September 25, 2023

TXCPA’s Annual Meeting of Members

By: DeLynn Deakins

TXCPA members and their guests traveled to the historic downtown Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel for the 2023 Annual Meeting of Members on June 23-24. It was an opportunity for members to connect and network with each other and with TXCPA leaders from across the state, while also learning about key issues in the profession and having some fun. The program included a social event for members and guests at the Fort Worth Stockyards.

Year in Review and a Look Ahead

Chair Tim Pike, CPA-Dallas, CFE, Immediate Past Chair Sheila Enriquez, JD, CPA-Houston, CFF, CVA, and TXCPA President and CEO Jodi Ann Ray, CAE, started the meeting with a review of the work completed in 2022-2023 and goals for 2023-2024.


Legislative Successes

TXCPA and the profession celebrated successes from the 88th Texas Legislative Session. SB 159, which went into effect on September 1, allows students who have completed 120 semester hours and 21 hours of upper-level accounting to begin to take the CPA Exam. SB 159 places Texas in line with 48 other states. TXCPA was instrumental in helping to pass this legislation that will give students the opportunity to begin testing earlier and help them on the road to CPA licensure.

TXCPA’s members worked closely with the bill’s authors, Senator Charles Perry, CPA, and Rep. Angie Chen Button, CPA, and the Texas Legislature to pass the legislation and get it to the Governor for his signature. We are also working with the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy to draft and implement the rules so that students and educators will have a good understanding and clear path as to what is needed to begin taking the CPA Exam after 120 semester hours.

The Governor also signed HB 2217, which will expand the scope and reach of TSBPA’s accounting scholarship program. These accounting scholarships will now be available to eligible accounting students who have obtained at least 15 hours of upper-level accounting. Prior to HB 2217, the TSBPA accounting scholarship program was limited to accounting students in their 5th year of education.

Both of these bills were priority bills for TXCPA this session and had wide support in the House and Senate, and both were important to our CPA pipeline strategy work.

CPA Pipeline Strategy

After just one year of work on our statewide CPA pipeline strategy, we have already affected much change. The pipeline strategy was launched in June 2022. It is aimed at attracting more Texas students to the profession, providing support to CPA candidates, and strengthening relationships with educators at all grade levels.

In the 2022-2023 year, we had a goal to reach 10,000 students statewide – we reached almost 12,000 Texas students! Our thanks to the volunteers and chapters for their support of this important work.

We hosted CPA Weeks in the fall and the spring, which helped us focus our outreach as a community and reach even more students.

This coming November, TXCPA is hosting BOTH Month of Service and Accounting Opportunities Month. Members, chapters and organizations are encouraged to give back through community service and outreach to schools and students to share resources about careers in accounting. Watch your TXCPA communications for details on how you can volunteer.

We also added more faculty and student ambassadors to better connect with more campuses in Texas. We have opportunities to grow these programs even more and welcome your recommendations for any professors or students you know who would be excellent connections. For this year, an organizational goal has been set to reach at least 12,000 students. There are opportunities for every member to impact the CPA pipeline work being done at TXCPA and in your chapter. You can:

  • Visit a school or classroom;
  • Tell your story with a video testimonial;
  • Support future CPAs in your firm or company as they prepare for the CPA Exam;
  • Help promote the classroom resources, scholarships and connections available from TXCPA.
TXCPA PAC


TXCPA PAC Chair Terri Hornberger, CPA-Dallas, shared important updates. She said the TXCPA PAC’s work in 2022 during the election season helped lay the groundwork for TXCPA’s very successful legislative session in 2023, leading to the very substantial wins for the accounting profession.

Leadership Council Provides Guidance for the Future

T his was the first meeting of the Leadership Council following the governance model changes approved in January 2023. Input from TXCPA leadership ensures that the Society continues to provide the value and benefits our members need. To that end, the Leadership Council was engaged at the Annual Meeting to provide input for TXCPA’s strategic planning process.

Before participating in roundtable discussions, the Leadership Council heard three keynote presentations. Bill Voegeli from Association Insights discussed member data and feedback from TXCPA’s continuous research. Eric Curtis from Curtis Strategy discussed trends in the association industry. Allan Koltin, CPA, CGMA, from Koltin Consulting Group, Inc. gave an update on trends in the accounting profession.

Strategic Planning Committee Chair Lei Testa, CPA-Fort Worth, asked the Leadership Council to use what they learned from these keynote presentations to provide their thoughts about the future of TXCPA to the Strategic Planning Committee

Small group discussions provided the following feedback:

  • What they want to see for TXCPA in five to 10 years;
  • Top three major issues impacting members, the profession and the Society;
  • Major strategic moves TXCPA needs to take over the next five years to be relevant and fulfill the vision.
Strategic Planning Committee Chair Lei Testa, CPA-Fort Worth, asked the Leadership Council to use what they learned from these keynote presentations to provide their thoughts about the future of TXCPA to the Strategic Planning Committee.


