Convergence 2026 Sessions

Convergence 2026 Sessions

• A TIME TO BE PROACTIVE NOT REACTIVE - SOCIAL SECURITY DECISIONS

  Speaker: David P. Zander

  Description: Texas CPAs are entering a critical planning window as Social Security funding pressures, frozen taxation thresholds, increased longevity, and longer client work lives shift key decisions earlier. This session focuses on proactive claiming strategies, Roth and RMD coordination, survivor protection, and legislative positioning, equipping CPAs to guide clients toward stronger long-term family outcomes—not just this year’s tax return.

  Learning Objectives: The importance of being proactive as it relates to Social Security claiming decisions. 

  Major Topics:

  • Social Security Solvency
  • Maximizing take home income
  • integrating Social Security into overall retirement income strategy 

   

• ACCOUNTING & AUDIT UPDATE

  Speakers: Brad Leffler and Nuwandi Trahan

  Description: This session provides an overview of key accounting guidance updates and their practical implications for financial reporting in 2025. Participants will learn how to interpret and apply these changes to enhance compliance, reduce reporting errors, and support more informed financial and operational decision-making.

  Learning Objectives: By the end of this course, you should be able to: Identify key accounting guidance, analyze its practical implications, and apply relevant changes to financial reporting processes in order to maintain compliance, reduce errors, and support informed decision-making.

  Major Topics:

  • SAS No. 145
  • SAS No. 147
  • SAS No. 148
  • SAS No. 149
  • Statements of Quality Management Standards (SQMS) What’s next?
• AI IN ACCOUNTING: OPPORTUNITIES & RISKS

  Speaker: Seth Hopkins

  Description: Artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving from content-generation tools to systems capable of executing multi-step workflows with limited human input. For accounting professionals, this shift offers opportunities to reduce administrative workload, strengthen financial operations, and expand advisory capacity—while raising important considerations around data privacy, governance, and professional judgment. This session explores practical applications of Generative and Agentic AI across accounting workflows and outlines how firms can implement these technologies responsibly, ensuring appropriate human oversight while protecting compliance, ethics, and client trust.

  Learning Objectives: 

  • Differentiate between Generative AI tools that create content and Agentic AI systems that act across workflows
  • Identify accounting and finance use cases where AI can reduce manual effort and increase consistency
  • Recognize key risks related to data exposure, bias, and over‑automation in accounting environments
  • Apply human‑in‑the‑loop concepts to high‑judgment and high‑risk accounting activities 5. Outline practical governance guardrails for introducing AI into firm or finance operations

  Major Topics:

  • The AI Shift: From Content to Action
  • Practical Generative AI Use Cases in Accounting
  • Emerging Agentic AI Use Cases
  • Risks That Matter to Accounting Professionals
  • Governance and Oversight in an AI‑Enabled Environment
  • Responsible Adoption Roadmap

  
  
• ANATOMY OF AN INSPIRATIONAL LEADER

  Speaker: Jesse Ihde

  Description: What makes a leader truly inspirational—beyond charisma or title? This interactive presentation explores the deeper anatomy of leadership: the internal architecture that enables individuals to lead with clarity and courage while staying grounded in who they are. Drawing on leadership coaching, neuroscience, and transformational psychology, the session examines the connection between inner alignment and outer impact. Participants will challenge the myth of the “heroic leader” and discover a more authentic, sustainable model of influence rooted in purpose, presence, and belonging.

  Learning Objectives:

  • Defining inspiration -Tools for understanding the leader's inner architecture
  • Identifying "watchouts" for Brain Styles and leadership patterns
  • How to stay in your integrity in the chaos of the modern corporate pace of change
  • How to step into your powerful, authentic leadership

  Major Topics:

  • Leadership
  • Inspiration
  • Organizational Change
  • Professional Development

   

• BEAT IT: NAVIGATING THE SECTION 174 EXPENSING SONG AND DANCE

  Speaker: Philip Overly

  Description: This session reviews the legislative evolution of research and development expensing, from pre-TCJA immediate expensing through the TCJA’s mandatory amortization rules, to the recent “One Big Beautiful Bill” creating Section 174A and restoring elective expensing options for certain taxpayers. Participants will learn a structured approach to evaluate available expensing methods, understand federal–state conformity and decoupling risks, and model cash-tax and compliance impacts for 2022–2026 and beyond.

