today's cpa

July-August 2024

FEATURED ARTICLE

Introducing Our New Chair, Mohan Kuruvilla

Mohan Kuruvilla, Ph.D., CPA-Houston, is serving as TXCPA's Chair for 2024-2025. His focus is on modernizing accounting education with data analytics and AI while addressing the talent shortage through experiential learning and stronger academic-employer partnerships. His objectives for the year include promoting continuous learning and attracting students to the accounting profession.

CPE: Distinguishing Debts from Equity - Warrants Issued in Conjunction with Debt Instruments

Stock warrants give an entity the right to buy or sell a security at a set price before a certain date, deriving value from their underlying asset, similar to stock options. Companies may issue these warrants alongside equity or debt instruments. This article focuses on warrants issued with debt instruments, analyzing their classifications and accounting implications based on ASC guidance.

Corporate Transparency Act: An Update

Now that 60 days have passed since the Corporate Transparency Act was implemented, this article provides an update on the latest issues. Even if CPAs are not responsible for BOI filings, they should monitor changes in guidance and relay this information to their clients to keep them aware.

What’s Happening Around Texas

In What’s Happening Around Texas, we give you highlights of events and activities happening around the state in TXCPA and the TXCPA chapters.

chapter-map-coded-by-size 2024-2025 TXCPA Chapter Officers

See the listing of new TXCPA chapter officers. This dedicated group of volunteers will be leading the chapters in the 2024-2025 year.

Tackling the Talent Shortage

The July/August issue of Today's CPA features the first message from our new TXCPA Chair. He writes that it's an exciting time for accounting educators, particularly in light of TXCPA's multi-year CPA Pipeline Strategy and involvement with AICPA's National Pipeline Advisory Group, all aimed at addressing the talent shortage in the accounting profession.

The 2024 Election and the Upcoming 2025 Legislative Session

The 89th Session of the Texas Legislature starts on January 14, 2025, following a tumultuous 2024 election season where the Texas House saw many incumbents defeated and significant political upheaval. TXCPA invites input on important legislative issues as we prepare for the upcoming session.

Will Others Follow BDO’s Lead to Attract and Retain Staff?

Facing a decline in new entrants and retention issues, BDO USA implemented an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), departing from the traditional partnership model. This shift gives BDO's employees ownership stakes, aligning their interests with the firm's long-term success. This move may set a precedent for other large and mid-market firms to follow.

Spotlight on Cyber Insurance

Cyber insurance is essential for protecting businesses from the increasing frequency and cost of cyberattacks. Standalone cyber insurance policies provide comprehensive coverage, including incident response, business interruption, cybercrime, and privacy liability. This insurance is particularly crucial for accounting firms, which are frequent targets of cyberattacks, helping them mitigate financial and reputational damages.

Take Note

In this edition of Take Note: TXCPA Connects With 2,800+ Students During Accounting Opportunities Month; Purchase a Listing in TXCPA’s New Employer Guide; TXCPA’s Career Center; Top Meditation Apps; Leadership Nominations; TXCPA Recognizes 2023-2024 Award Recipients