Steadfast Leadership: William Treacy’s 35 Years at the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy

Spotlight Article

When William Treacy talks about his work, he rarely talks about himself. Instead, he talks about duty, trust and the public interest – principles he traces back to Cork City, Ireland, where he grew up before becoming a naturalized American citizen in young adulthood. “Integrity, perseverance and respect were values instilled in me by my family,” he says. “Doing the right thing isn’t always simple, but if you can step back and ask yourself how your actions affect others – positively or negatively – that becomes your guide.”

That compass has directed Treacy through 35 years at the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy (TSBPA), a tenure few state agency leaders can claim. His path there began after serving as the executive director of another state agency and working in the private sector, experiences that ultimately clarified where he felt most at home. “I realized I preferred serving in the public sector,” he remembers. When the executive director position at TSBPA opened, he applied along with many others. “I was honored to be selected.”

The Draw of a Profession That Shapes People’s Lives

While the role brought him to TSBPA, the profession itself made him stay. Treacy sees accounting as more than a business focus – it is a pillar of human well-being. “People worry most about two things: their health and their financial stability,” he says. “And they’re interdependent. You can’t maintain your physical health without the financial means to support it.”

That belief deepened his commitment to building a regulatory environment that protects the public while supporting a profession whose work affects nearly every household and business in Texas.

A Culture of Responsiveness

Ask Treacy about his proudest accomplishment and he answers without hesitation: his staff and creating a workplace culture centered on responsiveness and public service.

Every two months, Board members receive pages – sometimes more than 10 – of unsolicited compliments from CPA Exam candidates, new licensees and occasionally, even from someone involved in an enforcement action. “For a state agency, it’s unusual,” Treacy acknowledges. “It’s remarkable when people take the time to compliment.”

He sees it most vividly at swearing-in ceremonies, where families of new CPAs and 50-year licensees regularly praise TSBPA’s staff. He emphasizes that the staff makes this possible, that they make people feel supported during what can be a stressful process.

Technology, Mobility and the New Regulatory Terrain

Treacy has watched the CPA profession transform – technologically, structurally and globally. That evolution, he says, has reshaped state regulation. “CPAs are now expected to pair financial expertise with the ability to leverage technology for sophisticated analysis,” he notes. But the bigger challenge for regulators is online and cross-border practice. “With mobility, the state may not know who is practicing here until something negative happens. Agencies can post their rules, but we have to assume practitioners will familiarize themselves with them – and that’s not always the case.”

He believes CPAs have the same obligation to understand state requirements as they do IRS rules or attest standards. He says a practitioner would be remiss not to know the rules of the jurisdiction where they practice.

One of Treacy’s greatest concerns looking forward is the growing influence of private equity in accounting firms – and the uneven regulatory responses emerging across states.

“The public expects uniformity,” he stresses. “We need consistency in how the CPA designation is used and protected.”

He points to the national Uniform Accountancy Act Committee, which is working to anticipate issues and create consistent guidelines. Without coordination, he warns that some states may pass laws that dilute the importance of the CPA designation in the eyes of the public.

Advice for the Next Generation of CPAs

Treacy wants students and young professionals to understand the weight of what they are stepping into. “This is not just another certification,” he says. “The CPA license is a social contract between the individual and the state. Your first obligation is to the public.”

He often reminds new CPAs that this applies beyond public practice. “Many major failures begin inside private companies. CPAs in industry have as much – or sometimes more – responsibility to the public as those in public practice.”

Treacy also hopes they see the possibilities the license unlocks. He says this is a global opportunity, noting high performers who have taken international roles or risen to CFO positions. “A high degree of professionalism can take you very far.”

Purposeful Leadership in a Changing Profession

Balancing a demanding leadership role with a personal life requires discipline – and technology. Treacy sets boundaries, but he remains on call. “I don’t mind taking my iPad on trips,” he says with a laugh. “Keeping up with issues as they arise makes everything more manageable than trying to catch up later.”

Above all, Treacy takes pride in the people he serves alongside. “The caliber of our appointed Board members is outstanding,” he says. “They serve voluntarily and their commitment to the public is exceptional.”

After 35 years, Treacy remains motivated by the same values that guided him from Cork City to Texas: integrity, responsibility and a deep commitment to guard the public’s trust. As the profession faces new challenges – from AI to private equity – his steady leadership continues to anchor one of the state’s most essential regulatory bodies.

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