Don't miss this opportunity to gather with fellow accounting educators to share ideas and discuss common issues. Expect a line up of sessions that will boost your knowledge on current accounting, auditing and financial topics.

During the conference, the Accounting Education Foundation along with the TXCPA Relations with Educational Institutions Committee honor Outstanding Accounting Educators who have demonstrated excellence in teaching and have distinguished themselves through active service to the accounting profession.

CPE Hours: Up to 12

Member standard fee: $249 (in person & webcast) 
Non-member fee: ​$329 (in person & webcast)​ 

Event venue: At DoubleTree Austin Hotel | Reserve a room
The TXCPA discounted room block is full, but accommodations are still available at market rates.
6505 N. I-35, Austin, TX 78752 | Map |  (512) 454-3737

CPE InfoLine: 800-428-0272 or 972-687-8500 in Dallas | E-mail Customer Service

Day One - Friday, Oct. 27

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.  -  Check-in and Light Breakfast 

8:30 - 9:30 a.m. - General Session - If You Can’t Beat Them, Join Them: 12 Ways to use ChatGPT in Teaching
Rachel Gambol, MSA, CPA, Instructor of Accounting/The University of Tampa/Tampa
ChatGPT is here whether we want it or not. This session will include ways to embrace ChatGPT to improve teaching and productivity. The session will include several ways to incorporate ChatGPT into assignments and class activities. Lastly, the session will address ways ChatGPT can be used as a productivity tool in teaching.

Major Topics:

• History and current state of ChatGPT
• Comparison to other AI / ChatBot tools
• Ways to use ChatGPT in the classroom, including specific examples for both financial and managerial classes
• Productivity tools using ChatGPT as a starting point

Major Topics:

• Define ChatGPT
• Describe ways that ChatGPT can be incorporated into assignments and class activities
• Describe ways that ChatGPT can be used to increase productivity

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Information Technology

9:30 a.m. – 9:35 a.m. - Break

9:35 – 10:35 a.m. - Breakout Sessions

+ Revolutionizing the Accounting Profession (Breakout 1)
Jan Taylor, CPA, CGMA, Ph.D./Academic in Residence and Senior Director/AICPA and CIMA
As the accounting profession adapts to technological and societal changes, so must accounting academics. This session will present information about AICPA's Pipeline Acceleration Plan, focusing on those aspects that impact accounting education and what academics can do to help prepare our next generation of CPAs and other accounting professionals.

Major Topics:

• Accounting pipeline
• STEM
• College and university initiatives
• Scholarships
• CPA Exam
  

Learning Objectives:

• Understand changes to the 2024 CPA Exam
• Understand AICPA's Pipeline Acceleration Plan
• Identify actions accounting academics can take to assist in the growth of the accounting pipeline
  

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge

+ Creating the Inclusive Learning Environment (Breakout 2)
Cathy J. Scott, Ph.D./Associate Professor of Business Accounting/University of North Texas at Dallas/Dallas
Creating an inclusive learning environment requires educators to understand that great minds often think and learn differently. For example, many neurodivergent students have above-average intelligence, demonstrate high levels of creativity, and are detail-oriented, focused and efficient. However, these students often find it difficult to “fit into” the traditional higher education classroom. This session will discuss learning similarities and differences between neurotypical and neurodivergent students. You will also take away inclusive instructional strategies and course design tips to help you embrace all learners in your accounting courses.

Major Topics:

• Neurodiversity Teaching and Learning Strategies Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
  

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the differences between neurotypical and neurodivergent learners
• Discover inclusive instructional strategies
• Discuss course design tips to engage all learners in your accounting courses

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study:  Specialized Knowledge

10:35 – 10:45 a.m. -  Break 

10:45 – 11:45 a.m.  Breakout Sessions

+ CPA Exam Update and Roundtable Discussion on Curriculum Changes (Breakout 1)

+ Micro Credentialing in the Classroom (Breakout 2)
Laurie Burney, Ph.D., CPA (TN-inactive), CMA, CSCA, Associate Professor, JE Bush Professor of Accounting/Baylor University/Waco
To thrive in their careers, your students need to gain knowledge in both theory and practice. Join us for a discussion on using readily available resources to provide micro-credentialing opportunities to their students . You’ll leave with a turn-key solution on how to implement this type of program at your school!

Major Topics:

• Hiring Trends and In-Demand Skills​
• Micro-Credentials
• Classroom Example: Data Analytics and RPA Micro-Credential​

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about Current Hiring Trends and In-Demand Skills​
• Discover the variety of available Micro-Credentials​
• Learn how Data Analytics and RPA Micro-Credentials are used in the classroom​

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge

11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. -  Lunch Break
Lunch will be provided.

