March-April 2026

In this issue:

March 05, 2026

Take Note

All New: TXCPA’s Mentor Match Program

Big career moments often start with simple conversations – asking a question, sharing an experience or gaining a new perspective. TXCPA’s new Mentor Match program is built to spark those connections.

Designed for student and candidate members (mentees), the program is flexible, relationshipfocused and built to support learning, not job placement. Mentees gain perspective on exams and early career choices, while mentors have a simple, impactful way to give back and learn from the next generation.

Why get involved?

Offer perspective at pivotal moments.
Support and strengthen the CPA pipeline.
Build meaningful, mutually beneficial connections.

Visit Mentor Match in TXCPA Exchange in the Communities section of TXCPA’s website to enroll as a mentor or find your match. One conversation can make all the difference.

TXCPA Member Insurance Program: Smart Protection, Exclusive Benefits

As a TXCPA member, you have access to top-tier insurance plans designed to protect your family, career and peace of mind. With trusted providers and member-only rates, these benefits are tailored to fit your professional lifestyle.

Smart coverage. Exclusive pricing. Real peace of mind. Explore your TXCPA insurance options today and take a confident step toward protecting your future. For more information, go to https://txcpainsure.org/.

Unlock New Opportunities with the CGMA® Designation

Looking to take your career to the next level? The Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA®) designation – developed by AICPA and CIMA – is a globally respected credential for management accountants. It signals that you bring more than technical skills to the table.

Why the CGMA® matters:

Global credibility recognized by employers worldwide.
Strong focus on strategy, performance and decision-making.
Emphasis on leadership, ethics and professional standards.
Demonstrates you understand both the numbers and the story behind them.

To learn how the CGMA® designation can elevate your career, visit the CGMA website.

ACAN Delivers Confidential Support When You Need It Most

Accounting can be a deeply rewarding profession, but long hours, deadlines and high expectations can take a toll. When work or life feels overwhelming, the Accountants Confidential Assistance Network (ACAN) is here to help.

ACAN is a confidential, peer-to-peer support program for CPAs, CPA candidates and accounting students. Program highlights include:

Free and protected by Texas law.
Available anytime by call or text.
One-on-one peer support.
Referrals and interventions.
Weekly Zoom group meetings.
Austin meets Fridays at 12 p.m., Dallas meets Mondays at 6:15 p.m., and the Women’s Group meets on the first and third Tuesdays at 12 p.m.

If you or someone you know could benefit from a confidential, understanding conversation, reach out anytime at 866-766-ACAN or 214-5662854, or visit tx.cpa/community/peer-assistance.

2025-2026 AcctoFi Scholarship Recipients

Click here to see the 2025-2026 scholarship recipients.

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

Capstan Tax

Goodman Financial

Poe Group Advisors

Professional Accounting Sales

September-October 2026

In This Issue

Workforce Development

Mentoring Matters: Strengthening the Future of the Profession

Mentoring is a cornerstone of the accounting profession. From supporting students and CPA candidates to accelerating the growth of experienced professionals, mentoring strengthens confidence, preserves institutional knowledge and prepares future leaders. TXCPA's Mentor Match program is designed to help members build meaningful professional relationships that support their career growth and development.
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CPE: Intangible Assets – ASC 350

FASB’s recent targeted GAAP improvements address the accounting and reporting of internally developed software. ASU 2025‑06 replaces development‑stage rules for internal‑use software with a “probable‑to‑complete” capitalization threshold.
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IPR&D
volunteer leadership

Leadership, Innovation and Momentum Take Center Stage at TXCPA's Annual Meeting

TXCPA’s 2026 Annual Meeting brought more than 200 leaders together to celebrate organizational achievements, discuss emerging trends and shape the future of the organization. As the organization enters the final year of its Strategic Plan, the meeting emphasized momentum, collaboration and continued involvement in TXCPA and the accounting profession.
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Expanding the CPA Pipeline: An Important Joint Initiative for CPA Firms and K-12 Schools

CPA firms, universities and professional organizations are using coordinated efforts to expand the future CPA talent pipeline by reaching students much earlier in the K‑12 system. Because many students choose career pathways as early as 8th grade, the authors emphasize shifting outreach toward freshmen and sophomores already inclined toward business studies.
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TXCPA Accounting Opportunities Month
Workforce Development

