September 03, 2026
Take Note
A Legacy of Mentorship
The TXCPA community mourned the loss of longtime leader and friend John Baines, CPA-Dallas, who passed away on July 13, 2026. For more than 41 years, John dedicated his time, talents and heart to the profession, leaving an impact that will be felt for generations of CPAs.
John's leadership within TXCPA was extensive. He served on the TXCPA Dallas Board, chaired the Society's Diversity and Inclusion Committee, represented Texas on the AICPA Council, and spent more than two decades serving as a Director-at-Large and member of the TXCPA Leadership Council. His service earned him the 2022-2023 TXCPA Chair's Special Recognition Award and the 2023-2024 TXCPA Distinguished Public Service Award. But those who knew John understood that his greatest contribution was not measured by titles or honors. It was measured by people.
In a Today’s CPA issue focused on mentoring, John's example stands out. He had a unique ability to make others feel welcome, valued and capable of achieving more than they imagined. Whether speaking to students about careers in accounting, encouraging emerging leaders to get involved in supporting the profession or simply offering a thoughtful word of encouragement, John consistently invested in others.
Mentoring was not something John did occasionally. It was woven into the way he lived. He regularly visited schools to promote financial literacy and the CPA profession, finding creative ways to make lessons memorable and meaningful. He believed that every student could succeed if someone took the time to encourage them and help them see what was possible. He saw people. He believed in them. And he inspired them to believe in themselves.
As TXCPA honors John's memory, his legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched and through the creation of the John Baines Memorial Scholarship, which will help future CPAs follow the path he so generously helped create. Details about contributing to the new scholarship can be found online on the AcctoFi scholarships page.
John’s example reminds us that the most enduring legacy is not what we accomplish ourselves, but what we inspire in others.
ACAN: Your Confidential Path to Support
If you’re navigating addiction, substance use or mental health challenges, TXCPA’s Accountants Confidential Assistance Network offers a safe, confidential place to turn. Click here to access support resources, and reach out by calling 866‑766‑ACAN or texting 214‑566‑2854. Every communication is protected and confidential under the law.
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Thanks to the Sponsors of Today's CPA Magazine
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