  Learning Objectives: 

  • Provide attendees with a technical foundation for understanding the interaction between IRC §41 (R&D tax credit) and IRC §174/§174A (R&E capitalization, amortization, and expensing), including the legislative history from pre-TCJA rules through TCJA and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
  • Equip participants to evaluate and compare available federal expensing pathways (mandatory amortization, elective immediate expensing, and retroactive catch-up methods), and to assess related compliance requirements, method-change implications, and cash-tax impacts.
  • Enable practitioners to identify and manage state conformity and decoupling issues, and to model the downstream effects on multistate taxpayers, credit utilization, and financial statement and audit-defense considerations.

  Major Topics:

  • Overview of the federal R&D tax credit under IRC §41 and its technical and computational framework. Historical treatment of research and experimental expenditures under IRC §174, including pre-TCJA immediate expensing and the shift to mandatory capitalization and amortization under the TCJA.
  • Legislative developments under the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act, including the creation of new IRC §174A and the restoration of elective expensing pathways for eligible taxpayers.
  • Comparison of available federal treatment options: continued amortization, elective immediate expensing, and retroactive catch-up methods, including method-change mechanics and Section 481(a) considerations.
  • Interaction of §174/§174A with §41, §59(e), and other credit and capitalization regimes, including downstream effects on credit base calculations and taxable income.
  • Federal compliance and procedural considerations, including original vs. amended returns, accounting method changes, audit exposure, and documentation standards.
  • State conformity and decoupling issues, including fixed-date vs. rolling conformity states and the impact on multistate taxpayers.
  • Cash-tax modeling, financial statement impacts, and audit-defense implications for 2022–2026 and forward years.

• CONTRACT DAMAGES AND BEYOND: MEASURING FINANCIAL EXPOSURE

  Speaker: Cody J. Lewis

  Description: This session explores how contractual damages provisions and legal doctrines beyond the four corners of a contract can influence damage awards. Participants will examine how contract terms, statutory frameworks, and common-law principles can expand, limit, or otherwise shape a party’s potential recovery in litigation, providing practical insight for managing risk and enforcing agreements.

  Learning Objectives: Attendees will gain a practical understanding of how contractual damages provisions, statutory remedies and common-law doctrines interact to shape damage awards in litigation. Attendees will learn to identify when recovery may be expanded, limited or recharacterized beyond the contract itself and will develop strategic considerations for advising clients concerning exposure and maximizing or defending against damage claims.

  Major Topics:

  • Key contractual damages provisions
  • Common-law damages principles
  • Statutory damages
  • Interaction of contractual, common-law and statutory damages
• DEBUNKING SOCIAL MEDIA TAX SCHEMES

  Speaker: Jasmine DiLucci

  Description: Social media is full of viral tax “hacks” that are often misleading or incorrect. This session breaks down popular tax schemes circulating online and clarifies what the law really says, equipping participants with the knowledge and confidence to protect their clients and navigate these conversations accurately and effectively.

  Learning Objectives: Identify common tax schemes and misleading advice circulating on social media Evaluate whether a viral tax strategy is legal and compliant under current tax law Explain why certain online tax “hacks” fail under IRS rules and scrutiny Communicate tax corrections to clients clearly and professionally without damaging the client relationship Protect clients and the firm by applying audit-defensible, law-based guidance in client engagements.

