets

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the basic concepts of cryptocurrency, blockchain, and digital assets.
• Identify how common crypto transactions are treated for tax purposes.
• Recognize current IRS guidance and reporting obligations related to digital assets.

Field of Study: Taxes – Technical

Level of Knowledge: All levels

Prerequisites: None

Advanced Preparation: None

Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live

CPE Credit: 1

Speaker: Christi Mondrik, CPA, Attorney, Mondrik & Associates

Overview: This session will cover Texas SALT cases, legislative updates, and recent rule changes affecting CPAs and their clients. We will also identify state and local tax issues to watch, both in Texas and multi-state.

Designed For: CPAs and tax professionals who want to stay current on Texas SALT developments, legislative changes, and emerging multi-state tax issues impacting their clients.

Major Topics: Texas sales tax, Texas franchise tax, multistate tax

Learning Objectives: Learn about Texas SALT cases Learn about legislative changes Learn about rule changes Identify state and local tax issues Identify multi-state tax issues

Field of Study: Taxes – Technical

Level of Knowledge: Intermediate

Prerequisites: None

Advanced Preparation: None

Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live

CPE Credit: 1

Speaker: Joel Crouch, Partner, Meadows Collier Reed Cousins Crouch & Ungerman LLP

Overview: This session will discuss recent tax decisions in Tax Court, District Court and even the US Supreme Court. Practitioners will learn how recent decisions could impact them and their clients.

Designed For: Tax practitioners who want to understand the impact of recent federal court decisions on their practice and their clients.

Major Topics:

• The 90 day deadline for filing a tax court petition.
• The assessment statute of limitations for a fraudulent tax return
• How dotting the i's and crossing the t's avoids problems with the IRS.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how court cases will impact tax practitioners
• Understand how recent court cases will impact clients.
• Understand how the courts are viewing civil fraud penalties and the defenses to same.

Field of Study: Taxes – Technical

Level of Knowledge: Intermediate

Prerequisites: None

Advanced Preparation: None

Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live

CPE Credit: 1

Speaker: Mark Sprague, State Director, Independence Title

Overview: An economic update of where the local real estate market is headed.

Designed For: CPAs and Tax Professionals who want to learn about local real estate economics.

Major Topics: Real Estate Economics

Learning Objectives: A better understanding of where the real estate and finance markets are currently.

Field of Study: Economics – Technical

Level of Knowledge: Basic

Prerequisites: None

Advanced Preparation: None

Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live

CPE Credit: 1

Speaker: Paul Sheith, Business Attorney & Founding Partner, Richards Rodriguez & Skeith LLP

Overview: The presentation gives CPAs key legal insights for advising clients on selling a business, covering transition planning, deal structures, legal risks, and dispute management. It emphasizes the CPA’s role as both financial advisor and trusted supporter, working closely with attorneys for a smooth sale.

Designed For: CPAs who advise clients on business sales and want to deepen their legal insight into deal structures, risk management, and collaborative planning for successful transitions.

Major Topics: Preparing for the sale. Understanding the process and legal risks. Asset versus equity sales. Understanding representations and warranties. Purchase price mechanisms, including cash, payments, earnouts, and target working capital. Role of CPAs in the sale process.

Learning Objectives: This course will equip CPAs with essential legal knowledge to effectively guide clients through the process of selling a business, including transition planning, deal structuring, and risk management. Participants will learn to identify and address legal and financial challenges, ensuring compliance and minimizing post-sale disputes. By the end of the course, CPAs will be prepared to collaborate with legal counsel and provide both advisory support to clients during business transitions.

Field of Study: Finance – Technical

Level of Knowledge: Intermediate

Prerequisites: None

Advanced Preparation: None

Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live

CPE Credit: 1

Speaker: Austin Carlson, Attorney/CPA/Equity Partner, Gray Reed

Overview: This presentation will go over the top U.S. international tax concepts every practitioner should know to avoid costly compliance and tax traps for their clients! The speaker will go over important concepts including income and estate tax residency, international information reporting issues, as well as top issues to consider for inbound companies and individuals, and outbound companies and individuals.

Designed For: CPAs and tax practitioners who want to strengthen their understanding of key U.S. international tax concepts and avoid costly compliance pitfalls for inbound and outbound clients.

Major Topics: Residency International Information Reporting Outbound Structures Inbound Structures Foreign Tax Credits and Foreign Earned Income Exclusion

Learning Objectives: Understand basic international tax concepts. Learn about residency rules. Learn about international information reporting obligations. Be aware of tips and traps for cross border companies and residency.

Field of Study: Taxes – Technical

Level of Knowledge: Basic

Prerequisites: None

Advanced Preparation: None

Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live

CPE Credit: 1

Speaker: Brad Wiewel, Texas Trust Law

Overview: This session will explore the differences in Will based and Revocable Living Trust based estate plans. It will address with issue of avoiding probate and new concerns regarding that. The tax ramifications of both revocable trust and irrevocable trusts will be addressed.

Designed For: CPAs and tax professionals seeking to understand the key differences between will-based and trust-based estate plans, including probate considerations and tax implications.

Major Topics: Wills and Revocable Living Trusts - How are they similar and how are they different? Why is Avoiding Probate of special concern now? What are the tax differences in irrevocable and irrevocable trusts?

Learning Objectives: The purpose of this session is to educate CPAs on the obvious and subtle distinctions between Wills and Revocable Living Trusts and highlight the difference in tax treatment between revocable and irrevocable trusts.

