July-August 2024

Flipbook

In this issue:

July 01, 2024

2024-2025 TXCPA Chapter Officers

Abilene Chapter 

  • Nathan George, President
  • Jessica Ambrose, President-elect
  • Joseph Warrix, Vice President
  • Sharmon Daley, Secretary/Treasurer

Austin Chapter

  • Larry Stephens, President
  • Kara Hamann, President-elect
  • Stacey Mahajan, Vice President
  • Sarah Loghin, Vice President
  • Jason Lucio, Vice President
  • Jan Keeling, Secretary/Treasurer
  • Amanda (Mandy) Klein, Secretary/Treasurer-elect

Brazos Valley Chapter

  • Shelby Lesseig, President
  • TBD, President-elect
  • Jade Engel, Secretary
  • Verna Fritsche, Treasurer

Central Texas Chapter

  • Travis Skinner, President
  • Cheyenne Tanner, President-elect
  • Christine Wells, Vice President
  • Will Cummings, Secretary
  • Jessica Hopfenspirger, Treasurer

Corpus Christi Chapter

  • Ginger DeLatte, President
  • Priyanka Desai, President-elect 
  • Anita Cadena, Vice President     
  • Alyssa Monette, Secretary/Treasurer

Dallas Chapter

  • Donovan Miller, Chair
  • Isreal Miller, Chair-elect
  • Aaron Borden, Treasurer
  • Chris Hes, Treasurer-elect

East Texas Chapter

  • AJ Evans, President
  • Kevan Kirksey, President-elect
  • Mehgan Ibanez, Vice President
  • Ruben Rodriguez, Secretary/Treasurer

El Paso Chapter

  • Sarah Robertson, President
  • Dahlia Garcia, President-elect
  • Erika Abes, Vice President
  • Daniel Gomez, Vice President
  • April Samaniego, Vice President
  • Larissa Adame, Secretary
  • Myrna Ortiz, Treasurer

Fort Worth Chapter

  • Gary Tonniges, Jr, President
  • Kim Knox-Lewis, President-elect
  • Andy Hall, Vice President
  • Chris Lucas, Vice President
  • Josh Willson, Vice President
  • Katelyn Strittmatter, Secretary
  • Stephanie Buduhan, Treasurer
  • Jonathan Cameron, Treasurer-elect

Houston Chapter

  • Katherine R. Rodriguez, President
  • Bradley Elgin, President-elect
  • Sheryl Jimerson, Vice President
  • Rolando Garcia, Secretary
  • Kelly Higginbotham, Treasurer
  • Baria Jaroudi, Treasurer-elect

Panhandle Chapter

  • Kaleen Reyna, President
  • Salina McCormick, President-elect
  • Preston Branch, Vice President
  • Evan Brantley, Secretary
  • Brian Leitch, Treasurer

Permian Basin Chapter

  • John Michael Jaramillo, President
  • Meredith McKeehan, President-elect 
  • Mackenzie Craft, Vice President
  • Jennifer Smith, Secretary/Treasurer 

Rio Grande Valley Chapter

  • Maria Cecilia Garcia, President
  • Art Lopez, President-elect
  • Yamely Medina, Vice President
  • Abigail Murray, Secretary
  • Mariela Ruiz, Treasurer

San Angelo Chapter

  • Paige Vincent, President
  • Ryan Linebaugh, President-elect
  • Megan Solsbery, Secretary
  • Brianne Killam, Treasurer

San Antonio Chapter

  • Brandon Howard, President
  • Anette Flores, President-elect
  • Michael Spaniol, Vice President
  • Marina Polanco, Vice President
  • Nancy Ozuna, Vice President
  • Bryan Morgan, Secretary/Treasurer

South Plains Chapter

  • Will Sanders, President
  • Brandon Goen, President-elect
  • Andrew Blazier, Vice-President
  • Whitney Boyd, Secretary/Treasurer

Southeast Texas Chapter

  • Megan Gallien, President
  • Chip Majors, President-elect
  • Marylyn Byrd, Vice President
  • Jane Whitfield, Vice President
  • Christa Wofford, Secretary
  • Erik Angelle, Treasurer

Texarkana Chapter

  • Leslie Winton, President
  • Kelly Brzeski, President-elect
  • Jay Hoy, Vice President
  • Devona Harwood, Secretary/Treasurer

