September-October 2024

In this issue:

September 18, 2024

TXCPA Thanks Our Faculty and Student Ambassadors!

Faculty and student ambassadors help us strengthen TXCPA’s presence on Texas campuses and learn more about what we can do to support Texas educators and students as we focus on growing the pipeline of CPAs in Texas. Learn more in the Be An Ambassador section of TXCPA's website. Many thanks to these ambassadors for their support and engagement in 2024-2025!

Faculty Ambassadors

Linda Acevedo, CPA, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Dr. Susan Anders, CPA, CGMA, Midwestern State University

Pamela Ansboury, CPA, M.Ed, San Antonio College

Michelle Avila, CPA, Our Lady of the Lake University

Madhuri Bandla, CPA, CFE, University of North Texas

Helen Bassett, Lone Star College – University Park

Okera Bishop, CPA, Austin Community College – Highland

Tara Blasor, CPA, Texas A&M University

Kelli Blount, CPA, Austin Community College – Northridge

Derrick Bonyuet-Lee, CPA, CGMA, University of Texas at Austin and Huston-Tillitson University

Regina Brown, Dallas County Community College District – Eastfield

Ricardo Colon, JD, LLM, CPA, Lamar University

Ginger DeLatte, CPA, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi

Tiffany DeLuze, DBA, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

Dennis Elam, CPA, Texas A&M University – San Antonio

Mary Beth Goodrich, CPA, University of Texas at Dallas

Dr. Marina Grau, CPA, Houston Community College

Jessica Hazel, CPA, McLennan Community College

Narita Holmes, CPA, University of Texas Permian Basin

LaPortia Hurse, Dallas County Community College District – Brookhaven

Selena Jefferies, CPA, Texas A&M University – Texarkana

Dr. Michael Kraten, CPA, University of Houston

Anne-Marie Lelkes, Ph.D., CPA, CMA, Texas A&M University – Kingsville

Yongli Luo, Houston Christian University

Kristy McDermott, CPA, Austin Community College – Round Rock

Dr. Arpita Shroff, CPA, University of Houston – Downtown

Kathleen Moffitt, CPA, CIA, Texas State University

Celinda Moore, CPA, Texas Tech University,

Dr. Renee Olvera, CPA, Texas Christian University

Julia Frink, Tarrant County College – Connect

Patrick Grewe, Tarrant County College – Northeast

Marsha Peters, Dallas County Community College District – Mountain View

Jacqueline Pierson, CPA, CFF, Lone Star College – CyFair

Dr. Richard Pitre, CPA, Texas Southern University

April Poe, CPA, University of the Incarnate Word

Daniel Puhl, CPA, Sam Houston State University

Dr. Laci Richardson, CPA, Lubbock Christian University

Sarah Robertson, CPA, University of Texas at El Paso

Jawanna Sanderson, CPA, Sul Ross State University

Stacie Smith, Kilgore College

Shanshan Pan, University of Houston – Clear Lake

Larry Stephens, CPA, Austin Community College – South Austin

Stephanie Swaim, CPA, Dallas County Community College District – North Lake

Jay Thibodeaux, II, CPA, Austin Community College – Eastview

Charles Thomas, Jr, CPA, CGMA, Tarleton State University

Linda R. Vaello, CPA, University of Texas at San Antonio

Dr. Robert Walsh, CPA, University of Dallas

Dr. Kimberly Webb, CPA, Texas Wesleyan University

Denise White, Austin Community College – Cypress Creek

Sunita White, CPA, Trinity University

Veronda Willis, CPA, CGMA, University of Texas at Tyler

Patricia Wynn, CPA, CMA, CGMA, CFE, CSCA, University of North Texas at Dallas

Ziyun (Calvin) Yang, University of Houston – Victoria

Jaye Simpson, Tarrant County College Northwest

Student Ambassadors

Abdul Aweda, Texas State University – San Marcos

Erica Acosta, Texas A&M University – San Antonio

Gabriela Benavides, University of Texas at San Antonio

Noel Casino, St. Mary's University

Emilio Castaneda, University of Texas at Austin

Gail O’Banner, University of North Texas at Dallas

Nelson Rose, Trinity University

Vaishnavi Jayaraman, University of Houston

Rosa Son, Houston Christian University

Amanda Perrin, Schreiner University

Ninelle Gutierrez, University of Texas at El Paso

John Varghese, Dallas County Community College District

Lenora Williams, Midwestern State University

Alma Martinez, Del Mar College

Ashley Bynum, Texas Wesleyan University

Ayham Rached, University of Texas at Dallas

Erin McSpadden, University of North Texas

Fei Song, University of Texas at Austin

Iman Raji, Huston-Tillotson University

Javier Solis Jr., Dallas County Community College District – Eastfield

Min Tan, Austin Community College

Nubia Hayes, Prairie View A&M University

Sally Simmons, Lubbock Christian University

Shalisa Smith, Tarrant County Community College

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

CPA Charge

Goodman Financial

Poe Group Advisors

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.
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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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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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volunteer leadership
valuation

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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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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Workforce Development
TXCPA Member Insurance

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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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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Virtual Accounting