July-August 2025

Flipbook

In this issue:

July 03, 2025

2025-2026 TXCPA Chapter Officers

TXCPA ABILENE

  • Jessica Ambrose, President
  • Joseph Warrix, President-elect
  • Sarah Speegle, Vice President
  • Sharmon Daley, Secretary/Treasurer

TXCPA AUSTIN

  • Jeremy Myers, President
  • Debra Watkins, President-elect
  • Mandy Klein, Treasurer
  • Julie Sigety, Treasurer-elect
  • Stacey Mahajan, VP-Member Services
  • Tony Ross, VP-Community Involvement
  • Derrick Bonyuet, VP-Education and Leadership

TXCPA BRAZOS VALLEY

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

TXCPA CENTRAL TEXAS

  • Cheyenne Tanner, President
  • TBD, President-elect
  • Jessica Hopfenspirger, Vice President
  • Will Cummings, Treasurer
  • TBD, Secretary

TXCPA CORPUS CHRISTI

  • Priyanka Desai, President
  • Alyssa Monette, President-elect
  • Anita Cadena, Vice President
  • Adam Miller, Secretary/Treasurer

TXCPA DALLAS

  • Isreal Miller, President
  • Aaron Borden, President-elect
  • Taylor Caton, Treasurer-elect

TXCPA EAST TEXAS

  • Kevan Kirksey, President
  • Mehgan Ibanez, President-elect
  • Ruben Rodriguez, Vice President
  • Rebecca Van Nattan, Secretary/Treasurer

TXCPA EL PASO

  • Dahlia Garcia, President
  • Terri Rutter, President-elect
  • Brandon Arellano, Vice President
  • Daniel Gomez, Vice President
  • April Samaniego, Vice President
  • Myrna Ortiz, Treasurer
  • Larissa Adame, Secretary

TXCPA FORT WORTH

  • Kim Knox-Lewis, President
  • Josh Willson, President-elect
  • Katelyn Strittmatter, Treasurer-elect
  • Chris Lucas, Secretary
  • Stephanie Buduhan, Vice President
  • Rachel Glasser, Vice President
  • Lindsey Kennimer, Vice President

TXCPA HOUSTON

  • Brad Elgin, President
  • Sheryl Jimerson, President-elect
  • Kelly Higginbotham, Vice President
  • Rachel Gleicher, Treasurer-elect
  • Gail Neely, Secretary

TXCPA PANHANDLE

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

TXCPA PERMIAN BASIN

  • Meredith McKeehan, President
  • Mackenzie Craft, President-elect
  • Jennifer Smith, Vice President
  • Lashawn Bearden, Secretary/Treasurer

TXCPA RIO GRANDE VALLEY

  • Art Lopez, President
  • Yamely Medina, President-elect
  • Lucinda Alejo, Vice President
  • Abby Murray, Secretary
  • Mariela Ruiz, Treasurer

TXCPA SAN ANGELO

  • Ryan Linebaugh, President
  • Kaity Herrod, President-elect
  • Megan Solsbery, Secretary
  • Torrie Hallmark, Treasurer

TXCPA SAN ANTONIO

  • Anette Flores, President
  • Bryan Morgan, President-elect
  • Sylvester “Sly” Johnson, Secretary/Treasurer
  • Julie Zamora, Vice President
  • Marina Polanco, Vice President
  • Nancy Ozuna, Vice President

TXCPA SOUTH PLAINS

  • Brandon Goen, President
  • Andrew Blazier, President-elect
  • Kristen Bigbee, First Vice President
  • Blake Thomas, Treasurer

TXCPA SOUTHEAST TEXAS

  • Chip Majors, President
  • Christa Wofford, President-elect
  • Jane Whitfield, Vice President - CPE
  • Chris Lanier, Secretary/Treasurer
  • Erik Angelle, Treasurer