12:45 – 1:45 p.m. - Breakout Sessions

+ ESG/Sustainability in Accounting (Breakout 1)
Michael Kraten, Ph.D., CPA/Director of Accounting Program Initiatives/University of Houston/Houston
Environmental, social and governance data reports are designed to promote the sustainability of our societies and the organizations that “drive” our economy. In this session, we’ll review the financial, managerial, tax, assurance and regulatory content that should be integrated throughout accounting programs. We’ll also discuss curricular approaches for incorporating experiential, interactive, game-oriented “real world” teaching methods into learning activities.

Major Topics:

• GRI, SASB, SDG and TCFD reporting standards
• Integrated supply chain/value chain data management systems
• Carbon credit incentive programs
• Internal control, ERM and limited assurance reporting practices
• SEC, CSRD and CSDD disclosure laws and regulations
• Save The Blue Frog! An experiential role-playing game

 Learning Objectives:

• To review the contemporary sustainability content that should be integrated throughout accounting programs
• To participate in an excerpt of an experiential, interactive learning game that has been employed in numerous academic and professional education programs
• To discuss the applicability of sustainability education content to TSBPA requirements and AACSB standards

 Skill Level: Basic

 Field of Study: Accounting

+ ED Talks from TXCPA Educators (Breakout 2) 
Saleha B. Khumawala, PhD, CPA, CGMA/University of Houston/Houston
Jennifer Reynolds, CPA/University of Texas/Tyler
Denise A. White/Austin Community
Moderator: Sarah Robertson
In this session, you will learn great teaching ideas and tips from outstanding educators. In this engaging and interactive session, you'll hear from the TXCPA Outstanding Accounting Educators as they share best practices to incorporate into your classroom.

Major Topics:

• Best Practices for Teaching Accounting
• Teaching Ideas for Accounting

Learning Objectives:

• Promote best practices for teaching accounting
• Discuss teaching ideas for the classroom

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge

1:45 – 1:50 p.m. -  Break 

1:50 – 2:50 p.m. - Breakout Sessions

+ Students Don’t Learn Like We Did. Now What? (Breakout 1)
Karen Congo Farmer, CPA/Senior Lecturer/Texas A&M University/College Station
Distinctive qualities as learners helped to draw professors to teaching. By extension, the natural learning methods we used may not be automatic for our students today. Might we wrongly assume that our students are absorbing and making connections with material simply because "we cover it" in class? With an eye on maintaining the profession, I believe educators should teach students how to learn concurrently with content coverage. That way, our time in the classroom will provide long-term value.

Major Topics:

• How we as professors differ from our students.
• The types of learning methods we used as students (and still use today)
• Why students must be taught how to learn
• How educators can make simple adjustments to our teaching to guide students in their learning-to-learn process

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the traits of the "learner" and whether you and your students possess them
• Consider whether your current teaching plan encourages students to learn for the long term or to memorize and dump
• Explore simple and effective ways to incorporate teaching students how to learn into your present curriculum

Skill Level: Intermediate

Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge

+ Invisible Diversity (Breakout 2)
Larry Stephens, CPA, JD/LLM, Department Chair, Accounting/Austin Community College District/Austin
Kelli Blount, CPA, Associate Professor/Austin Community College/Austin
Diversity is a hot topic in higher education and in our society; diversity is all around us whether we recognize it or not. In this engaging session, we will examine the stereotypes that exist about accountants and the accounting profession and how this serves as a potential barrier to being able to attract and recruit students into the world of accounting as a career choice. If you pay close attention, you may also discover that diversity is more than meets the eye. You may even leave the session with some ideas on how to dispel some of these stereotypes and help your students see the invisible diversity that exists in the accounting profession.

Major Topics:

• Definition of diversity
• What does diversity look like
• How institutions seek to achieve diversity
• How all of this talk about diversity impacts the accounting profession, especially accounting students.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognizing the commonly held stereotypes of the accounting profession
• Promoting various forms of diversity so students can see themselves as part of the accounting profession
• Reviewing best practices for promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the classroom

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Human Resources/Personnel

2:50 – 3 p.m. -  Break

3 – 3:50 p.m. -  General Session – Student Panel 

3:50 – 4 p.m.  -  Break 

4 – 4:50 p.m. - General Session – Accounting Pipeline Discussion (Part I)
Jodi Ann Ray, CAE, CCE, IOM/CEO/TXCPA/Dallas
Accounting programs have experienced changes in enrollments over the past several years. To that end, the TXCPA has been working on various pipeline initiatives. This session will explain current accounting enrollment trends. TXCPA will share various initiatives, at both the state and national level, to address the accounting pipeline.

