Leaders Advocate in D.C. for Issues Critical to the CPA Profession

By Kenneth Besserman
Director of Government Affairs and Special Counsel

(Washington D.C.) - TXCPA’s members of AICPA Council and special guests attended the 2025 AICPA Council Meeting in Washington, D.C. on May 12-14. Joining hundreds of CPAs from around the country and leadership from other state CPA societies, the meeting centered on bringing CPA voices to Capitol Hill to advocate for several federal issues that are critical to the CPA profession.

TXCPA had 16 leaders in D.C. who met with 29 members of Congress, including both Texas Senators. The timing could not have been better for the profession as the U.S. House of Representatives and several committees were hearing various portions of the tax bill. We found an eager audience on Capitol Hill and were effective in bringing our message to Congress.

On these Hill visits, TXCPA representatives advocated for four main issues important to the profession and our members:

+ Pass-through Entity Tax (PTET)
Most significantly, the issue of pass-through entity tax (PTET) was top of mind at the AICPA meeting and in our meetings on the Hill, based on proposed tax legislation that was released the same week.  Read more about PTET here.

+ Accounting as STEM
Recognizing accounting as a STEM profession is an issue that is important to the CPA pipeline with wide bi-partisan support. STEM legislation would designate accounting as a profession within the technology arm of the existing federal STEM program. Including accounting in STEM would provide access to federal money to be sent to the states for increased exposure of the accounting profession in high school curricula. The CPA pipeline will benefit as more students become aware of accounting as a profession and the numerous career paths that an accounting education and CPA license can provide. The STEM legislation has been filed in both the House and Senate with bi-partisan authors in both the House and the Senate. We are encouraged by the good reception that the bill received and are optimistic the legislation can have more momentum this year. Get more background.

+ Expanded Use of 529 Plans
Expanding use of 529 plans also has wide bi-partisan support and would enable 529 beneficiaries to use plan funds to cover the costs of certain workforce training, credentialing programs, certification exams, and maintenance of certification credentials. The costs of exams, certifications, and credentialing can be expensive and cost prohibitive. TXCPA and AICPA are heartened to hear that the 529 language has been added to the tax bill that passed the Ways and Means Committee on Monday. This issue cuts across all professions and occupations and will help all those who want to continue their educational pursuits.

+ Good Tax Policy
Finally, TXCPA members spoke to Congressional offices about the need for good tax policy. Our message to Congress was one of accountability, certainty, convenience of payment, effective tax administration, fairness and equity, information security, neutrality, simplicity, and transparency and visibility. These are all issues that taxpayers, professionals, and Congress can agree upon. CPAs can be a resource for Congress and recommend that these issues be guiding principles in crafting and passing tax legislation.