  Major Topics:

  • Overview of social media–driven tax misinformation and the factors behind its rise
  • Trending tax schemes, “hacks,” and viral advice circulating online
  • How to evaluate whether a tax strategy is legal, compliant, or high-risk
  • Commonly overlooked IRS rules, guidance, and enforcement issues
  • Red flags that indicate a tax scheme is likely noncompliant
  • Strategies for addressing misinformation in client conversations without causing conflict
  • Best practices for protecting clients and your firm from audit or penalty exposure

• ECONOMIC OUTLOOK - TEXAS AND BEYOND

  Speaker: Steve Orr

  Description: With the first quarter of 2026 behind us, this session examines what lies ahead for the economy and financial markets. Participants will gain insights into key economic trends, market dynamics, and regional developments, helping them anticipate opportunities and challenges for the remainder of the year.

  Learning Objectives: Attendees will leave with talking points and action items for clients.

  Major topics:

  • US and Texas economy and their outlooks.
  • Markets and their possible paths over the rest of the year.

   

• EMPLOYMENT TAX AND FRINGE BENEFIT CHALLENGES IN 2026

  Speaker: Mike Chittenden

  Description: Continuing implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, along with ongoing IRS enforcement, is expected to create challenges for tax and payroll teams in 2026. This interactive session examines recent IRS audit focus areas and explores how employers are addressing new deductions for tip income and overtime, offering practical insights for compliance and risk management.

  Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the latest developments on the no tax on tips deduction including payroll implementation
  • Understand the latest developments on the no tax on overtime deduction including payroll implementation
  • Learn the latest development in fringe benefit audits by the IRS
    

  Major Topics:

  • No Tax on Tips
  • No Tax on Overtime
  • Fringe Benefits
• EVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN THE LONE STAR STATE: 2026 TEXAS TAX OVERVIEW OF SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS

  Speaker: David Colmenero

  Description: The 2026 tax year is off to a fast start in Texas, with several developments that could create meaningful opportunities and challenges for taxpayers. This session offers a comprehensive overview of recent legislative changes, regulatory updates, and pending cases, providing CPAs with the insights needed to assess potential impacts and guide clients or businesses effectively.

  Learning Objectives: Although we are still in the early part of 2026, already we have seen significant administrative and judicial developments. These come in the form of administrative policy changes and developments as well as recent court decisions and pending cases. This is an important presentation for tax practitioners with clients that are subject to Texas franchise and/or sales tax.

  Major Topics:

  • Texas franchise tax administrative and judicial developments
  • Texas sales and use tax administrative and judicial developments

   

• FRACTIONAL CFO PANEL

  Speakers: Claudia Reed (moderator), Gayle Anderson, Roger Burns, May Lee Harris and Jens Mielke

  Description: This panel is designed for practicing CPAs interested in transitioning into fractional CFO roles. Participants will learn how to leverage their credentials to expand beyond traditional compliance work, diversify income streams, and build a more autonomous career with greater professional and financial upside.

  Learning Objectives: 

  Participants will be able to:

  1. Define the fractional CFO business model and distinguish it from traditional CFO and compliance-focused CPA roles.
  2. Identify the skills, experience, and mindset shifts required to transition from compliance work to strategic financial leadership.
  3. Evaluate market opportunities for fractional CFO services, including target client profiles and pricing models.
  4. Assess pathways to launching or expanding a fractional CFO practice, including business development and service positioning strategies.
  5. Recognize the risks, rewards, and income potential associated with fractional CFO roles to determine alignment with personal career goals.

  Major Topics:

  • Overview of the Fractional CFO Model
  • Transitioning from Compliance to Strategy
  • Building and Structuring a Fractional CFO Practice
  • Business Development & Positioning
  • Income Diversification & Career Autonomy

   

• FRAUD STORIES TO LEARN FROM

  Speaker: Tim Ball

  Description: This session provides an in-depth look at real-world fraud cases, exploring the circumstances, investigative “detective work” used to uncover evidence, and the ultimate outcomes. Cases include misappropriation of assets, diversion of contract funds, and other unethical schemes. Participants will also learn practical strategies for mitigating fraud risk through the design and implementation of effective internal controls and prevention measures.

