July-August 2024

Flipbook

In this issue:

July 01, 2024

Take Note

TXCPA Connects With 2,800+ Students During Accounting Opportunities Month and Nearly 12,000 Students in 2023-2024

During April’s Accounting Opportunities Month, we surpassed our goal of reaching 1,500 students! We thank the 101 members who volunteered for 31 career engagements – which included presentations, career fairs, panels and student facing events – and reached 2,866 students of all ages! These visits helped us get closer to our goal of reaching 12,000 students in 2023-2024.

Volunteers are needed for classroom visits year-round. If you're interested in sharing your career journey with aspiring CPAs, please click here to submit an online volunteer interest form.

Don’t Miss Listing Your Organization in TXCPA’s New Employer Guide!

TXCPA’s Employer Guide is a valuable recruitment tool to help you attract quality, top-tier employees for your organization. You can stand out from the crowd by sharing your organization’s benefits and accolades with future CPAs throughout Texas.

The deadline to purchase an Employer Guide listing for the 2024-2025 guide is July 31, 2024. Click here to learn more and purchase your listing.

Unlock Top Talent and Career Opportunities with TXCPA’s Career Center!

Need to hire talent or find a new job opportunity? Check out TXCPA’s Career Center! With a focus on accounting and finance job openings, it’s the perfect resource for employers and job seekers alike. Members enjoy deep discounts on job postings and internships are always free!

Job seekers can browse postings, apply online and post a Job Seeker Profile for free. Simply log in with your TXCPA credentials to get started.

For the best in hiring and career opportunities, visit TXCPA’s Career Center today!

Find Your Zen: Top Meditation Apps to Stay Centered

Meditation is a great way to refocus and center yourself, but when life is hectic and distracting, it can be difficult to master. Here are a few apps that can help make meditation easier and more intuitive:

Calm – www.calm.com

Headspace – www.headspace.com

Ten Percent Happier – www.tenpercent.com

BetterSleep – www.bettersleep.com

Mindful – www.mindful.org

If you’re struggling with addiction, substance abuse or mental health issues, TXCPA Peer Assistance is here to help. Join a weekly support group, send a confidential message and find more resources at tx.cpa/resources/acan.

TXCPA is Now Accepting 2025-2026 Leadership Nominations

The nominations process for TXCPA’s 2025-26 leadership is now open! Your input for key leadership positions is vital to our organization’s success and future. We are currently accepting nominations for the following roles: Chair-elect; Treasurer-elect; Secretary; Board of Directors; Leadership Council Members-at-Large; Nominations and Board Development Committee Members-at-Large; Nominations Council Members-at-Large; and AICPA Council.

The deadline for nominations is September 2. For complete details on the TXCPA leadership nominations process, including links to submit a nomination and an overview of the process, please visit our website.

TXCPA Recognizes 2023-2024 Award Recipients

TXCPA congratulates our 2023-2024 award recipients. The members include:

Meritorious Service to the Accounting Profession: Kathy Kapka, CPA, CGMA - East Texas

Distinguished Public Service: John Baines, CPA - Dallas

Distinguished Fellow: Bill Moss, CPA - Dallas

Distinguished Fellow: Bill Sims, CPA - Dallas

Young CPA of the Year: Dahlia Garcia, CPA - El Paso

Honorary Member: Meg Campbell - Dallas

Outstanding Committee Chair: David Colmenero, J.D., LL.M., CPA - Dallas

B&I Award: Tom Seale, CPA - East Texas

Rising Stars: Lauren Albrecht, CPA - Corpus Christi; Candy Arroyo, CPA - Permian Basin; Katie Brown, CPA, CFF - Fort Worth; Jennifer Cadena, CPA - San Antonio; Andres Chavez, CPA - Abilene; Monica Corey, CPA - Permian Basin; Austin Fleet, CPA - East Texas; Evan Green, CPA - Permian Basin; D’Andra Isabel, CPA - Houston; Ashlei Lewis, CPA - San Angelo; Luis Lopez, CPA, CFE - Rio Grande Valley; Kyle Noack, CPA, CFP - Victoria; Jordan Payne, CPA - Houston; Andrew Peterson, CPA - Dallas; Alan Pruitt, CPA - Houston; Elsa Selleck, CPA - East Texas; Paige Smith, CPA - San Angelo; Jaimie Yang, CPA, CIA, CISA - Dallas

 

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