July 01, 2021

A New Year of Opportunities

By Jason Freeman, JD, CPA-Dallas, TXCPA Chairman

In June, we eagerly began the new year at TXCPA! Each June marks a new year for TXCPA and for 2021-2022, we’re looking forward to the exciting opportunities to serve with and for you and your professional community.

TXCPA and our chapters remain focused on delivering outstanding value to our members and continuing to work on the commitments set in our strategic plan under our three pillars of success: community and connection, professional excellence and advocacy.

In 2021-2022, your TXCPA leadership is specifically working on the following priorities to build on our past accomplishments:

    •   Advance transparency and communication;

    •   Enhance state and chapter collaboration;

    •   Foster Diversity and Inclusion;

    •   Implement the TXCPA strategic plan;

    •   Engage next generation CPAs while engaging current generation CPAs;

    •   Educate stakeholders on the significance of professional licensing;

    •   Extend the brand to promote the profession;

    •   Expand digital learning opportunities.

I encourage you to join us as we concentrate our efforts on these areas. We’re always looking for new leaders and volunteers at TXCPA. Your active engagement – whether it’s through service in your chapter, involvement on a state-level committee, participating in one of our many learning programs, or a variety of other areas – can make an indelible impact on the future of our profession. With TXCPA, you’re able to work with and exchange ideas among smart, experienced and successful people.

We hope 2021-2022 will be a year in which our members learn, lead and grow in their careers and in their communities.

Share Your Thoughts

Do you have questions or feedback? Be sure to drop me a note at chairman@tx.cpa.

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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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    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.
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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