May 05, 2025
TXCPA’s 2024-2025 Year in Review
A Year of Action, Transformation and Success
By DeLynn Deakins, Today’s CPA Managing Editor
The Texas Society of CPAs has been on a mission – advance the interests of CPAs and the accounting profession through advocacy, access to knowledge, community connections, and career development. Over the past year, we’ve tackled major issues head-on, from strengthening the CPA pipeline to advocating for important policy changes that will shape the future.
In the first year of our new strategic plan, we’re driving meaningful progress across four key goals: addressing the talent pipeline shortage, ensuring growth and our long-term viability, streamlining operations, and enhancing TXCPA’s visibility. Whether it’s championing new pathways to licensure, hosting dynamic student engagement events or ensuring our members have access to top-tier professional development, TXCPA is committed to empowering CPAs at every stage of their careers.
This article highlights some of the strides we made in the 2024-2025 year - and what’s next - as we continue our work to build a stronger community for you.
TXCPA’s Strategic Plan Goals
- Secure the Future of the Accounting Profession by Attracting and Retaining Talent.
- Ensure the Continued Influence, Impact and Viability of the Organization by Expanding Resources to Grow and Serve Our Market and Responding to its Evolving Needs.
- Improve the Quality and Efficiency of the Delivery of Services and Expand Opportunities Through a Streamlined Organization Structure.
- Enhance TXCPA’s Position in the Marketplace With a Robust, Multichannel Marketing Strategy to Increase Visibility, Engagement and Growth.
Strengthening the CPA Pipeline
The CPA profession continues to face a shrinking talent pipeline, a challenge that reflects broader workforce trends. AICPA’s National Pipeline Advisory Group (NPAG) issued a report last summer that identified six key recommendations to address the talent shortage:
- Tell a more compelling story about the CPA profession
- Reduce education cost and time barriers
- Make accounting education more engaging
- Provide stronger support for CPA Exam candidates
- Improve workplace experiences for young professionals
- Expand pathways for underrepresented groups
In Texas, TXCPA has been proactively tackling pipeline challenges, formalizing a statewide strategy in 2022 to bring greater visibility to the issue.
This year, we updated our pipeline strategy to align with NPAG’s recommendations and ensure we remain at the forefront of pipeline initiatives.
Evolving the CPA Pathway. The traditional path to CPA licensure requires 150 semester hours, passing the CPA Exam and relevant work experience.
Efforts are currently underway to provide additional flexibility for CPA candidates in Texas. Senator Charles Perry, CPA, introduced Senate Bill 262 (SB 262) and Representative Angie Chen Button, CPA, introduced companion House Bill 1757 (HB 1757), which propose an additional licensure pathway requiring:
- A bachelor’s degree with an accounting concentration
- Two years of relevant work experience (as defined by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy)
- Successful completion of the CPA Exam
TXCPA actively advocated for the passage of these bills and as of this writing, Senate Bill 262 passed both chambers unanimously and is now headed to the governor. If signed, the legislation would take effect on August 1, 2026, to better align with the start of academic years. Importantly, the 150-hour and master’s education paths would remain as options, ensuring candidates have multiple paths to licensure while maintaining necessary education and business competencies.
Additional pathways are now being considered in over 30 jurisdictions, reinforcing the growing need for an updated approach to licensure.
Modernizing CPA Mobility in Texas. As CPA licensing requirements begin to vary by state, mobility – the ability for CPAs to practice across state lines – has become increasingly important. To address this, Senator Perry and Representative Button introduced Senate Bill 522 (SB 522) and House Bill 1764 (HB 1764) to modernize Texas’ mobility standards.
As of this writing, the mobility bill is headed to Governor Abbott for his signature. It will allow CPAs licensed in other states to continue practicing in Texas, provided they meet key criteria, including active licensure and good standing in their home state, a bachelor’s degree with required accounting and business coursework, one to two years of relevant work experience and successful completion of the Uniform CPA Exam.
Please see the Government Affairs article in this Today’s CPA for an update and review of the 89th Texas legislative session.