Mentorship, Momentum and the Future of the Profession

Strong connections are essential to the future of the CPA profession. This CEO's Message highlights the power of mentorship, TXCPA’s efforts to strengthen the accounting pipeline, and the many ways members, volunteers and chapters are helping build opportunities for the next generation of CPAs.
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Outstanding Chapter Awards Recognize Achievements in Leadership and Service

TXCPA’s Outstanding Chapter Awards recognize small and medium-sized chapters for excellence in leadership, member service, innovation and community involvement. The 2025-26 recipients, TXCPA Rio Grande Valley and TXCPA East Texas, were honored for their strong student outreach initiatives, professional development opportunities, scholarship fundraising, member engagement and community service.
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volunteer leadership
Workforce Development

Beyond Tax and Audit: Shedding Light on Alternative Career Pathways

Accounting offers far more career opportunities than traditional tax, audit and financial reporting roles. By introducing students to the diverse ways accounting skills can be applied, educators and practitioners can help the next generation of CPAs see the many possibilities an accounting career can offer.
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What’s Happening Around Texas - September-October 2026

TXCPA chapters across Texas are strengthening connections through student engagement events, legislative conversations, member appreciation gatherings, and strategic planning sessions. From Corpus Christi’s student bowling mixer and to Southeast Texas’ celebration with Lamar University to El Paso's and San Antonio’s focused planning meetings and Victoria’s community‑building event, each chapter is fostering momentum, collaboration and professional growth.
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TXCPA Chapters
Tenure

Is Accounting Academia Still a Good Career Option for CPAs? An Updated Perspective

Is accounting academia still an attractive career path for CPAs? Although demand for accounting Ph.D. graduates has declined despite earlier predictions of faculty shortages, accounting professors continue to enjoy strong compensation, work/life balance, tenure stability and summer flexibility.
View Article
Spotlight Article: Leading Beyond the Numbers

Eric R. Alexander discusses the lessons behind his book “Stewardship Leadership for Stinkin' Accountants: Serving as the CFO” and how a servant mindset, wisdom and relationships create a lasting impact. He explores why trust, accountability and communication are essential to effective financial leadership, especially as AI transforms the profession.
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Strategic Planning
Sustainability reporting

Assessing Materiality of ESG Risks: Guidance for CPAs

This article explains how CPAs can assess and disclose material environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks that may affect a company’s financial position, operations and stakeholders. The concept of double materiality is introduced, which considers both the financial impact of ESG risks on a company and the company’s impact on society and the environment.
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PCC Addresses Priority Private Company Issues in Q2

This update summarizes the Private Company Council (PCC) activities for the second quarter of 2026. During its June meeting, the council prioritized improving financial disclosures for Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and targeted lease accounting simplifications for private companies, and discussed FASB's decision to add a project on subjective acceleration clauses and debt default disclosures.
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Private Company Council
volunteer leadership

Leading the Way: TXCPA Thanks Our 2026-2027 Faculty and Student Ambassadors

TXCPA celebrates and thanks our 2026–2027 Faculty and Student Ambassadors, whose leadership and enthusiasm bring our programs, resources and opportunities directly to campuses across Texas. Their commitment strengthens our connection to future professionals and fuels the growth of the CPA pipeline statewide.
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Profitable Is Not the Same as Valuable

A profitable business is not necessarily a valuable or transferable one, as enterprise value depends on organizational architecture rather than dependence on the owner’s involvement. The central message: profitable operations generate income, but only well‑structured businesses build equity that can be sold, transferred or relied upon for retirement.
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valuation
Workforce Development

A New Era for CPA Licensure in Texas – and a Look Ahead

Texas has entered a new phase of CPA licensure with the implementation of Senate Bill 262 on August 1, 2026, creating an alternative pathway that allows candidates to qualify with 120 hours of education and two years of experience, alongside the traditional 150‑hour route. As the 2027 legislative session approaches, TXCPA is preparing to protect strong licensing standards, monitor deregulation efforts and engage newly elected lawmakers.
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Take Note

In this edition of Take Note: A Legacy of Mentorship - A Tribute to John Baines, CPA-Dallas; Accountants Confidential Assistance Network (ACAN); CGMA® Designation; TXCPA Member Insurance
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TXCPA Member Insurance
Virtual Accounting

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.
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