Major Topics:

• Accounting Pipeline
• Initiatives that address Pipeline Concerns

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss accounting pipeline issues
• Promote initiatives that address pipeline concerns

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge

5 – 6 p.m. -  Happy Hour Reception (held onsite at the DoubleTree)

Day 2 – Saturday, October 28 

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.  -  Check-in and Light Breakfast 

8:30 – 9:20 a.m. - General Session – High School Educator Panel 
Presenter: TBD
Moderator: Larry Stephens, CPA, JD/LLM, Department Chair, Accounting/Austin Community College District/Austin
Join us for a panel discussion that provides insights about accounting education at the high school level. In this session, we bring together a diverse group of high school educators who specialize in teaching accounting. They will share their experiences, strategies, and success stories about accounting education and preparing students for college.

Major Topics:

• Insights into High School Accounting Education
• Interactive Q&A with HS Educators/li>

Learning Objectives:

• Gain insights into high school accounting education
• Identify strategies for creating connections with HS educators and students

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge

9:20 – 9:30 am. - Break 

9:30 – 10:20 a.m. -  Breakout Sessions

+ STEM in Accounting – What is the Process? (Breakout 1)
Presenter: TBD
In the dynamic landscape of higher education, accounting programs are evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of students and employers. One transformative shift is the reclassification of Accounting programs under approved "STEM" CIP codes by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Join us in this session, where we will discuss the intricacies of this significant change and explore the benefits it brings to academic institutions, faculty, and students. This session promises insights, success stories, and valuable resources to help you embark on your STEM journey.

Major Topics:

• STEM Accounting Education
• Resources for transitioning to STEM

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the significance of STEM designation for accounting programs
• Promote knowledge and resources necessary to initiate STEM designation

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Information Technology

+ Regular and Substantive Interaction in Online Classes: What is It, and How Do We Get It Right? (Breakout 2) 
Stephanie Swaim, CPA/Dallas College/Dallas 
Effective July 1, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education set regulations requiring that all distance education courses for which students may use federal financial aid “ensure that there is regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors.” And such interactions must be actively and intentionally initiated by the instructor. So, what does that mean for those of us teaching online accounting courses?

Major Topics:

• This session would provide more information to faculty about these new guidelines covering topics such as: 
• What is the difference between correspondence and distance learning courses, and why does it matter?
• What are the new requirements for distance education?
• What is the definition of regular and substantive interaction between students and instructors? And how could it change how we teach our online accounting courses?
• What are some easy and practical ways for faculty to implement these practices and/or document what we are already doing with students in our online accounting courses?

Learning Objectives:

• Define Regular and Substantive Interaction (RSI)&
• Understand why RSI is important
• Determine appropriate teaching strategies to incorporate RSI into online courses
• Provide evidence of RSI compliance

Skill Level:  Intermediate 

Field of Study:  Specialized Knowledge 

10:20 – 10:30 a.m. -  Break 

10:30 – 11:20 a.m. - General Session – Employer Panel
Presenters: TBD
Moderator: Linda Vaello, CPA
Are you curious about the qualities, skills, and experiences that top employers seek in accounting university students? Do you want your students to gain a competitive edge in the job market and learn what it takes to secure internships and full-time positions with leading organizations? Join us for an illuminating panel discussion featuring recruiters and employers who actively hire accounting students for internships and career opportunities.

Major Topics:

• Insights into the recruitment process
• Key skills and competencies employers value
• Interactive Q&A with Employers

Learning Objectives:

• Gain a deeper understanding of what employers are looking for in accounting students
• Acquire insights into the recruiting process
• Discover the current employment outlook for accounting majors

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge 

11:20 – 11:30 a.m. -  Break 

11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. -  General Session – Pipeline Strategy Discussion (Part II) 
Jodi Ann Ray, CAE, CCE, IOM/CEO/TXCPA/Dallas
Julia Woislaw, Senior Manager/AICPA/College Station
This session will continue the accounting pipeline discussion from the previous day. We will have a facilitated discussion to brainstorm future pipeline strategies and opportunities for accounting educators. 

Major Topics:

• Accounting pipeline initiatives
• Brainstorm future pipeline strategies

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss current pipeline initiatives
• Brainstorm future pipeline strategies

Skill Level:  Basic

Field of Study:  Specialized Knowledge

The Texas Society of CPAs is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. Boards of Accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.