Advocacy in Action. On January 28, TXCPA held a high-energy Advocacy Day at the Texas Capitol, bringing together CPAs, students and legislative experts to champion key accounting profession issues. Attendees engaged with over 140 legislators and legislative offices, strengthening relationships and reinforcing the importance of workforce development.
TXCPA’s progress in addressing the CPA pipeline would not happen without the dedicated support of our members and the TXCPA Political Action Committee (PAC). The TXCPA PAC is an important tool in shaping legislative outcomes, ensuring that CPAs have a strong voice at the Capitol.
The 2024-25 TXCPA PAC fundraising year ended on March 31, 2025, and it was a successful one! Under TXCPA Chair Mohan Kuruvilla’s leadership, we made significant strides toward our participation goals:
- 65% of the TXCPA Leadership Council contributed to the PAC
- 3.1% of TXCPA members supported the PAC’s mission
The TXCPA PAC is only as successful as the number of members we have supporting it. Greater participation means greater influence. Every contribution strengthens our ability to protect and advance the CPA profession in the legislature. Thank you to everyone who supported the TXCPA PAC this year.
Reaching Students. TXCPA is committed to inspiring the next generation of CPAs and our efforts to reach students are making a real impact. From classroom visits to networking events, we’re working to connect with 14,000 students this year.
In November 2024 and April 2025, our Accounting Opportunities Months focused on introducing students to the possibilities of a career in accounting. Our November campaign exceeded expectations, reaching 2,820 students – 20% of our annual goal! With 46 school engagements – including class visits, career fairs and student meetings – and 87 volunteers, we made meaningful connections.
The April campaign aimed to reach at least 1,500 students. Stay tuned to your TXCPA communications for the final numbers!
Our Balance Sheet Bash events, held at locations across Texas, provided college students with direct access to CPAs, firms and accounting professionals. These half-day programs featured networking, panel discussions and career insights. Each event brought together top accounting firms and professionals, giving students a chance to ask questions and gain industry knowledge.
Balance Sheet Bash events held in February included events at:
- Texas Southern University - 42 students from Texas Southern University, University of Houston-Main, University of Houston-Downtown, Lone Star College, and Houston Community College
- Huston-Tillotson University - 43 students from Huston-Tillotson University, Austin Community College, and Concordia CTX
- Paul Quinn College - 31 students from Paul Quinn College, University of Texas at Dallas, University of North Texas, University of North Texas at Dallas, and Dallas College
Our Student and Faculty Ambassadors play a vital role in expanding TXCPA’s reach on college campuses. This program provides direct support to students and educators, helping to strengthen engagement and shape the future of the profession.
Ambassadors met periodically throughout the year, discussing legislative updates, student membership trends and engagement goals. Want to get involved? Visit the Be An Ambassador section on tx.cpa. Thank you to all our volunteers, ambassadors and professionals who make these initiatives possible.
Growing TXCPA’s Reach and Impact. To stay relevant, influential and financially strong, TXCPA is evaluating new membership models to better serve an evolving profession. As the CPA landscape shifts, we must adapt to changing demographics, address nonmember feedback and attract the next generation of CPAs.
TXCPA’s Membership Task Force was created in 2021-2022. The task force has refined member types, tested some pilot programs in 2023-2024 and 2024-2025, and updated our Membership Model Study with an outside consultant in 2024-2025. By leveraging our strengths and removing barriers, TXCPA is building a membership model that is aligned to meet the needs of today’s professionals.
Elevating Learning. At TXCPA, delivering top tier Continuing Professional Education (CPE) is a key priority. With a diverse range of live and online courses, members can customize their learning experience to fit their professional goals.
In December and January, TXCPA hosted 20 Federal Tax Update sessions, equipping 1,400+ attendees with the latest tax insights.
TXCPA members enjoy at least 20 hours of complimentary CPE, covering essential topics like Texas taxes, ethics and industry trends. As of March 6, 2025, more than 12,000 registrations had been recorded for these free programs in 2024-2025.
To ensure learning is accessible, TXCPA expanded virtual conference options, allowing hundreds of professionals to participate remotely. This flexibility ensures members stay informed, no matter where they are located.