  Learning Objectives: 

  • The ins and outs of real-world fraud cases- the red flags in the Massey opportunity triangle and recent fraud trends based on the global report of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
  • Creative and innovative methods and technologies to collect the evidence/data/facts
  • Best practices for forensics CPA’s and attorneys to work together under attorney-client privilege and Kovel agreements
  • The importance of internal controls to mitigate risk of fraud

  Major Topics:

  • Fraud prevention
  • Fraud forensics investigations
• NONPROFIT ISSUES AND BOARD CONSIDERATIONS

  Speaker: Neely D. Duncan

  Description: Nonprofit organizations operate in a complex environment shaped by governance responsibilities, legal and fiduciary obligations, financial sustainability challenges, and growing expectations for transparency and impact. This session explores the critical role boards play in addressing these challenges, covering oversight, strategy, executive leadership, compliance, and risk management, while highlighting common pitfalls and emerging trends in the sector.

  Learning Objectives: 

  • Identify key issues currently impacting nonprofit organizations and their governance
  • Learn the board’s role in financial oversight, fundraising, and long-term sustainability
  • Apply practical strategies to strengthen board engagement, accountability, and decision-making

  Major Topics:

  • Fiduciary duties and legal responsibilities of nonprofit boards Financial oversight, fundraising, and sustainability
  • Board–executive director relationships and accountability
  • Ethics, compliance, and risk management Strategic planning and mission alignment
  • Board engagement, composition, and effectiveness
• PROFESSIONAL ISSUES UPDATE

  Speaker: Tim Pike

  Description: This session provides an update on the latest issues and anticipated changes affecting the CPA profession. Participants will learn about emerging opportunities to strengthen and shape the profession in Texas and gain insight into how TXCPA is advocating for CPAs. The session highlights the ways the association is connecting, protecting, and advancing members statewide.

  Learning Objectives: 

  • Stay informed on the latest issues and trends impacting the CPA profession
  • Understand upcoming changes in regulations and practices within the profession
  • Identify opportunities for professional growth and involvement in shaping the profession
  • Learn how TXCPA advocates for CPAs and supports the profession in Texas
  • Recognize how TXCPA is working to connect and protect CPAs across the state

  Major Topics:

  • Overview of the latest issues affecting the CPA profession
  • Anticipated changes and developments in the CPA profession
  • Opportunities to enhance and shape the CPA profession in Texas
  • TXCPA’s role in advocating for CPAs across the state
  • How TXCPA is connecting, protecting, and advancing CPAs

• PROFITABILITY OF MASTERING EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

  Speaker: Dr. Shannan Crawford

  Description: Emotional intelligence is now a measurable driver of profitability, retention, and leadership effectiveness. In this session, Dr. Shannan Crawford demonstrates how unconscious patterns can undermine decision-making, firm culture, and margins, and shows how her proprietary Restoring-Self-Cohesion (RSC) Method helps CPAs address these challenges at the root. Attendees will gain practical frameworks to enhance clarity under pressure, elevate leadership presence, and leverage emotional intelligence as a sustainable competitive advantage.

  Learning Objectives: This course equips CPAs with practical, psychology-based tools to leverage emotional intelligence as a strategic asset for leadership effectiveness, ethical decision-making, and sustainable profitability.

  Major Topics: At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to: Identify how emotional intelligence directly impacts profitability, retention, leadership effectiveness, and ethical decision-making within CPA firms and professional service organizations. Recognize common unconscious patterns—such as perfectionism, burnout cycles, conflict avoidance, and overextension—that undermine performance, client relationships, and firm culture. Apply principles from the Restoring-Self-Cohesion (RSC) framework to improve clarity under pressure, strengthen leadership presence, and enhance relational intelligence in high-stakes professional environments. Evaluate how strengthening emotional intelligence at the leadership level can reduce costly turnover, improve team engagement, and support sustainable firm growth. Implement practical strategies to integrate emotional intelligence into daily decision-making, communication, and leadership practices to support long-term organizational health and profitability.

   

• STATE TAX ISSUES RELATED TO OB3

  Speaker: Chris Gorman

  Description: This session will provide a practical overview of how states are responding to recent federal tax reform changes and what those developments may mean for taxpayers. The discussion will explore state conformity, decoupling and other key state tax considerations tied to major federal business tax provisions. Attendees will gain insight into how varying state approaches can affect tax planning and compliance, along with a framework for identifying areas that may require additional state-by-state analysis.