Advocacy for the Profession – Federal Tax Policy Committee and Professional Standards Committee

In the 2022-2023 year, TXCPA’s Federal Tax Policy Committee and Professional Standards Committee submitted comment letters and responded to exposure drafts on a number of important issues impacting the accounting profession.

Business Matters

In other important updates and reports:

TXCPA Treasurer Angela Ragan, CPA-Central Texas; Investments Committee Chair Chris Lucas, CPA-Fort Worth, CFA, ABV; and TXCPA CFO Edie Cogdell, CPA-Dallas, CGMA, gave the Annual Financial Report.

Accounting Education Foundation Chair Gary McIntosh, CPA-Austin, provided an AEF update.

TXCPA Secretary Josh LeBlanc, CPA-Southeast Texas, covered the quorum call and approval of the minutes from TXCPA's Midyear Board of Directors (now Leadership Council) and Members Meeting held on January 25, 2023.

Mark Your Calendar Now

TXCPA’s Midyear Leadership Council Meeting is planned for January 25-26, 2024, at the Omni Corpus Christi. Reserve your room now! Watch the weekly Viewpoint e-newsletter for meeting registration information.

Omni Frisco Hotel in Frisco will be the site for the 2024-2025 Annual Meeting of Members, June 28-29, 2024. We look forward to seeing you there!


2022-2023 Awards

Please see the Take Note section of the July/August Today’s CPA issue for the names of award recipients recognized at the Annual Meeting.

2022-23 TXCPA PAC Chapter Awards


Large Chapter Award 
Closest to 2022-23
Fundraising Goal:
TXCPA Dallas
President: Kenny Broom
PAC Chair: Terri Hornberger

Highest Percentage of Members Contributing:
TXCPA Corpus Christi with 6.6%
President: Brittin Stange
PAC Chair: Susie Sullivan

Highest Percentage of Fundraising Goal:
TXCPA Permian Basin with 120%
President: Catherine Speer
PAC Chair: Jimmy Hudson


2023-2024 TXCPA Leadership


  • Meet TXCPA’s 2025-2026 Chair Billy Kelley

    Billy Kelley, CPA and managing partner at Dutton, Harris & Co, is the 2025-2026 Chair of TXCPA. With a background in public accounting, industry and entrepreneurship, he is passionate about leadership, mentorship and strengthening the CPA pipeline.
    View Article
  • CPE: What to Know About Profits Interest

    Profits interest is a form of partnership ownership that offers recipients a share of future profits without a capital contribution. While offering strategic advantages, profits-interest contracts involve complex tax and accounting considerations and remain subject to potential regulatory changes.
    View Article
    CPE Creditable
  • What’s Happening Around Texas - July-August 2025

    Members in Austin held a happy hour to wrap up tax season and Houston members volunteered at the Botanic Gardens. Permian Basin members teamed up with UTPB students for a city cleanup. Southeast Texas gathered for a Spring Meeting and Victoria enjoyed a festive Member Appreciation Event.
    View Article
  • 2025-2026 TXCPA Chapter Officers

    Introducing TXCPA’s 2025-2026 chapter leaders – a dynamic group of professionals ready to elevate the accounting profession. With passion, purpose and a bold vision, they’ll guide our chapters forward and help shape the future of TXCPA across the state.
    View Article
  • Optimizing Auditor Precision: Addressing Biases in Large Language Model Technologies

    Large Language Models (LLMs) are transforming accounting and auditing by improving efficiency, uncovering financial trends and analyzing unstructured data, but using them also introduces risks, especially biases from training data and algorithms. Professionals are encouraged to stay educated on AI trends to use LLMs effectively.
    View Article
  • Meet the Chair

    In his first message as TXCPA Chair, Billy Kelley discusses his passion for TXCPA and goals for the year. He also reflects on the recent Annual Meeting in Galveston and encourages member engagement.
    View Article
  • TXCPA’s Successes and Key Issues from the 89th Texas Legislative Session

    TXCPA had a highly successful 89th Legislative Session, securing two major wins. Senate Bill 262 creates an additional pathway to CPA licensure and Senate Bill 522 modernizes CPA practice mobility. These achievements strengthen the CPA pipeline and protect the public.
    View Article
  • How ESG Can Create Value for Your Business

    The SEC has introduced climate-related disclosure rules to improve transparency for investors, sparking both support and criticism. This article highlights how businesses can view Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) not just as a compliance issue but as a value-creating strategy.
    View Article
  • Increasing Your Marketing Prowess: How CPAs Can Market with Confidence

    This article discusses common misconceptions that CPAs have about marketing and how even the most successful innovators have marketed their ideas effectively. It offers practical tips for CPAs to market themselves authentically by focusing on excellent client service, continuously improving their skills and committing to execution.
    View Article
  • Take Note

    In this edition of Take Note: Accounting Opportunities Month; TXCPA Leadership Nominations; Accountants Confidential Assistance Network (ACAN); CGMA® Designation for Management Accountants; TXCPA’s 2025 CPE Programs; Accounting Excellence Awards Presented
    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