TXCPA TEXARKANA

  • Kelly Brzeski, President
  • TBD, President-elect
  • TBD, Vice President
  • TBD, Secretary/Treasurer

TXCPA VICTORIA

  • Hayden Schilling, President
  • Jay Neukomm, President-elect
  • Andrew Merryman, President-elect Nominee
  • Heather Grantham, Secretary/Treasurer

TXCPA WICHITA FALLS

  • Mikayla Schreiber, President
  • Brad Groves, President-elect
  • Vladimer “Lado” Janjgava, Vice President
  • Josh Whittiker, Secretary
  • Jaymie Cullar, 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

Mango

Paychex

Poe Group Advisors

SafeSend

TaxDome

 

 

July-August 2025

Flipbook

In This Issue

  • Meet TXCPA’s 2025-2026 Chair Billy Kelley

    Billy Kelley, CPA and managing partner at Dutton, Harris & Co, is the 2025-2026 Chair of TXCPA. With a background in public accounting, industry and entrepreneurship, he is passionate about leadership, mentorship and strengthening the CPA pipeline.
    View Article

  • CPE: What to Know About Profits Interest

    Profits interest is a form of partnership ownership that offers recipients a share of future profits without a capital contribution. While offering strategic advantages, profits-interest contracts involve complex tax and accounting considerations and remain subject to potential regulatory changes.
    View Article

  • What’s Happening Around Texas - July-August 2025

    Members in Austin held a happy hour to wrap up tax season and Houston members volunteered at the Botanic Gardens. Permian Basin members teamed up with UTPB students for a city cleanup. Southeast Texas gathered for a Spring Meeting and Victoria enjoyed a festive Member Appreciation Event.
    View Article

  • 2025-2026 TXCPA Chapter Officers

    Introducing TXCPA’s 2025-2026 chapter leaders – a dynamic group of professionals ready to elevate the accounting profession. With passion, purpose and a bold vision, they’ll guide our chapters forward and help shape the future of TXCPA across the state.
    View Article

  • Optimizing Auditor Precision: Addressing Biases in Large Language Model Technologies

    Large Language Models (LLMs) are transforming accounting and auditing by improving efficiency, uncovering financial trends and analyzing unstructured data, but using them also introduces risks, especially biases from training data and algorithms. Professionals are encouraged to stay educated on AI trends to use LLMs effectively.
    View Article

  • Meet the Chair

    In his first message as TXCPA Chair, Billy Kelley discusses his passion for TXCPA and goals for the year. He also reflects on the recent Annual Meeting in Galveston and encourages member engagement.
    View Article

  • TXCPA’s Successes and Key Issues from the 89th Texas Legislative Session

    TXCPA had a highly successful 89th Legislative Session, securing two major wins. Senate Bill 262 creates an additional pathway to CPA licensure and Senate Bill 522 modernizes CPA practice mobility. These achievements strengthen the CPA pipeline and protect the public.
    View Article

  • How ESG Can Create Value for Your Business

    The SEC has introduced climate-related disclosure rules to improve transparency for investors, sparking both support and criticism. This article highlights how businesses can view Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) not just as a compliance issue but as a value-creating strategy.
    View Article

  • Increasing Your Marketing Prowess: How CPAs Can Market with Confidence

    This article discusses common misconceptions that CPAs have about marketing and how even the most successful innovators have marketed their ideas effectively. It offers practical tips for CPAs to market themselves authentically by focusing on excellent client service, continuously improving their skills and committing to execution.
    View Article

  • Take Note

    In this edition of Take Note: Accounting Opportunities Month; TXCPA Leadership Nominations; Accountants Confidential Assistance Network (ACAN); CGMA® Designation for Management Accountants; TXCPA’s 2025 CPE Programs; Accounting Excellence Awards Presented
    View Article

  • Classifieds

    The classified ad section features listings for practice sales, firm buyers and specialized services. Whether you're expanding, selling or exploring niche opportunities, these ads connect you to valuable prospects and resources.
    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