CPE EXPO

CPE EXPO 2026 Sessions

• 8:30 to 9:20 a.m. - Lessons from the Rich and Famous: Celebrity Estate and Tax Blunders

  Speaker: Jana Simons, J.D., LL.M., M.S.
  

  Overview: This presentation will contemplate estate planning and tax issues illuminated by celebrities. We will review and analyze mistake made, the consequence, and how to advise our clients to avoid these costly blunders. 

  Designed For: CPAs and other tax professionals who advise clients on estate planning and taxation. 

  Major Topics:  

  Consequences of not having an estate plan.  

  • State intestacy laws.  
  • Choice of fiduciaries. 
  • Cost of fiduciary litigation. 
  • Lack of privacy e. Ongoing management of decedent’s assets.  

   

  Holographic and competing wills and Statutory legality  

   

  Need to periodically reevaluate and update estate plan.  

  • Effectuate the desires of the client.  
  • Non-trust/terminating trust plans or plans that force mandatory principal distributions. 
  • Stress testing the plan under clients’ current/changing facts. 
  • Pretermitted child statute. e. International assets.  

   

  Estate tax issues  

  • Liquidity Marital deduction planning and consequences of leaving assets to non-spouse/significant other 
  • Discount and valuation i. Special asset valuation (art/royalties) ii. IRS position 
  • Lifetime transfers (transferring future appreciation) 

  Learning Objectives: The learning objects including an understanding of the following: - Why estate planning is necessary and the impact of failing to plan appropriately; - The need to reevaluate the plan frequently to ensure it aligns with client objectives in light of contemporaneous facts; and - Tax consequences of estate plan that lack thoughtful tax planning such as taking advantage of marital deduction and accurately reporting asset values. 

  Level of Knowledge: Basic 

  Field of Study: Taxes – Technical  

  Prerequisites: None 

  Advanced Preparation: None 

  CPE Credit: 1 

  Instructional Delivery Method: Group-Live

   

• 9:20 to 10:10 a.m. -  Market Outlook
  Speaker: Kimberly Spinks, CFA, CFP®
  
  

  Overview: We will provide an overview of Texas Bank and Trust Wealth Management's economic and market outlook for the year.

  Designed For: CPAs and other tax professionals seeking a high‑level overview of current economic conditions, market drivers, and capital markets expectations to better inform planning and advisory discussions.

  Major Topics: Macroeconomy - condition and current drivers; corporate earnings outlook; Fed's interest rate policy expectations, inflation and employment situations.

  Learning Objectives: Educate participants on the drivers of the macroeconomic environment and expectations for capital markets returns.

  Level of Knowledge: All levels

  Field of Study: Economics – Technical

  Prerequisites: None

  Advanced Preparation: None

  CPE Credit: 1

  Instructional Delivery Method: Group-Live 

• 10:20 a.m. to Noon - Modern Fraud Landscape: Emerging Threats in Illicit Finance

  Speaker: Mike Dawson
  

  Overview: Fraud is evolving faster on a global level utilizing well organized networks. These ever-evolving fraud schemes utilizing sophisticated money laundering networks move with speed, blending cyber and cryptocurrency tactics across borders. All businesses and private citizens face increasing exposure as these international and domestic threat actors exploit gaps and weaponize technological convenience.

  Designed For: CPAs and other tax professionals seeking a high‑level understanding of today’s evolving fraud landscape, including emerging threats, illicit finance trends, and their potential impact on organizations and individuals.

  Major Topics:

  -          Modern Large Scale Fraud Schemes & Tactics

  -          Illicit Finance and Money Movement

  -          Identification of Threat Actors and Organized Networks

  -          Prevention, Controls, and Response Strategy

  Learning Objectives:

  -          Understand how modern fraud schemes operate across digital and financial systems

  -          Identify illicit finance and emerging threat patterns

  -          Recognize vulnerabilities within your organization's controls and processes

  -          Build a proactive approach to managing evolving financial crime

  Level of Knowledge: All Levels

  Field of Study: Auditing – Technical

  Prerequisites: None

  Advanced Preparation: None

  CPE Credit: 2

  Instructional Delivery Method: Group-Live 

• 1 to 2:40 p.m. - Turn Your Brain On – Get Your Game On

  Speaker: Dr. Leigh Richardson

  Overview: 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.

  Designed For: CPAs and other tax professionals seeking practical, brain‑based strategies to manage stress, sustain focus, and maintain sound judgment in high‑pressure, fast‑changing work environments.

  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

  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.

  Level of Knowledge: Basic

  Field of Study: Personal Development – Non-Technical

  Prerequisites: None

  Advanced Preparation: None

  CPE Credit: 2

  Instructional Delivery Method: Group-Live 

• 2:50 to 4:30 p.m. - Professional Issues Update

  Speaker: Tim Pike

  Overview: 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.

  Designed For: CPAs and other tax professionals who want to stay informed about current issues, emerging developments, and advocacy efforts affecting the CPA profession in Texas and beyond.

  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

  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

  Level of Knowledge: Basic

  Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge – Technical  

  Prerequisites: None

  Advanced Preparation: None

  CPE Credit: 2

  Instructional Delivery Method: Group-Live