Victoria Chapter

  • Amber Bittlebrun, President
  • Hayden Schilling, President-elect
  • Jay Neukomm, President-elect Nominee
  • Tasha Langlinais, Secretary/Treasurer

Wichita Falls Chapter

  • Alex Pappas, President
  • Mikayla Schreiber, President-elect
  • Bradley Groves, Vice President
  • Vladimer “Lado” Jangjava, Secretary
  • Josh Whittiker, Treasurer

 

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 CPA Charge Goodman Financial PAS.Professional Accounting Sales Poe Group Advisors

 

 

July-August 2026

In This Issue

  • women in leadership

    Grounded in Faith, Guided by Purpose: The Journey of Angela Ragan

    TXCPA’s incoming Chair Angela Ragan has built a career rooted in faith, service and leadership. Inspired by an early interest in accounting, she now helps clients navigate complex tax, business and estate planning matters. Beyond her professional success, Ragan is deeply involved in TXCPA, community service and church leadership. Her story reflects a lifelong commitment to integrity, compassion and serving others.
    View Article

  • CPE: Cryptocurrency Tax Rules and Challenges Explained

    As cryptocurrency continues to become more integrated into everyday financial activity, tax compliance for digital assets remains a growing focus for practitioners. This article offers practical guidance on cryptocurrency taxation, emphasizing the importance of continuing education, monitoring regulatory developments, and maintaining records to support accurate and compliant tax reporting.
    View Article
    Tax Technology
  • Students

    What’s Happening Around Texas - July-August 2026

    TXCPA chapters across Texas hosted a variety of events. Highlights included the Brazos Valley Annual Meeting featuring career insights and advocacy updates, and outreach connecting accounting professionals with aspiring CPAs. Houston members celebrated VITA volunteers and strengthened community ties. TXCPA Panhandle raised scholarship funds through its first golf tournament, while South Plains members closed the year with a meeting focused on connections and member recognition.
    View Article

  • Texas Sales Tax Audits: Why Recordkeeping Determines Who Wins … and Who Pays Sales Tax

    Texas sales tax audits are becoming more data-driven, making accurate recordkeeping critical to avoiding costly assessments. When businesses lack complete documentation, auditors must estimate liability, often leading to inflated taxes, penalties and interest. Strong internal controls, organized records and experienced audit support are essential to achieving successful audit outcomes.
    View Article
    Texas Sales Tax
  • volunteer advocacy

    Celebrating a New TXCPA Year

    TXCPA's incoming Chair Angela Ragan welcomes the new year, highlighting members’ role in strengthening the profession through mentorship, innovation and engagement. Looking ahead, TXCPA will focus on navigating continued change, supporting members with education and advocacy, and protecting the value of the CPA license.
    View Article

  • What Private Equity and Family Offices Look for in Acquisition Targets

    Private equity firms and family offices prioritize acquisition targets with reliable cash flow, strong leadership and clear growth potential. Key factors include clean financials, a capable management team, and a defensible market position supported by loyal customers or exclusive relationships. Overall, businesses that prepare well in advance and strengthen these areas tend to achieve better outcomes in a sale or recapitalization.
    View Article
    succession planning
  • risk management

    Beyond the 5% Rule: Transforming Audit Materiality with Blockchain and Explainable AI

    Traditional materiality benchmarks like the 5% rule are no longer sufficient given modern risks such as ESG issues, financial volatility and cybersecurity. The Adaptive Materiality Framework allows auditors to reassess materiality dynamically when risk events occur. The framework improves consistency, transparency and audit quality while still relying on professional judgment.
    View Article

  • TXCPA Advocacy – A Preview of 2027

    Following key victories that expanded CPA licensure pathways and modernized practice mobility, TXCPA is preparing for the 2027 legislative session. We are monitoring potential deregulation efforts across the country that could weaken licensing standards and public protection. As we develop the 2027 legislative agenda, member involvement is key to help advocate for policies that support the profession’s long-term strength.
    View Article
    volunteer advocacy
  • Texas Sales Tax

    Take Note

    In this edition of Take Note: Leadership Nominations; Accountants Confidential Assistance Network (ACAN); TXCPA's Mentor Match Program; Word Game - Texas Sales Tax Audits; Accounting Excellence Award Recipients
    View Article

  • 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.
    View Article
    succession planning

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