Take Note

Published: Nov 3, 2026

In this edition of Take Note: Accounting Opportunities Month and TXCPA Month of Service; TXCPA’s Advocacy Day and Midyear Leadership Council Meeting; Member Insurance Program; Accountants Confidential Assistance Network (ACAN); CGMA® Designation; New: Career Compass - Five Competencies That Keep You Indispensable in the Age of AI

 

November is Accounting Opportunities Month and TXCPA Month of Service!

During Accounting Opportunities Month, TXCPA members and educators can help Texas students discover where a career in accounting can take them. As a CPA and advocate for the next generation, you can:
  • Inspire students to explore careers in accounting.
  • Share your experience and give students a firsthand look at the profession.
  • Connect CPAs, educators and students.
  • Make an impact on an aspiring CPA’s future.
Scan the QR code below to learn more about Accounting Opportunities Month and ways you can help introduce students to the possibilities of a CPA career.

November is also TXCPA’s annual Month of Service, bringing members, firms and companies together to support communities across Texas. Volunteer opportunities range from stocking food pantries and leading financial literacy workshops to organizing holiday toy drives.

Find an opportunity that fits your interests and put the profession’s spirit of service into action. To learn more, contact your local chapter or the TXCPA Membership team at membership@tx.cpa or 800-428-0272.

TXCPA’s Advocacy Day and Midyear Leadership Council Meeting

January 26-27, 2027 | Austin, Texas

Join us in Austin for two days of connection, advocacy, and updates on TXCPA and professional issues. Advocacy Day on Tuesday, Jan. 26, is open to all TXCPA members and will provide an opportunity to visit the Texas Capitol to meet with legislators and legislative staff. On Wednesday, Jan. 27, members will gather for the Midyear Leadership Council Meeting. All TXCPA members are invited to attend.

Hotel: Hilton Austin, 500 E. Fourth St., Austin, TX 78701
Room rate: $299 per night, plus 15% occupancy tax and a 2% daily charge
Reservation deadline: Jan. 4, 2027, or until the room block sells out

Save the date and plan to be part of the conversation. Visit the Leadership Meetings area at www.tx.cpa for registration and additional details.

TXCPA Member Insurance Program: Smart Protection, Exclusive Benefits

Protect your family, career and future with the TXCPA Member Insurance Program. Get quality coverage designed with CPAs in mind, plus member-only rates and trusted providers. Explore your options by visiting txcpainsure.org or calling 800-428-0272.

ACAN: Your Confidential Path to Support

If you’re navigating addiction, substance use or mental health challenges, TXCPA’s Accountants Confidential Assistance Network offers a safe, confidential place to turn. Visit tx.cpa/resources/acan to access support and resources. Reach out by calling 866-766-ACAN or texting 214-566-2854. Every communication is protected and confidential under the law.

Unlock New Opportunities with the CGMA® Designation

Take your career to the next level with the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA®) designation, developed by AICPA and CIMA. This globally respected credential demonstrates expertise beyond technical accounting skills, with a focus on strategy, performance, decision-making, leadership and ethics. Learn more about the CGMA® designation by visiting the CGMA website.

Career Compass

Technical expertise may be the foundation of a CPA career, but lasting career growth takes more. Career Compass is a new Today’s CPA feature offering practical tips to help you build skills, strengthen professional relationships and navigate your next career move. Explore the tips in this inaugural installment.

"The CPA Advantage: Five Competencies That Keep You Indispensable in the Age of AI"

Artificial intelligence is transforming the accounting profession, but it isn’t replacing the human strengths that make CPAs trusted advisors. Machines can analyze patterns, forecast outcomes and automate workflows. What they cannot do is set vision, interpret nuance or build trust. CPAs who lean into distinctly human competencies will remain indispensable as the profession evolves.

These are the five capabilities that give CPAs their edge in an AI-driven world.

1. Critical Thinking – Turning Data Into Judgment. AI can surface anomalies, but it can’t decide what they mean or what to do next. Why it matters:
  • Systems flag issues; CPAs determine root causes.
  • Judgment requires context – strategy, industry dynamics, client goals.
  • The “right” answer often isn’t obvious, especially when data conflicts.

How CPAs strengthen it:

  • Ask deeper questions: “What assumptions are baked into this model and what’s missing?”
  • Encourage teams to explain their reasoning, not just their conclusions.
  • Slow down enough to evaluate qualitative factors before acting.

2. Creativity – Innovation Beyond the Algorithm. AI recognizes patterns; humans imagine what’s possible. Where creativity shows up:

  • Designing new strategies, not just interpreting old results.
  • Connecting insights to long-term goals.
  • Spotting opportunities that don’t exist in historical data.

How CPAs strengthen it:

  • Build small pockets of reflection into the week.
  • Use AI for brainstorming but rely on lived experience for breakthroughs.
  • Encourage curiosity and experimentation.

3. Empathy – The Competency That Builds Trust. Technology changes fast, and people often feel overwhelmed, uncertain or left behind. Why empathy matters:

  • It reduces defensiveness and increases openness.
  • It helps teams navigate change without fear.
  • It strengthens relationships across generations and comfort levels with tech.

How CPAs strengthen it:

  • Listen fully before responding.
  • Acknowledge concerns directly. (“I can see why that felt frustrating.”)
  • Pair empathy with action – training, clarity, support.

4. Strategic Vision – Seeing the Big Picture AI Can’t. While AI can forecast trends, it cannot interpret them through mission, values or long-term strategy. What strategic vision enables:

  • Connecting insights across departments and functions.
  • Translating complexity into clear direction.
  • Guiding organizations toward future relevance.

How CPAs strengthen it:

  • Scan for emerging trends and disruptions.
  • Ask big-picture questions about impact and opportunity.
  • Align decisions with long-term value, not just short-term metrics.

5. Interpersonal Relationships – From Transactional to Relational. Accounting is ultimately a people profession. Trust drives every engagement. Why relationships matter:

  • They turn technical expertise into influence.
  • They deepen client loyalty and team engagement.
  • They create the conditions for long-term success.
How CPAs strengthen them:
  • Start meetings with quick human check-ins.
  • Network internally to understand colleagues’ goals and pressures.
  • Shift from transactional praise (“Thanks for the report”) to relational impact (“Your analysis helped us anticipate next quarter’s cash needs”).
The Human Connection - AI accelerates the work, but CPAs elevate it. Critical thinking, creativity, empathy, strategic vision, and strong relationships are the competencies that keep CPAs indispensable – not because they compete with AI, but because they do what AI cannot.

Source: AICPA, “Five Human Competencies CPAs Need in the AI Age" by Jaclyn T. Badeau, CPA, CGMA, and Jessica E. McClain, CPA/CITP

Thanks to the Sponsors of Today's CPA Magazine

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