January-February 2026

Flipbook

In this issue:

February 10, 2026

Take Note

Join Us for the 2026 Midyear Leadership Council and Members Meeting!

January 22-23, 2026 | College Station, TX

Mark your calendar for Thursday and Friday, January 22–23, 2026, at the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center in College Station. This event is open to all TXCPA members and offers an incredible opportunity to stay informed and connected. You’ll gain valuable insights with TXCPA and professional updates, while networking with peers who share your passion for excellence.

What better backdrop than College Station – a city that began as a humble railroad town and has evolved into a dynamic hub of education, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. Home to Texas A&M University, it’s a place rich in history and energy, offering something for everyone to enjoy. Also, come in a day early and attend a Federal Tax Update on January 21. Click here to register.

Texas A&M Hotel & Conference Center | 177 Joe Routt Blvd, College Station, TX 77840 | Learn more about the meeting

A Confidential Place to Turn: Support Through ACAN

Accounting is rewarding, but the stress and pressure can take a toll. If you’re struggling, the Accountants Confidential Assistance Network (ACAN) provides confidential, peer-to-peer support for CPAs, candidates and students.

ACAN is protected by Texas law, free to use, and available anytime by call or text. Services include one-on-one support, referrals, interventions and weekly Zoom meetings. Austin meets Fridays at 12 p.m., Dallas meets Mondays at 6:15 p.m., and the Women’s Group meets on the first and third Tuesdays at 12 p.m.

Reach out at 866-766-ACAN or 214-566-2854 or click here to learn more.

Advance Your Career with the CGMA® Designation

The Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA®) designation – jointly developed by the AICPA and CIMA – is a globally respected credential for management accountants. It represents strong skills in strategic thinking, leadership and financial analysis.

Highly regarded by employers, the CGMA stands out for its worldwide recognition, emphasis on strategy and leadership, and commitment to ethics and professionalism. Learn more on the CGMA website.

TXCPA's 2026 CPE Programs

Upcoming Conferences

Nonprofit Organizations Conference

May 18 – 19 | Live/InPerson | Webcast/Webinar

Texas School Districts Accounting and Auditing Conference

June 1 – 2 | Live/InPerson

Technology Conference

May 4 – 5 | Webcast/Webinar

Virtual Energy Conference

May 11 – 12 | Webcast/Webinar

Federal Tax Update Programs

Navigate 2025 tax law changes with this practical update designed for CPAs, enrolled agents and tax professionals. Gain clear guidance on H.R. 1, compliance risks and real tax-saving strategies for your clients. Choose the location that works best for you. Click here to see the schedule and select your session.

2025-2026 Free CPE Webcasts for Members

Professional Issues Update

February 11 | February 26 (Replay from Feb 11) | May 6 | May 21 (Replay from May 6)

TXCPA Passport – CPE on Your Schedule

Constantly refreshed content with new courses and updates added regularly. Click here to see the current list and subscribe now.

View the complete schedule and register now in the Education area of our website at tx.cpa or call the TXCPA staff at 800-428-0272 for assistance.

Discover Your Next Big Opportunity - or Your Next Star Hire - at TXCPA’s Career Center!

Whether you're ready to take the next step in your accounting or finance career, or you're looking to bring top-tier talent into your organization, TXCPA’s Career Center is your go-to destination.

Job Seekers: Explore a wide range of openings, apply with ease and build your free Job Seeker Profile to get noticed by employers across Texas.

Employers: Post jobs at exclusive discounted rates - and internships are always free! Connect with qualified professionals who are ready to make an impact.

Getting started is easy. Click here and log in with your TXCPA credentials to unlock a world of possibilities.

