November 01, 2024

Take Note

Join TXCPA's Key Persons Program and Advocate for the Profession

Are you interested in helping TXCPA grow the CPA pipeline, protect the CPA license, and/or engage in politics and government affairs? If so, the TXCPA Key Persons Program is for you! This program connects members with legislators to promote the CPA profession and support TXCPA’s legislative priorities. Key Persons engage with lawmakers to communicate the importance of the profession and protect the CPA license.

With the 2025 legislative session fast approaching, TXCPA is looking for more members to bolster the program, build relationships with legislators and support our efforts in Austin. No experience is needed – just a willingness to get involved. Contact Kenneth Besserman at kbesserman@tx.cpa or Patty Wyatt at pwyatt@tx.cpa for more information, or submit a volunteer interest form at bit.ly/4dknbOa. We look forward to working with you in the coming year and in Austin during TXCPA’s Advocacy Day in January 2025.


Protect What Matters Most with TXCPA Member Insurance

Safeguard your family, property and career with TXCPA Member Insurance. Our association-endorsed insurance offers value and reliability you can trust.

Why choose the TXCPA Member Insurance Program?

  • Coverage designed for professionals and their families.
  • Exclusive member rates from top-rated carriers.
  • Your participation supports the mission of the Texas Society of CPAs.

Learn more at txcpainsure.org or call us at 800-428-0272.


November is Accounting Opportunities Month and TXCPA Month of Service!

This November, TXCPA is hosting Accounting Opportunities Month in conjunction with our annual Month of Service to raise awareness of accounting career opportunities. Your participation can create a meaningful difference! Consider volunteering for classroom visits or utilizing the hashtag #CPAMonth to share your unique career story, words of wisdom or message of gratitude on social media.

Help extend our reach by sharing this opportunity with educators in your network! They can visit this link to request a classroom or virtual visit during the month of November.  Together, we can inspire the next generation of CPAs!  

November is also TXCPA's annual Month of Service, where members, firms and companies come together to make a difference. From food drives and financial literacy workshops to holiday toy collections with a money-smart twist, there are countless ways to give back. If you’re looking for ways to participate in Month of Service, please contact the membership team by email at membership@tx.cpa or give us a call at 800-428-0272.


Save the Date: TXCPA’s Advocacy Day and Midyear Leadership Council Meeting is January 28-29, 2025

TXCPA’s 2025 Advocacy Day and Midyear Leadership Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 28-29, 2025, in Austin. Attendees will hear legislative updates during the Advocacy Day program and are encouraged to visit legislators and legislative staff at the Texas Capitol to discuss critical business issues.

Go to the Leadership Meetings area of TXCPA's website at www.tx.cpa for more details about the meeting.


Accountants Confidential Assistance Network (ACAN)

If you’re struggling with addiction, substance abuse or mental health issues, TXCPA Peer Assistance is here to help. Join a weekly support group, send a confidential message and find more resources at tx.cpa/resources/acan.

Call ACAN at 866-766-ACAN or send a text to 214-566-2854. There’s no risk!


Find Career Opportunities and Top Talent with TXCPA's Career Center

Looking to hire or searching for a job in accounting and finance? Visit TXCPA’s Career Center! Employers get deep discounts on job postings and internships are always free. Job seekers can browse listings, apply online and create a free Job Seeker Profile. Start today by logging in with your TXCPA credentials at https://careers.tx.cpa.

 

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 Practice Sales

Capstan

Condley and Company

CPA Charge

Goodman Financial

Poe Group Advisors

Professional Accounting Sales


  • Building the CPA Pipeline: A Faculty Perspective

    The CPA profession faces a shrinking pipeline, with fewer candidates entering the field even as demand grows. Faculty research highlights strategies to boost Exam success to better equip students, especially first-generation and future candidates under Texas’ new additional licensure pathway. Strengthening these supports is key to preparing the next generation of CPAs and securing the profession’s future.
    View Article
  • CPE: Joint Ventures and Equity Method Accounting

    Joint ventures enable organizations to combine resources under shared control to achieve strategic objectives, yet their accounting treatment has often posed challenges. To address this, FASB issued ASU 2023-05. This article examines the new guidance and its implications for equity method accounting.
    View Article
  • From Pipeline to Mobility: TXCPA Champions Two Major Wins for the Accounting Profession

