May 10, 2024

Delivering Value to Match Your Needs

By TXCPA's President and CEO Jodi Ann Ray, CAE

We’re ending another year of serving our amazing community of 28,000 members! Thank you for the trust you place in TXCPA year after year. 

To ensure we are responsive and nimble in the delivery of the services and benefits members value most, TXCPA conducts ongoing member research. Over the past year, when asked to rank the reasons members belong to TXCPA, they prioritize as follows: To protect their license; for education; to stay up to date on professional issues. 

These three core areas are where we consistently focus on delivering value and they are the foundation of our messages as we strive to grow our professional community.

In 2023-2024, TXCPA protected your license with advocacy on issues like supporting a delay in the implementation of Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) requirements and with responses to every professional standards exposure draft that was released. 

We also had a seat at the table over the last year for the national discussions around growing the CPA pipeline and helping members and their organizations manage the talent shortage and ensure the future of the profession. Trends and sentiments from Texas were shared with the National Pipeline Advisory Group for their work identifying possible solutions and opportunities. 

TXCPA’s education options for members continued to thrive in 2023-2024, with more than 15 conferences, free quarterly professional issues and Texas tax update webcasts, the continued offering of the free four-hour on-demand ethics course, the addition of timely content to the TXCPA Passport, and hundreds of technical and non-technical webcasts offered every day. 

As we receive updates on late breaking news, it is our first priority to communicate to members and help you stay up to date on professional issues. We post real-time updates on tx.cpa, as well as on our social media channels. Members receive regular email updates and useful content in Today’s CPA. And Chair Tim Pike visited with many of you personally as he delivered presentations in chapters across the state. 

Be sure to read the cover story in this Today’s CPA issue to learn more about how TXCPA connected, protected and advanced our members and the profes­sion over the past year. We look ahead to 2024-2025 with much anticipation for the great work we know we’ll accomplish with the support and commitment of our members and volunteers. 

Thank you for your membership! 

About the Author: Jodi Ann Ray is TXCPA's President and CEO.

How can TXCPA help you in 2024-2025? Drop me a note at jray@tx.cpa

 

  • TXCPA’s 2025 Rising Stars

    TXCPA’s Rising Stars Program honors 16 exceptional CPA members under 40 who are making a significant impact in the profession and their communities. These honorees exemplify leadership, innovation, and a commitment to making a difference.
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  • CPE: Information Security Plans for Tax Professionals: A Review of Existing Guidance

    This article reviews the essential information security responsibilities of tax professionals and CPA firms amid growing cybersecurity threats. It outlines key IRS and FTC requirements, and offers practical steps for safeguarding taxpayer data, detecting and responding to breaches, and complying with data privacy laws.
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  • Top 10 Estate Planning Topics in Texas in 2025: A Scholarly Perspective

    This article highlights 10 key issues shaping estate planning in Texas. As a client's needs grow more complex, Texas CPAs play a critical role in guiding them with expertise, foresight and personalized strategies.
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  • The PCC’s 2025 Priorities: Advising FASB on Private Company Issues

    In 2025, the Private Company Council continued its work advising the Financial Accounting Standards Board on financial reporting issues affecting private companies. PCC Chair Jere Shawver discusses key accomplishments and what's ahead.
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  • Legislative Wins Reshape CPA Licensure and Mobility in Texas

    TXCPA achieved major legislative wins in the 89th Texas Legislature, including creation of a new CPA licensure pathway and modernizing practice mobility. These victories highlight our leadership in opening new doors for current and future CPAs.
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  • What’s Happening Around Texas - November-December 2025

    TXCPA chapters across Texas hosted events supporting education, professional growth and community engagement. Highlights include Corpus Christi’s school supply drive, Dallas’s behind-the-scenes Meyerson Symphony Center tour, East Texas’s Leadership Day, and San Antonio’s Beta Alpha Psi Competition and Accounting Educators Mixer.
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  • IAASB Approves New Standard on Sustainability Assurance

    The IAASB approved ISSA 5000, the first comprehensive global standard for sustainability assurance, effective for periods beginning December 15, 2026. The principles-based standard applies to all ESG topics, introduces the concept of double materiality, and allows for limited or reasonable assurance engagements.
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  • Our Rising Stars Shine Brightly

    TXCPA Chair Billy Kelley highlights the November/December issue of Today’s CPA, where we celebrate TXCPA’s Rising Stars - emerging leaders shaping the profession’s future. He also discusses the articles on estate planning, sustainability standards, information security, and TXCPA advocacy, plus chapter updates as members close out the year.
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  • Automation and AI and its Impact on the Future of Accounting

    Automation and artificial intelligence are revolutionizing accounting by streamlining tasks, improving accuracy and enhancing decision making. While offering efficiency and strategic benefits, these technologies also raise challenges around ethics, data privacy and workforce skills.
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  • PCAOB Adopts New Audit Firm and Engagement-Level Metrics Disclosures

    PCAOB's Release No. 2024-002 introduces new firm-level and engagement-level audit metrics to increase transparency and provide more decision-useful information. While broadly supporting the goal, stakeholders raised concerns about high compliance costs, a limited link to audit quality and potential negative impacts on smaller firms.
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  • Take Note

    In this edition of Take Note: November is Accounting Opportunities Month and TXCPA Month of Service; Member Insurance Program Provides Exclusive Benefits; Midyear Leadership Council Meeting is January 22-23; Support Through ACAN; TXCPA’s Career Center
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  • 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.
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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