July-August 2025

In This Issue
- Meet TXCPA’s 2025-2026 Chair Billy Kelley
- CPE: What to Know About Profits Interest
- What’s Happening Around Texas - July-August 2025
- 2025-2026 TXCPA Chapter Officers
- Optimizing Auditor Precision: Addressing Biases in Large Language Model Technologies
- Meet the Chair
- TXCPA’s Successes and Key Issues from the 89th Texas Legislative Session
- How ESG Can Create Value for Your Business
- Increasing Your Marketing Prowess: How CPAs Can Market with Confidence
- Take Note
- Classifieds
-
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 PresentedView 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