    TXCPA achieved two landmark victories at the 89th Texas Legislature: an additional CPA licensure pathway for candidates and a modernized mobility law that strengthens practice standards in Texas. These wins not only expand opportunities for future CPAs but also set a precedent for other states, reinforcing TXCPA’s role as a leading advocate for the profession’s future.
    View Article
  • Finding Community and Purpose: Mariella Bosquez’s Journey in Accounting and TXCPA Houston

    Mariella Bosquez’s path to accounting was anything but traditional, but through TXCPA Houston she found both community and purpose. From psychology major to active student leader, her story shows how diverse backgrounds, mentorship and involvement can open doors and inspire the next generation of CPAs.
    View Article
  • Saved by the Byrd Rule: PCAOB Survives the One Big, Beautiful Bill

    Lawmakers looked to eliminate the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) by folding its duties into the SEC, but the effort was blocked under Senate budget rules. Supporters argued the move would save money, while critics warned it would weaken audit oversight and investor protection. For now, PCAOB remains intact.
    View Article
  • TXCPA’s 2024-2025 Outstanding Chapter Awards Recognize Leadership, Service and Impact

    TXCPA’s Outstanding Chapter Awards celebrate small and medium-sized chapters that go above and beyond in leadership, service and community impact. This year, the San Angelo, East Texas and Rio Grande Valley chapters were recognized. Together, their achievements highlight the dedication and creativity shaping the profession.
    View Article
  • Your Old Plan vs. a Better Plan: How Accounting Firms Can Attract More CAS Clients

    Many firms still rely on outdated, exhausting methods like cold calls, referrals and random networking to win CAS clients - but those days are over. By embracing SEO, accounting firms can attract a steady stream of qualified, high-value clients who are already searching for their services, resulting in more revenue, stronger client relationships and the freedom to focus on delivering value.
    View Article
  • What’s Happening Around Texas - September-October 2025

    From networking luncheons and campus connections to hospital tours and a gathering at the Rusty Axe Brewing Co., members in Brazos Valley, Dallas, East Texas, and El Paso came together in a variety of ways. Professionals and students are finding community, inspiration, camaraderie, and fresh opportunities while chapters are setting bold visions for growth.
    View Article
  • Celebrating Our 2025-2026 TXCPA Faculty and Student Ambassadors!

    Through our Ambassador Program, TXCPA works with Texas educators and students each year to share resources and engage the next generation of CPAs, building connections on campuses across the state. TXCPA Ambassadors help us strengthen our presence and learn more about what we can do to help build and support the CPA pipeline.
    View Article
  • Stronger Together: Empowering the Next Generation

    The September/October issue of TXCPA’s magazine shines a spotlight on building the CPA pipeline and supporting future professionals. The issue is packed with ways to grow and stay connected. Most importantly, it’s a reminder that the future of our profession is built together - with your passion, time and voice.
    View Article
  • TXCPA Pipeline Resources at a Glance

    TXCPA’s Pipeline Resources offer something for everyone in the accounting pipeline — students, candidates, educators, and employers. Whether you’re exploring the field, teaching it or hiring talent, TXCPA connects you to the tools, people and opportunities that make an impact.
    View Article
  • The Statement of GreenHouse Gas Emissions

    Global standards for climate disclosure are rapidly evolving and companies are under pressure to measure and report indirect emissions across their value chains. A proposed Statement of GreenHouse Gas Emissions could give investors and stakeholders clearer, more comparable insights into corporate sustainability performance.
    View Article
  • 110 Years Strong: TXCPA Returns to Its Roots at the Tremont House

    TXCPA marked its 110th anniversary by returning to the historic Tremont House, celebrating a legacy of leadership while setting bold goals for the future. From legislative victories and a new tiered membership model to expanded student outreach and the launch of AcctoFi, the organization is driving transformation across advocacy, education and member engagement.
    View Article
  • Take Note

    In this edition of Take Note: Insurance Benefits Tailored for TXCPA Members; Enhancing Your Social Wellness; Stand Out as a Leader with the CGMA® Designation; TXCPA’s Career Center; Your Next Learning Opportunity
    View Article
  • 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.
    View Article

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