2025 Programming

MONDAY, JUNE 16

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* * * * SOLD OUT * * * * Optional Pre-Conference Tour:
Space Center Houston with Herb Baker
Kick off your CPAs by the Bay experience with an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of Space Center Houston, led by former NASA veteran Herb Baker. With 42 years at NASA, Herb brings firsthand insights into space exploration, astronaut training, and mission operations.

This optional add-on is a rare opportunity to explore space history through the eyes of an industry expert. Spots are limited for this 1.5 hour tour—secure yours today!
When: 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Space Center Houston - 1601 Nasa Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058

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Optional Texas State Board Approved Ethics

1 – 5 p.m. - Ethics for CPAs – It’s a Matter of Choice
Speaker: Deanna Sullivan, CPA/Principal/SullivanSolutions
If we believe there are only two choices for being successful in business: 1) to win by doing whatever it takes, or 2) to lose by behaving ethically, we are faced with a true moral dilemma. While most individuals don’t set out to be dishonest or unethical, no one wants to lose, and it becomes easy to rationalize our choices and do what is most convenient. This session provides a look into the ethical philosophies we hold that guide our personal and professional lives and discusses the values upon which our choices are based. Ethical behavior is more than knowing what’s right and what’s wrong. It’s making the right choices for our profession and the organizations and customers we serve. The public looks to us to maintain a standard of ethics and integrity and the Texas State Board holds us accountable for protecting the CPA brand. Are we meeting these obligations?

Major Topics:

• Ethics and integrity defined and analyzed
• Personal, professional and organizational values

Learning Objectives:

• Explore the role values play in an individual’s and an organization’s ethical decision making
• Practice applying ethical judgment in making choices appropriate for the profession and the public
• Understand the Texas State Board’s Rules of Professional Conduct and the core values of our profession
• Determine improvement opportunities for protecting the brand

Skill Level: Intermediate

Field of Study: Regulatory Ethics (Technical)

TUESDAY, JUNE 17

8 – 8:50 a.m. -Financial Markets Update (General Session)
Speaker: Chris A. Matlock, CPA, CFA/Chief Investment Officer/Goodman Financial Corporation
This presentation will provide insight into recent financial market developments and prospects for what the future might hold. We will discuss the equity and fixed income markets, as well as cover current economic and monetary conditions.

Major Topics:

• Discuss the equity and fixed income markets, as well as current economic and monetary conditions

Learning Objectives:

• To gain an understanding of what is happening in the financial markets
• To gain an understanding of what is happening in the economy

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Finance (Technical)

9 – 11:50 a.m. - Federal Tax Update for Individuals (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Blaise C. Bender, JD, CPA
This session will provide a tax update associated with our individual tax clients. The session will include discussion on relevant revenue rulings, revenue procedures and developing case law. Relevant estate tax and trust matters will also be examined. Included in the discussion will be potential legislation and conversation on the extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions that are due to expire at the end of 2025.

Major Topics:

• Recent developments on gross income and adjustments to gross income
• 2025 retirement matters impacting individual taxpayers
• Recent developments on itemized deductions
• Personal tax credits – continuations and eliminations
• Estate, trust and gift tax issues
• Legislative developments regarding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)
• Other potential tax legislative matters

Learning Objectives:

• An understanding of:
• Recent tax developments that impact individual tax clients
• Potential legislation impacting individual clients
• Planning issues based on current and future legislation

Skill Level: Intermediate

Field of Study: Taxes (Technical)

9 – 10:50 a.m. - A&A Updates (Breakout Session) 
Speakers: Gosia Kanda, CPA, Partner/abip CPAs & Advisors/Houston
C. Eric Huddleston, CPA, MBA, Partner/abip CPAs & Advisors/Houston
Identify proposed financial accounting and reporting standards from the Financial Accounting Standards Board. Understand the impact of new requirements and the timeline of implementation for private and public companies. 

Major Topics: 

• 2023-07 – Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures 

• 2022-03 – Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions 

• 2023 – 05 – Business Combinations – Joint Venture Formations (Subtopic 805 – 60): Recognition and Initial Measurement 

Learning Objectives: 

• Learn about auditing and accounting standards effective for calendar year 2025 

• Understand which new standards might be appliable to public and private clients, timelines, and effect of implementation 

• Identify the main areas of change and how the application will change the accounting and auditing approach 

Skill Level: Intermediate 

Field of Study: Accounting (Technical) 

11 – 11:50 a.m. - Underwritten by Artificial Intelligence (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Ernesto Fonseca, Sr. VP, Director of Business Banking
In the financial world, giving a client a quick decision on their financing request is a competitive advantage over the competition. But to be quick and nimble, financial institutions need a reliable process to expedite routine decision making and mitigate risk. This session will discuss the benefits and risks of how AI is quickly integrating into the underwriting process.