With hundreds of learning opportunities, TXCPA is committed to keeping members ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving profession. Check out the Education section of TXCPA’s website to explore ways you can learn, grow and excel!
CPE by the numbers in 2024-2025:
- 28,195 total registrations
- 474 unique programs
- 8,892 unique participants
Federal Tax Policy and Professional Standards Committees. TXCPA’s Federal Tax Policy Committee and Professional Standards Committee provide responses to exposure drafts from standards-setting bodies that influence the accounting profession. This important work ensures TXCPA maintains a strong and consistent presence before regulators each year.
Among the top issues the Federal Tax Policy Committee addressed were educating members on BOI requirements, reviewing Senator Cruz’s wildfire tax relief bill and commenting on proposed Circular 230 regulations. Committee members Nathan George, CPA-Abilene, and co-author Ken Horwitz, JD, LLM, CPA-Dallas, published a second article in the July/August 2024 issue of Today’s CPA titled “Corporate Transparency Act: An Update.” In addition, the committee’s comments letter on the IRS reducing notice deadlines from 45 to 10 days before contacting third parties was so important that Tax Notes twice covered the letter.
The Professional Standards Committee (PSC) reviews every professional standards exposure draft released. As of this writing, the PSC has issued 12 comment letters during the 2024-2025 year. The related 12 exposure drafts included 372 pages of guidance to review. Among the important issues were SEC Approval of PCAOB Final Rules on Firm and Engagement Metrics and AICPA PEEC: Revised Interpretation Tax Services. The PSC’s opposition to these exposure drafts exerted pressure on the standard-setting bodies.
Streamlining TXCPA's Organization Structure
TXCPA is committed to enhancing service quality, improving efficiency and expanding opportunities through a more streamlined organizational structure. To drive this initiative, we established an Organization Structure Task Force to focus on:
- Assessing our current structure to identify strengths, challenges and opportunities
- Enhancing service delivery for maximum efficiency and quality
- Adapting to the evolving needs of our members and the marketplace
After analyzing research, trends and historical data, the Task Force has outlined key opportunities to streamline operations and eliminate redundancies. A three-year strategic plan with milestones will be released in 2025-2026. Watch for updates as we build a more dynamic, responsive and impactful organization together!
Elevating TXCPA’s Impact with a Powerful Marketing Strategy
To enhance TXCPA’s position in the marketplace, we’re focused on a robust, multichannel marketing strategy to boost visibility, engagement and growth. Last June, we conducted a marketing audit, analyzing membership data and demographics.
Key priorities moving forward include:
- Targeted engagement - We’re identifying market segments within the accounting profession, ensuring tailored, relevant communication that drives participation
- Clear Value Proposition - We completed a project to define and communicate TXCPA’s unique value at every career stage, streamlining how to connect with diverse audiences
- New Value Proposition Toolkits - These will provide the tools to better understand and share TXCPA’s benefits, strengthening our engagement with members
With a strategic focus and customized messaging, we’re ensuring TXCPA remains a trusted, influential force in the profession.
TXCPA Member Insurance Program: Expanding Protection for You
TXCPA is enhancing our Member Insurance Program to serve more members and provide greater value. Since partnering with Forrest T. Jones & Company (FTJ) in January 2024, we’ve seen significant growth in key coverage areas:
- The number of members taking advantage of Professional Liability coverage grew by over 50%
- The number of members utilizing Cyber Liability coverage nearly quadrupled
Having a trusted partner with a strong Texas presence has helped us expand these offerings while providing tailored benefits and superior service.
If you haven’t explored TXCPA’s insurance solutions, now is the time! Protect yourself, your business and your future with coverage designed specifically for CPAs.
Looking Ahead
Big things are ahead! Mark your calendar for TXCPA’s Annual Meeting of Members and Leadership Council Meeting on June 26-27, 2025, at the Tremont House and Grand Galvez in Galveston. This is your opportunity to hear a current update on TXCPA priorities and accomplishments, connect with fellow CPAs, influence the future of TXCPA and be part of key conversations shaping the profession. Don’t miss out - reserve your room today!
Your membership and support fuel everything we do, and we can’t wait to see what we accomplish together in 2025-2026. See you in Galveston!
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:
