• Cybersecurity
• Data Breach
• Information Security
• IRS
• Professional Issues

CPE: Information Security Plans for Tax Professionals: A Review of Existing Guidance

This article reviews the essential information security responsibilities of tax professionals and CPA firms amid growing cybersecurity threats. It outlines key IRS and FTC requirements, and offers practical steps for safeguarding taxpayer data, detecting and responding to breaches, and complying with data privacy laws.

• Corporate Transparency Act
• Digital Assets
• Elder Law
• Federal Taxation
• Oil and Gas
• Pet Trust
• Revocable Living Trust

Top 10 Estate Planning Topics in Texas in 2025: A Scholarly Perspective

This article highlights 10 key issues shaping estate planning in Texas. As a client's needs grow more complex, Texas CPAs play a critical role in guiding them with expertise, foresight and personalized strategies.

By Brad Wiewel, JD, and Zach Wiewel, JD, LL.M. (Tax)

• Accounting
• FASB
• PCC
• Private Company Council
• Professional Issues

The PCC’s 2025 Priorities: Advising FASB on Private Company Issues

In 2025, the Private Company Council continued its work advising the Financial Accounting Standards Board on financial reporting issues affecting private companies. PCC Chair Jere Shawver discusses key accomplishments and what's ahead.

By Jere Shawver, PCC Chair

• Becoming a CPA
• CPA Pipeline
• Legislative Advocacy
• Membership
• Professional Issues

Legislative Wins Reshape CPA Licensure and Mobility in Texas

TXCPA achieved major legislative wins in the 89th Texas Legislature, including creation of a new CPA licensure pathway and modernizing practice mobility. These victories highlight our leadership in opening new doors for current and future CPAs.

• Becoming a CPA
• Leadership
• Membership
• Volunteer

What’s Happening Around Texas - November-December 2025

TXCPA chapters across Texas hosted events supporting education, professional growth and community engagement. Highlights include Corpus Christi’s school supply drive, Dallas’s behind-the-scenes Meyerson Symphony Center tour, East Texas’s Leadership Day, and San Antonio’s Beta Alpha Psi Competition and Accounting Educators Mixer.

• Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
• ESG Reporting
• IAASB
• IASB
• SASB
• Sustainability

IAASB Approves New Standard on Sustainability Assurance

The IAASB approved ISSA 5000, the first comprehensive global standard for sustainability assurance, effective for periods beginning December 15, 2026. The principles-based standard applies to all ESG topics, introduces the concept of double materiality, and allows for limited or reasonable assurance engagements.

By Ashley Bentley, Ed.D., CPA; Lana Becker, Ed.D., CPA (Inactive); and Emily Cokeley, Ph.D., CPA

• Community
• Membership
• Professional Issues

Our Rising Stars Shine Brightly

TXCPA Chair Billy Kelley highlights the November/December issue of Today’s CPA, where we celebrate TXCPA’s Rising Stars - emerging leaders shaping the profession’s future. He also discusses the articles on estate planning, sustainability standards, information security, and TXCPA advocacy, plus chapter updates as members close out the year.

By Billy Kelley, TXCPA Chair

• AI
• AICPA
• Artificial Intelligence
• Automation
• Machine Learning
• PCAOB
• Robotic Process Automation
• SEC

Automation and AI and its Impact on the Future of Accounting

Automation and artificial intelligence are revolutionizing accounting by streamlining tasks, improving accuracy and enhancing decision making. While offering efficiency and strategic benefits, these technologies also raise challenges around ethics, data privacy and workforce skills.

• Audit
• PCAOB
• Professional Issues
• SEC

PCAOB Adopts New Audit Firm and Engagement-Level Metrics Disclosures

PCAOB's Release No. 2024-002 introduces new firm-level and engagement-level audit metrics to increase transparency and provide more decision-useful information. While broadly supporting the goal, stakeholders raised concerns about high compliance costs, a limited link to audit quality and potential negative impacts on smaller firms.

By Kevin Hee, Ph.D.

• Becoming a CPA
• Community
• CPA Pipeline
• Leadership
• Member Benefit
• Membership
• Volunteer

Take Note

In this edition of Take Note: November is Accounting Opportunities Month and TXCPA Month of Service; Member Insurance Program Provides Exclusive Benefits; Midyear Leadership Council Meeting is January 22-23; Support Through ACAN; TXCPA’s Career Center

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