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

 

 

May-June 2026

Flipbook

In This Issue

  • TXCPA Strategic Plan

    Building What’s Next: TXCPA’s 2025-26 Year in Review

    TXCPA’s 2025–26 Year in Review highlights how the organization is responding to rapid change in the accounting profession through a clear strategic vision focused on people, innovation and advocacy. Key efforts include new programs, enhanced CPE and learning through AcctoFi, and technology and chapter integration initiatives. The year also marked major legislative wins, positioning Texas as a national leader.
    View Article

  • CPE: Option-Based Contracts and Foreign Currency Transactions

    This article covers option-based contracts in foreign currency transactions and their treatment as derivatives under ASC 815. It highlights how options differ from forwards and futures, outlines call and put options and their accounting implications, defines key derivative terminology, and illustrates how FX options can hedge one-sided currency risk while preserving upside potential.
    View Article
    Underlyings
  • volunteer leadership

    Celebrating Progress. Shaping What’s Next.

    This issue of Today’s CPA reflects on TXCPA’s achievements during the 2025–2026 membership year while looking ahead to the future. It highlights advocacy successes, profession updates, expanded education offerings, technology investments, and strong member and volunteer engagement. As the year closes, members are encouraged to stay engaged and help shape what’s next.
    View Article

  • CARB vs. No-CARB – The California Climate Accountability Package

    California’s Climate Accountability Package significantly expands corporate climate disclosure requirements, mandating detailed greenhouse gas emissions reporting and climate‑risk analysis for companies doing business in the state. Ongoing legal challenges remain, but enforcement timelines are intact, placing growing responsibility on companies and CPAs to manage data quality, Scope 3 estimates and audit‑ready disclosures.
    View Article
    Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions
  • Pro Bono Services

    Justice for Fraud Victims Project: Bridging the Justice Gap in Financial Fraud

    The Justice for Fraud Victims Project (JFVP) is a national program that delivers free forensic accounting and fraud investigation services to vulnerable individuals, small businesses and nonprofits. With partnerships among universities, anti-fraud professionals and law enforcement, they help uncover financial crimes and educate future forensic accountants. The model is expanding, including a new program at Lubbock Christian University.
    View Article

  • A Refresher on Auditor Independence: Best Practices Every CPA Should Know

    Auditor independence is essential to maintaining trust in the accounting profession, requiring both objectivity and the appearance of impartiality. Common threats - such as self-interest, self-review and familiarity - continue to lead to violations. Strong firm policies, ongoing training and effective use of technology are key to preventing these issues.
    View Article
    Quality Control Systems
  • Xero

    After QuickBooks Desktop: What CPAs Need to Know Now

    This article outlines the key implications of QuickBooks Desktop's phased discontinuation, including service discontinuation risks, operational failures, backup and archival strategies, migration challenges, and alternative accounting platforms. It also provides guidance for CPAs to take a proactive approach to managing and executing client migrations.
    View Article

  • Are Municipal Bond Investors Sitting on a Ticking Tax Bomb?

    Tax‑exempt municipal bonds purchased at deep discounts can quietly trigger ordinary income taxation under the IRS de minimis rule, eroding after‑tax returns and creating surprise tax bills at maturity. By comparing after‑tax “true yield” and proactively swapping discounted bonds for higher‑coupon alternatives, CPAs and financial advisors can help clients defuse a hidden tax bomb and improve portfolio outcomes.
    View Article
    Tax‑Exempt Securities
  • Quantum Computing

    Risks, Realities and the Evolving Role of CPAs Auditing Emerging Technologies

    Emerging technologies are reshaping auditing by embedding automation, advanced analytics and decentralized systems into core business processes. While these tools improve efficiency and insight, they introduce new risks that challenge traditional audit approaches. CPAs must adapt methods, rely more heavily on professional judgment, and uphold independence and integrity to sustain trust in financial reporting.
    View Article

  • What’s Happening Around Texas - May-June 2026

    TXCPA chapters across Texas are making an impact through service, networking and professional development. Recent highlights include volunteer and scholarship efforts in Austin, community engagement and member meetups in Dallas, student outreach and advocacy in East Texas, and career-focused events in Houston that strengthen connections within the accounting community.
    View Article
    volunteer advocacy
  • volunteer leadership

    Advocacy Update – Elections and the 2027 Legislative Session are Right Around the Corner

    TXCPA is preparing for the 2027 Texas legislative session as the 2026 elections shape the political and policy landscape. Key focuses include monitoring election outcomes, emerging legislative issues and national deregulation efforts that could impact CPA licensure and practice, while encouraging continued member engagement and advocacy.
    View Article

  • Why Positioning Matters More Than Ever for CAS Firms

    Client advisory services deliver the most value when firms clearly define who they serve and which problems they solve. Clear positioning enables standardized workflows, repeatable service offerings and more predictable growth.
    View Article
    Service differentiation
  • Word Challenge

    Take Note

    In this edition of Take Note: Renew Your TXCPA Membership; Accountants Confidential Assistance Network (ACAN); 2026 CPE Programs; Word Game - Positioning That Powers Growth
    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

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