January-February 2026

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

September-October 2026

In This Issue

Workforce Development

Mentoring Matters: Strengthening the Future of the Profession

Mentoring is a cornerstone of the accounting profession. From supporting students and CPA candidates to accelerating the growth of experienced professionals, mentoring strengthens confidence, preserves institutional knowledge and prepares future leaders. TXCPA's Mentor Match program is designed to help members build meaningful professional relationships that support their career growth and development.
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CPE: Intangible Assets – ASC 350

FASB’s recent targeted GAAP improvements address the accounting and reporting of internally developed software. ASU 2025‑06 replaces development‑stage rules for internal‑use software with a “probable‑to‑complete” capitalization threshold.
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IPR&D
volunteer leadership

Leadership, Innovation and Momentum Take Center Stage at TXCPA's Annual Meeting

TXCPA’s 2026 Annual Meeting brought more than 200 leaders together to celebrate organizational achievements, discuss emerging trends and shape the future of the organization. As the organization enters the final year of its Strategic Plan, the meeting emphasized momentum, collaboration and continued involvement in TXCPA and the accounting profession.
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Expanding the CPA Pipeline: An Important Joint Initiative for CPA Firms and K-12 Schools

CPA firms, universities and professional organizations are using coordinated efforts to expand the future CPA talent pipeline by reaching students much earlier in the K‑12 system. Because many students choose career pathways as early as 8th grade, the authors emphasize shifting outreach toward freshmen and sophomores already inclined toward business studies.
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TXCPA Accounting Opportunities Month
Workforce Development

Mentorship, Momentum and the Future of the Profession

Strong connections are essential to the future of the CPA profession. This CEO's Message highlights the power of mentorship, TXCPA’s efforts to strengthen the accounting pipeline, and the many ways members, volunteers and chapters are helping build opportunities for the next generation of CPAs.
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Outstanding Chapter Awards Recognize Achievements in Leadership and Service

TXCPA’s Outstanding Chapter Awards recognize small and medium-sized chapters for excellence in leadership, member service, innovation and community involvement. The 2025-26 recipients, TXCPA Rio Grande Valley and TXCPA East Texas, were honored for their strong student outreach initiatives, professional development opportunities, scholarship fundraising, member engagement and community service.
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volunteer leadership
Workforce Development

Beyond Tax and Audit: Shedding Light on Alternative Career Pathways

Accounting offers far more career opportunities than traditional tax, audit and financial reporting roles. By introducing students to the diverse ways accounting skills can be applied, educators and practitioners can help the next generation of CPAs see the many possibilities an accounting career can offer.
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What’s Happening Around Texas - September-October 2026

TXCPA chapters across Texas are strengthening connections through student engagement events, legislative conversations, member appreciation gatherings, and strategic planning sessions. From Corpus Christi’s student bowling mixer and to Southeast Texas’ celebration with Lamar University to El Paso's and San Antonio’s focused planning meetings and Victoria’s community‑building event, each chapter is fostering momentum, collaboration and professional growth.
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TXCPA Chapters
Tenure

Is Accounting Academia Still a Good Career Option for CPAs? An Updated Perspective

Is accounting academia still an attractive career path for CPAs? Although demand for accounting Ph.D. graduates has declined despite earlier predictions of faculty shortages, accounting professors continue to enjoy strong compensation, work/life balance, tenure stability and summer flexibility.
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Spotlight Article: Leading Beyond the Numbers

Eric R. Alexander discusses the lessons behind his book “Stewardship Leadership for Stinkin' Accountants: Serving as the CFO” and how a servant mindset, wisdom and relationships create a lasting impact. He explores why trust, accountability and communication are essential to effective financial leadership, especially as AI transforms the profession.
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Strategic Planning
Sustainability reporting

Assessing Materiality of ESG Risks: Guidance for CPAs

This article explains how CPAs can assess and disclose material environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks that may affect a company’s financial position, operations and stakeholders. The concept of double materiality is introduced, which considers both the financial impact of ESG risks on a company and the company’s impact on society and the environment.
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PCC Addresses Priority Private Company Issues in Q2

This update summarizes the Private Company Council (PCC) activities for the second quarter of 2026. During its June meeting, the council prioritized improving financial disclosures for Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and targeted lease accounting simplifications for private companies, and discussed FASB's decision to add a project on subjective acceleration clauses and debt default disclosures.
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Private Company Council
volunteer leadership

Leading the Way: TXCPA Thanks Our 2026-2027 Faculty and Student Ambassadors

TXCPA celebrates and thanks our 2026–2027 Faculty and Student Ambassadors, whose leadership and enthusiasm bring our programs, resources and opportunities directly to campuses across Texas. Their commitment strengthens our connection to future professionals and fuels the growth of the CPA pipeline statewide.
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Profitable Is Not the Same as Valuable

A profitable business is not necessarily a valuable or transferable one, as enterprise value depends on organizational architecture rather than dependence on the owner’s involvement. The central message: profitable operations generate income, but only well‑structured businesses build equity that can be sold, transferred or relied upon for retirement.
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valuation
Workforce Development

A New Era for CPA Licensure in Texas – and a Look Ahead

Texas has entered a new phase of CPA licensure with the implementation of Senate Bill 262 on August 1, 2026, creating an alternative pathway that allows candidates to qualify with 120 hours of education and two years of experience, alongside the traditional 150‑hour route. As the 2027 legislative session approaches, TXCPA is preparing to protect strong licensing standards, monitor deregulation efforts and engage newly elected lawmakers.
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Take Note

In this edition of Take Note: A Legacy of Mentorship - A Tribute to John Baines, CPA-Dallas; Accountants Confidential Assistance Network (ACAN); CGMA® Designation; TXCPA Member Insurance
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TXCPA Member Insurance
Virtual Accounting

Classifieds

The Classifieds section of Today's CPA provides a one-stop destination to find practices for sale, connect with buyers, and access services that support growth, transition and market expansion.
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