July 13, 2026
Grounded in Faith, Guided by Purpose: The Journey of Angela Ragan
In every profession, there are leaders whose careers reflect not only technical excellence but a deeper sense of calling. Angela Ragan – TXCPA's incoming Chair for the 2026–2027 year – is one of those rare individuals whose journey blends faith, purpose and a steadfast commitment to serving others. From her beginnings in a small East Texas town to her role as a shareholder at JRBT, PC in Waco, her story is shaped by perseverance, humility and a passion for guiding people through life’s most important financial decisions.
What follows is a closer look at the experiences, values and defining moments that have shaped her – a portrait of a professional whose life remains, in every sense, grounded and balanced.
A Spark in a Small-Town Classroom
For Angela Ragan, CPA-Central Texas, the path to accounting began before she ever imagined a career in the profession. As a high school freshman in Karnack, a small East Texas town near the Louisiana border, she stepped into her first accounting class and discovered something that immediately captivated her: the balance sheet.
The idea that “everything had to balance” was fascinating – and it felt like a puzzle she was meant to solve. Financial literacy was new territory, but the structure and logic of accounting resonated deeply.
Ironically, accounting wasn’t part of her original plan. Angela intended to become a pediatrician and saw accounting as a practical skill needed for managing the financial statement of a future medical practice. But while preparing for medical school at Baylor University, she sensed her path was shifting. After prayerful reflection, she realized medicine wasn’t the career for her. Accounting was instead.
From Baylor to the Big Four – and Back to Central Texas
Angela graduated from Baylor University in 2003 with a degree in accounting and launched her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Houston. The experience gave her a strong foundation in complex financial work at one of the nation’s largest firms.
In 2005, she returned to Central Texas to join JRBT, PC in Waco, a move that would define the next chapter of her professional life. Today, she is a shareholder at the firm, focusing on sophisticated compliance and planning for individuals, partnerships, corporations and trusts. Her expertise spans financial institutions, insurance companies, and oil and gas entities. For Angela, accounting has never been just about technical mastery. It’s about people.
A Calling to Serve Clients Through Life’s Most Important Moments
Angela thrives on helping clients navigate some of life’s most important and complex decisions, whether it involves tax planning, business succession, trust matters or strategies for multi-generational family businesses. While the technical side of the work is important, she especially values the personal side, the conversations that help clients better understand complicated issues and feel confident about the path ahead.
“I enjoy sitting down with clients to work through challenges that often extend far beyond tax compliance,” she said. One day, the discussion may focus on preparing the next generation to take over a family business. Another may involve helping a client structure a trust or evaluate a significant business opportunity. For Angela, “The most rewarding part is translating difficult concepts into practical guidance clients can trust and act on with confidence.”
Over time, those conversations often evolve into long-standing relationships. Clients come to rely on her not only for technical expertise, but also for perspective during pivotal moments in their personal and professional lives. As a trusted advisor, she is frequently the first call clients make when facing a major decision – whether expanding a business, planning for the future of their company, or celebrating milestones like welcoming children or grandchildren into the family. “Being part of those moments and helping clients navigate what comes next is one of the aspects of my work I find most meaningful,” she said.
Roots That Shaped a Leader
Growing up as the youngest of six children, Angela was raised in a family where faith, hard work and education were deeply valued. With all five of her older siblings attending college before her, she grew up knowing higher education was not only possible, but a priority. Their example gave her something to strive toward and reinforced the belief that with determination and support, she could achieve her own goals.
Attending Baylor University was a dream she worked hard to reach. Coming from the small town of Karnack, where few students left to attend a university like Baylor, the opportunity felt both exciting and humbling.
The experience expanded her perspective in ways she never could have imagined growing up, exposing her to new opportunities and possibilities while also challenging her to prove to herself that she belonged there. She knew getting accepted was only the beginning – succeeding there would require the same perseverance and work ethic she had learned growing up.
At the same time, Baylor reinforced the values that had always grounded her. Her parents taught her to trust God first, lean on family and remember where she came from. The support of her parents and siblings gave her the confidence to pursue opportunities that once seemed out of reach and helped carry her through the challenges of college life. Those lessons continue to shape how she leads, serves clients and gives back to her community today.
Angela believes a strong foundation is essential to long-term success. She said, “The principles I learned at home – treating people well, working hard and staying humble – remain at the center.” For her, education expanded her world, but it was the foundation built by faith and family that made those opportunities meaningful.
A Heart for Service – Professionally and Personally
Angela’s dedication extends far beyond her firm and client work. She has been an active volunteer within TXCPA for many years, contributing her time and leadership at both the state and local levels to help strengthen the profession and support future generations of CPAs.
