September-October 2026

In this issue:

September 03, 2026

Outstanding Chapter Awards Recognize Achievements in Leadership and Service

To recognize and celebrate excellence in member service, TXCPA annually presents the Outstanding Chapter Awards to honor the achievements of small and medium-sized chapters across the state. The award recipients were selected by TXCPA's 2025-26 Chapter Coordinating Steering Committee. The following chapters distinguished themselves through their exceptional leadership, innovation, dedication and accomplishments, earning well-deserved recognition for their contributions.

Small Chapter – TXCPA Rio Grande Valley

Art Lopez, President

TXCPA Rio Grande Valley had an impressive year marked by membership growth, expanded pipeline initiatives and meaningful community involvement throughout the region. Through effective pipeline development efforts, the Chapter reached more than 700 students through university, college and K-12 outreach programs, including partnerships with The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and South Texas College. These activities helped raise awareness of the CPA profession and strengthen the future talent pipeline. The Chapter also awarded $8,250 in scholarships, contributing to more than $40,000 distributed over the past three years.

In addition, TXCPA Rio Grande Valley provided 32 hours of CPE and fostered member connections through networking breakfasts, a post-tax season event and its 4th Annual Walk the Dogs service project. More than 35 volunteers participated in community service activities, including the donation of approximately 1,000 pounds of pet food and supplies.

Congratulations, TXCPA Rio Grande Valley!

Medium Chapter – TXCPA East Texas

Kevan Kirksey, President

TXCPA East Texas continued its tradition of excellence with an impressive year of professional development, student outreach and member engagement efforts. Signature events included the CPA2B Bootcamp at Stephen F. Austin State University, which provided aspiring CPAs with valuable career skills, and the Tal Glenn Memorial Golf Tournament, which raised more than $39,000 in scholarships.

The chapter also invested in the future of the profession through Leadership Day and Pipeline Committee initiatives that reached more than 1,000 students from elementary school through college. Members benefited from more than 100 hours of professional education and training, while networking events, including brewery tours in Tyler and Longview, strengthened professional relationships and connections. During CPA Month of Service, a Toys for Tots drive delivered carloads of financial literacy-themed toys to children across East Texas, further demonstrating the chapter's commitment to serving its communities.

Congratulations, TXCPA East Texas!

TXCPA Rio Grande Valley

TXCPA East Texas

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:

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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