Field of Study: Taxes – Technical

Level of Knowledge: Intermediate

Prerequisites: None

Advanced Preparation: None

Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live

CPE Credit: 1

Speaker: Billy Petty, CFE, Consultant

Overview: The discovery of fraud is disruptive for clients, emotionally charged, and carries risks that extend beyond the accused. In this session, we will explore both the immediate and longer-term steps necessary to respond effectively, along with practical advice CPAs can offer to help clients mitigate those risks. Through real-world examples and lessons from actual investigations, attendees will gain the knowledge and confidence to guide clients through this challenging process.

Designed For: CPAs who want to confidently support clients through the discovery of fraud, offering practical guidance on risk mitigation and effective response strategies.

Major Topics: Responding to the discovery of fraud.

Learning Objectives: Distinguish which businesses are more likely to be victimized by a fraudulent act based on a single criteria. State five processes that are likely to be competing for information and may conflict with each other in their execution when a fraudulent act is discovered. State the burden of proof for the State in proving a criminal allegation. State the burden of proof for litigants in a civil law suit. Describe the difference between a criminal act and a non-criminal act that is still detrimental to the company.

Field of Study: Accounting – Technical

Level of Knowledge: Basic

Prerequisites: None

Advanced Preparation: None

Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live

CPE Credit: 1

Speaker: Dan G. Baucum, Shareholder/Chair, Tax, Trusts & Estates Practice Group, FBFK Law

Overview: This session will address key developments in partnership taxation, including the impact of OBBBA on choice of entity and the disguised sale rules, the practical implications of partnership “termination” under current law, and challenges of drafting and applying tax distribution provisions. Designed for tax advisors and practitioners navigating Subchapter K, this session offers insights into structuring and compliance in today’s evolving environment.

Designed For: CPAs and tax professionals seeking up-to-date guidance on partnership taxation, entity choice, and Subchapter K compliance in a shifting legal landscape.

Major Topics:

1. Entity Choice in 2025: Are Partnerships Still Preferred? Comparative analysis with corporations and LLCs Impact of recent tax law changes on entity selection
2. Disguised Sale Rules Post-OBBBA Overview of Section 707 disguised sale provisions Key changes introduced by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) Practical implications in practice
3. Do Partnerships Ever Terminate? Historical vs. current rules under Section 708 Practical scenarios where termination may or may not occur Planning considerations for mergers, divisions, and technical terminations
4. Tax Distribution Provisions: Common Pitfalls and Planning Tips Drafting considerations for complex partnership agreements

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to: Assess the continued viability of partnerships as the entity of choice in light of recent legislative and regulatory developments. Explain the key changes to the disguised sale rules under Section 707 following the OBBBA and how they affect common partnership transactions. Understand the current rules surrounding partnership termination and their practical implications for structuring and compliance. Recognize common challenges in drafting and applying tax distribution provisions, including those related to basis limitations and shifting income allocations. Apply recent IRS guidance and case law to evaluate and advise on partnership structuring and operational issues.

Field of Study: Taxes – Technical

Level of Knowledge: Advanced

Prerequisites: None

Advanced Preparation: None

Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live

CPE Credit: 1

Speaker: Kendra Germenis, Workplace Experience Consultant, Best of Workplaces

Overview: This session looks at client experience through a more human lens. Using the traditional client and employee lifecycles as reference points, it explores how shifting from transactional to relationship-focused experiences builds connection, trust, and loyalty. Participants will explore five phases of a relationship, framed through the relatable lens of love and tacos, and leave with practical ways to improve communication and create standout client experiences.

Designed For: CPAs and tax professionals who want to create more meaningful, relationship-driven client experiences by rethinking traditional service models through a fresh and human-centered lens.

Major Topics: This session looks at client experience through a more human lens. Using the traditional client and employee lifecycles as reference points, it explores how shifting from transactional to relationship-focused experiences builds connection, trust, and loyalty. Participants will explore five phases of a relationship, framed through the relatable lens of love and tacos, and leave with practical ways to improve communication and create standout client experiences.

Learning Objectives: 1) Define the stages of the client experience lifecycle. 2) Understand how human connection drives business success. 3) Identify key opportunities to improve client relationships. 4) Clarify where to start in strengthening your client experience strategy.

Field of Study: Personal Development – Non-Technical

Level of Knowledge: Basic

Prerequisites: None

Advanced Preparation: None

Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live

CPE Credit: 1

Speaker: Blaise Bender

Overview: The primary focus of the seminar will discuss HR 1, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which passed on July 3, 2025. The seminar will discuss in detail and provide examples of the provisions impacting individuals, estates and businesses. The session will discuss dates of implementation and planning opportunities in 2025 and 2026. The final bill expands Section 529 education savings accounts, creates adjustments to AGI regarding tips, overtime pay and car loan interest. The bill also provides additional tax relief the seniors by increasing the standard deduction, increasing the SALT Deduction. The Act increases the Child Tax Credit, creates new savings accounts for children, expands Section 199A, renews Bonus Depreciation at 100%, creates an immediate expensing of Research and Development occurring in the United States, adjusts Form 1099–K Threshold Reporting and increases Form 1099–MISC threshold. The bill also renews Opportunity Zone Programs and makes permanent the estate exclusion indexed to inflation.

Designed For: CPAs and tax professionals who want to understand the sweeping changes introduced by HR 1 and prepare clients for new planning opportunities across individual, estate, and business taxation.

Major Topics: HR 1 (One Big Beautiful Bill)

Learning Objectives: 1. Understand the provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that impacts both individual and business clients. 2. Awareness of provisions that remain uncertain in light of pending legislation 3. Awareness of tax planning opportunities the remainder of 2025 and 2026 under the Act

Field of Study: Taxes – Technical

Level of Knowledge: Intermediate

Prerequisites: None

Advanced Preparation: None

Instructional Delivery Method: Group Live

CPE Credit: 4