Her commitment to service is equally evident throughout the Waco community, where she has invested significant time in organizations focused on helping others and creating meaningful opportunities for growth. She is a past president of Caritas of Waco and Compassion Ministries, two organizations deeply rooted in serving vulnerable populations and providing support to individuals and families in need.
In addition, she mentors students through the Greater Waco Chamber’s LEAD program, helping young people develop leadership skills and gain confidence as they prepare for future careers.
Her faith also remains an important part of her life and service. At Victorious Life Church, she serves as both a worship leader and board treasurer, combining her passion for ministry with her professional expertise in stewardship and leadership.
Seeing Accounting Through a Wider Lens
Angela is passionate about helping students and young professionals understand the true breadth and impact of the accounting profession. Too often, she says: “Students view accounting as limited to taxes, spreadsheets and compliance work, without realizing how many opportunities the profession can create. In reality, accounting can open doors to leadership, entrepreneurship, consulting, finance, nonprofit work and countless other career paths.”
She encourages students to think beyond the traditional image of an accountant and instead see the profession as a gateway to a wide range of possibilities. Accountants are often trusted advisors sitting at the table where important business and financial decisions are made, bringing insight, strategy and integrity to those conversations.
For students who are passionate about giving back, the profession also provides meaningful opportunities to serve communities and nonprofit organizations while building a rewarding career.
She hopes students recognize that accounting is far more dynamic and impactful than they may initially imagine. To her, choosing accounting is not about committing to a single narrow path; it is about stepping into a profession that can lead in countless directions, many of which students may not even realize exist yet.
Angela believes one of the profession’s greatest strengths is its combination of flexibility, stability and long-term relevance. The COVID-19 pandemic reinforced that reality as accountants worked tirelessly to help individuals, families and businesses navigate uncertainty and rapidly changing financial conditions. In many ways, the profession became even more essential during that time, demonstrating the critical role accountants play not only for their clients, but also for communities and the broader economy.
Just as meaningful to Angela is the appreciation she receives from clients whose lives and businesses have been positively impacted by the guidance and support she and her firm provide.
A Life in Balance
Outside of work, Angela is intentional about nurturing the relationships, activities and rhythms that bring her joy and relaxation. A meaningful part of her life is serving in ministry alongside her husband on their church’s worship team. They met nearly 24 years ago through Baylor’s Heavenly Voices Gospel Choir, when he was a guest vocal instructor and she was a student. What began as a shared love of music has grown into a lifelong partnership rooted in faith, worship and service.
Music remains a central part of her life and she continues to sing on Sunday mornings with the worship team while her husband serves as worship pastor at their church. Beyond music, Angela also enjoys spending time with family and mentoring others in the community. She finds deep fulfillment in local nonprofit involvement and volunteering, viewing it as both a privilege and a responsibility to give back, especially because others once invested in her.
Family time is especially important and each year, they plan a major family vacation together. The process is collaborative, with the family choosing the destination and making it a priority to create lasting memories. This year’s trip is to the Bahamas.
When she is on vacation, Angela is fully present with her family and intentionally steps away from work – no emails, no calls – so she can be fully engaged in the experience. She is intentional about communicating that boundary, knowing that when it is time to work, she works hard, and when it is time to be with family, she is fully with them.
Even in her downtime, Angela finds simple ways to unwind and reset, including watching television shows in their original languages with subtitles, which she says helps quiet her mind and offers a window into other cultures. Across all these activities, her approach remains consistent: to be fully present wherever she is, whether in service, in work or with family, and to make each moment count.
A Legacy of Faith, Integrity and Service
When Angela reflects on the legacy she hopes to leave, she is not focused on titles or accolades, but on the impact she’s had on people. She wants her life to reflect faith, integrity, compassion and service, and for others to feel valued and supported. At the heart of her legacy is the desire to care deeply for people and to use her abilities to make a meaningful, positive difference in their lives.
She also aspires to be a source of encouragement within the accounting profession, especially during demanding seasons when stress and pressure can overshadow purpose. In those moments, she hopes to bring perspective, reminding others of the meaning behind the work and the importance of leading with hope.
For Angela Ragan, the work is about excellence, yes – but even more, it’s about caring for the people she serves. In that sense, her life and career remain perfectly, beautifully balanced.
At a Glance – Angela Ragan, CPA-Central Texas Hometown: Karnack, Texas Education: Baylor University, BBA in Accounting Current Role: Shareholder, JRBT, PC, Waco Areas of Accounting Practice:
TXCPA Leadership:
Community Involvement:
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