  Learning Objectives: 

  • Understand how states generally conform or decouple from federal tax law changes
  • Identify selected federal tax reform provisions that may create significant state tax implications
  • Recognize practical multistate tax considerations requiring state-by-state analysis
  • Highlight areas where taxpayers may need to monitor legislative, administrative, or conformity developments

  Major Topics:

  • State conformity and decoupling from federal tax changes
  • Federal tax provisions with state tax implications
  • Multistate tax planning and compliance considerations
  • Monitoring state legislative and administrative developments
  • Identifying areas needing state-by-state analysis
• TARIFFS, TRADE, AND SUPPLY CHAIN CONSIDERATIONS

  Speaker: Eric Woelke

  Description: This session provides the latest updates on supplemental tariffs in the U.S. Participants will also explore practical strategies to manage and potentially mitigate the impact of these tariffs on their organizations.

  Learning Objectives: Participants will learn the latest on US supplemental tariffs.

  Major Topics: U.S. supplemental tariffs

• TURN YOUR BRAIN ON - GET YOUR GAME ON

  Speaker: Dr. Leigh Richardson

  Description: Accounting professionals face constant change—regulatory updates, tight deadlines, client demands, and high-stakes decisions—which creates cognitive load affecting attention, judgment, and emotional regulation. This session explores why traditional “push through it” strategies often fail and provides a brain-based framework to stabilize focus, manage stress, protect mental energy, and sustain high performance. Attendees will leave with practical, evidence-based strategies to improve decision-making, enhance productivity, and maintain resilience during peak workload periods.

  Learning Objectives: 

  • Describe how uncertainty and chronic workload pressure affect cognitive function and professional judgment
  • Recognize early indicators of mental overload that increase error risk and impair decision-making
  • Implement simple, brain-based techniques to restore focus, regulate stress, and maintain cognitive clarity during the workday.

  Major Topics:

  • The neuroscience of uncertainty and its impact on attention, judgment, and cognitive endurance
  • How sustained stress affects accuracy, emotional control, and decision quality in high-responsibility roles
  • Practical techniques to regulate the nervous system and preserve mental capacity during high-demand periods
  • Applying these tools in accounting environments to support resilience, risk management, and sustainable performance
• WASHINGTON DC TAX UPDATE

  Speaker: Hank Gutman

  Description: This session explores current issues in domestic and international tax legislation and administration, examining both substantive changes and procedural considerations. Participants will gain insights into emerging trends, regulatory updates, and practical implications for compliance and decision-making in an evolving tax landscape.

  Learning Objectives: Understand the current state of tax legislation, regulations and administration.

  Major Topics: 

  • Administration tax structure--White House, Treasury and IRS
  • Congressional structure--Committees and importance of staff
  • Legislative rules
  • Legislative prospects
• YOU’VE BEEN CHOSEN

  Speaker: Cynt Marshall

  Description: “You’ve Been Chosen” introduces a values-based approach to living and leading. Participants will build skills in authentic leadership, fostering collaborative environments, strengthening teamwork, and effectively prioritizing. The “ALL IN” leadership approach provides practical tools to lead with intent, inclusion, insight, integration, and inspiration. Through storytelling, personal reflection, and group exercises, attendees will be inspired to live with a strong sense of purpose and lead in a people-centered way.

  Learning Objectives: 

  By the end of the course students will be able to:

  • Identify their core values 
  • Explain “all in” leadership and why it matters
  • Demonstrate teamwork, collaboration, and group problem solving. 
  • Embrace perspectives that differ from their own and
  • Develop a framework to integrate personal life and professional life.

  Major Topics:

  • Values-Based Leadership Foundations
  • Authentic Leadership
  • The “ALL IN” Leadership Framework
  • Collaborative Leadership & Teamwork
  • Prioritization & Strategic Focus
  • Purpose-Driven Living & Leading
  • Reflective & Experiential Learning