Thanks to the Sponsors of Today's CPA Magazine

This content was made possible by the sponsors of this issue of Today's CPA Magazine:

Accounting Biz Brokers

Accounting Practice Sales

Capstan Tax

8amCPA Charge

Goodman Financial

 

 

March-April 2026

Flipbook

In This Issue

  • Large Language Models

    AI in Accounting 2026: From Practical Automation to Strategic Advantage

    AI in 2026 is integrated into accounting workflows, moving from simple assistance to agentic systems that automate document intake, data extraction, exception management and review-ready outputs. CPAs spend less time on manual tasks and more on judgment, oversight and communication. Organizations that adopt AI deliberately gain efficiency and quality while those with weak processes see their gaps exposed.
    View Article

  • CPE: AI-Powered Tax Compliance, Part 2

    Machine learning is becoming central to sales and use tax operations, improving taxability classification, reducing manual review and strengthening auditability through NLP, dual‑threshold controls and human‑in‑the‑loop review. Case studies show ML reducing false negatives, cutting coding hours and accelerating reconciliation with anomaly detection. With strong governance and expert oversight, ML enhances accuracy, efficiency and compliance while allowing tax professionals to focus on higher‑value advisory work.
    View Article
    LLMs
  • LLMs

    Beyond Compliance – The Ways CPAs and CMAs Can Embrace the AI-Powered Future

    AI is shifting accounting from routine compliance work to higher-value analysis and advisory roles. CPAs and CMAs can use GenAI to automate repetitive tasks, improve risk analysis and forecasting, and streamline onboarding and documentation with custom GPTs and low-code tools. To adopt AI responsibly, professionals must understand its limits, verify outputs and start small - improving one workflow at a time while maintaining strong judgment and ethical oversight.
    View Article

  • Leading Together in an Evolving Profession

    Rapid technological change, especially AI, is reshaping how CPAs serve clients and employers, and this issue of Today’s CPA focuses on helping members lead through that evolution. It features articles on AI in accounting, corporate governance and AI-powered tax compliance, along with statewide chapter updates and a preview of Accounting Opportunities Month. The message emphasizes engagement, lifelong learning and the shared responsibility to strengthen the profession and inspire future CPAs.
    View Article
    TXCPA Accounting Opportunities Month
  • Universal Proxy Card Rules

    Activism Amplified: How Universal Proxy Rules Are Reshaping Corporate Governance

    Universal proxy rules have shifted power dynamics in contested board elections, lowering barriers for activists and increasing pressure on boards to perform, communicate clearly and govern transparently. Companies that fail to proactively engage shareholders, maintain strong internal controls and align strategy with investor expectations face greater risk of disruptive and costly proxy contests - even if activists do not ultimately win board seats.
    View Article

  • Bridging the Skills Gap in ESG - How CPAs Can Prepare for a Growing Service Area

    As ESG reporting becomes mainstream, CPAs are increasingly expected to measure, report and assure nonfinancial data. This article outlines the key competencies needed for ESG roles. By building these capabilities now, CPAs can prepare for one of the fastest-growing areas of the profession.
    View Article
    Sustainability reporting
  • Texas Legislature

    Advocacy Never Stops

    TXCPA is continuing its advocacy momentum after the successful passage of SB 262 and SB 522 in 2025, which created a new CPA licensure pathway and modernized mobility. As rules for the bachelor’s pathway are finalized, TXCPA is actively engaged with TSBPA. The 2026 election is expected to bring major turnover Texas Legislature. The Society is preparing to educate new lawmakers and defend against deregulatory efforts that could weaken licensing standards.
    View Article

  • Momentum and Vision: Key Takeaways from the 2026 Midyear Leadership Council and Members Meeting

    TXCPA’s 2026 Midyear Leadership Council and Members Meeting brought members together in College Station for financial and governance updates, a discussion of proposed Bylaws changes, news on AcctoFi’s launch, and more. The meeting also showcased major advocacy achievements, technology upgrades, continued progress in strengthening the talent pipeline, and long‑term trends shaping the profession. The event closed with a dynamic advocacy panel and an invitation for members to stay involved ahead of the June 2026 Annual Meeting.
    View Article
    TXCPA Bylaws
  • TXCPA Accounting Opportunities Month

    Inspiring the Next Generation - Accounting Opportunities Months

    TXCPA’s Accounting Opportunities Months connect CPA volunteers with Texas students through career talks, financial literacy presentations and community outreach. Volunteers showcase accounting as a dynamic, impactful profession while helping students build essential money management skills and explore diverse career paths. TXCPA is aiming to expand the impact to students statewide, strengthening the future of the CPA profession through education, mentorship and community connection.
    View Article

  • Understanding the Stakeholder Model of Corporate Social Responsibility

    Corporate Social Responsibility continues to evolve amid political, regulatory and resource pressures, yet most business leaders still view it as essential to long-term success. Although balancing diverse stakeholder needs can be challenging, opportunities exist to measure impact, improve engagement and integrate ethical practices into decision-making. Understanding and prioritizing stakeholder expectations remain critical drivers of sustainable organizational growth.
    View Article
    State of Corporate Purpose Report

  • What’s Happening Around Texas

    Chapters across Texas have been actively engaging their communities through service, celebration and connection. Highlights include Austin’s support at the TSBPA Swearing-In Ceremony, Corpus Christi’s successful toy drive, Dallas’ holiday gatherings and service projects, Fort Worth’s large Santaccountant toy collection and scholarship fundraiser, and Houston’s lively Mix and Mingle social. Together, these activities highlight the statewide spirit of service, networking and support within TXCPA.
    View Article

  • Take Note

    In this edition of Take Note: TXCPA’s All New Mentor Match Program; Unlock New Opportunities with the CGMA® Designation; ACAN Delivers Confidential Support When You Need It Most; 2025-2026 AcctoFi Scholarship Recipients
    View Article
    Peer Assisatance

  • Classifieds

    The Classifieds section provides a centralized place to find practices for sale, buyers seeking to acquire firms and specialized services, helping members efficiently connect with opportunities to expand, sell or pursue niche markets.
    View Article

CHAIR
Mohan Kuruvilla, Ph.D., CPA

PRESIDENT/CEO
Jodi Ann Ray, CAE, CCE, IOM

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Melinda Bentley, CAE

EDITORIAL BOARD CHAIR
Jennifer Johnson, CPA

MANAGER, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Peggy Foley
pfoley@tx.cpa

MANAGING EDITOR
DeLynn Deakins
ddeakins@tx.cpa

COLUMN EDITOR
Don Carpenter, MSAcc/CPA

DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST
Wayne Hardin, CDMP, PCM®

CLASSIFIEDS
DeLynn Deakins

Texas Society of CPAs
14131 Midway Rd., Suite 850
Addison, TX 75001
972-687-8550
ddeakins@tx.cpa

 

Editorial Board
Derrick Bonyuet-Lee, CPA-Austin;
Aaron Borden, CPA-Dallas;
Don Carpenter, CPA-Central Texas;
Rhonda Fronk, CPA-Houston;
Aaron Harris, CPA-Dallas;
Baria Jaroudi, CPA-Houston;
Elle Kathryn Johnson, CPA-Houston;
Jennifer Johnson, CPA-Dallas;
Lucas LaChance, CPA-Dallas, CIA;
Nicholas Larson, CPA-Fort Worth;
Anne-Marie Lelkes, CPA-Corpus Christi;
Bryan Morgan, Jr, CPA-Austin;
Stephanie Morgan, CPA-East Texas;
Kamala Raghavan, CPA-Houston;
Amber Louise Rourke, CPA-Brazos Valley;
Shilpa Boggram Sathyamurthy, CPA-Houston, CA
Nikki Lee Shoemaker, CPA-East Texas, CGMA;
Natasha Winn, CPA-Houston.

CONTRIBUTORS
Melinda Bentley; Kenneth Besserman; Kristie Estrada; Holly McCauley; Craig Nauta; Kari Owen; John Ross; Lani Shepherd; April Twaddle; Patty Wyatt