Major Topics:

• Benefits of AI in business
• Risk that is involved in using AI
• Need for oversight in AI
• Opportunity to use AI in your business/role

Learning Objectives:

• Understanding of how AI can be beneficial to manage risk in important decision-making processes; the underwriting example encourages attendees to see how financial institutions are leveraging AI
• Show how AI can improve processes in your business or role
• Learn ways to detect what is AI generated
• Encourage attendees to embrace AI while understanding the need for oversight

Skill Level: Intermediate

Field of Study: Information Technology (Technical)

12:20 – 1:10 p.m. - Lunch Session – Privacy Pandemonium (General Session)
Speaker: Jason Barret, JD/Principal and Owner/JAME Consulting, LLC
Texas and 18 other states now have laws that protect the privacy rights of employees and regulate how employers and business owners may use, store, or process an employee’s personally identifiable information (PII). These new laws go well beyond employee rights and responsibilities go well beyond existing laws like the ADA, FMLA, HIPPA, and the Privacy Act. This presentation will provide critical information about the new state laws, the focus of criminal and/or civil enforcement, and practical compliance considerations for employers and business owners.

Major Topics:

• The origin and framework of employee/personal data privacy laws specific to US employers
• Why Does Data Privacy matter? US States with Data Privacy laws - Similarities and Differences
• Enforcement Activities of US States/Attorney General offices
• Best Practices for compliance by Employers

Learning Objectives:

• Why data privacy rights and laws should matter
• Key provisions of state data privacy laws and the enforcement focus for data regulators
• Best practices and compliance tips for employers

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Personnel/Human Resources (Non-Technical)

1:20 – 2:10 p.m. - Texas Franchise Tax Developments (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Stephen Webster, CPA/State and Local Tax Senior Manager/Crowe LLP
This session will focus on the most recent legislative updates affecting Texas franchise tax and clarify how they impact taxpayers. We’ll also highlight potential refund opportunities generated by these changes, offering insights on how to assess these opportunities. Practical solutions will be offered that help organizations adapt to evolving tax laws and minimize potential risks.

Major Topics:

• Texas franchise tax legislative changes and opportunities

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about recent cases/legislative updates
• Practical solutions/applications to filing challenges
• Identify areas of opportunity for practitioners and taxpayers

Skill Level: Intermediate

Field of Study: Taxes (Technical)

1:20 – 2:10 p.m. - Navigating Critical Employment Laws (Old and New) that Impact Businesses in Texas (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Luke C. MacDowall/Attorney/Littler Mendelson PC
This workshop presentation will review employment law developments that all Texas employers need to be aware of in 2025. There will be an overview of foundational principles of the legal framework for employment relationships in Texas. We will also delve into the practical impact these laws have on business operations, wage and hour regulations, leave and accommodation issues, and much more. We will also explore the litigation process when employers become entangled in litigation under applicable laws to highlight the importance of being able to "issue spot" potential legal risks.

Major Topics:

• Recent, major changes to federal and state employment laws
• Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations
• Common traps in wage and hour or leave and accommodation issues
• Overview of employment litigation processes in Texas

Learning Objectives:

• Provide an update on major employment law developments that impact businesses in Texas
• Educate attendees to "issue spot" common employment issues in Texas
• Give attendees an understanding of the basics of employment litigation processes

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Personnel/Human Resources (Non-Technical)

2:20 – 3:10 p.m. Social Security 2025: What’s Changed and Its Effects (Breakout Session)
Speaker: David Zander/Owner & Founder/Back Nine Financial, LLC
We've seen several changes recently, specifically the elimination of the WEP and the GPO. We’ll discuss how these changes will impact individuals and Social Security solvency. We'll also cover Social Security claiming going forward.

Major Topics:

• How the WEP and GPO affect schoolteachers, fire fighters and policemen
• How those changes will affect Social Security solvency
• Claiming strategies going forward

Learning Objectives:

• History of WEP and GPO
• What those changes mean
• Claiming strategies for those affected
• Claiming strategies for the rest of us

Skill Level: Intermediate

Field of Study: Finance (Technical)

2:20 – 3:10 p.m. - Pipeline Initiatives and the Future of the Profession (Breakout Session)  
Speaker: Julia Woislaw, Director/AICPA/College Station 
Discuss the current pipeline initiatives of AICPA in response to the declining number of young people entering the accounting profession and becoming CPAs.  

Major Topics: 

• AICPA Pipeline Initiatives 

• National landscape of new pathways to CPA 

• Updates on CPA Evolution and the new CPA exam 

Learning Objectives: 

• Learn the current state of the CPA pipeline 

• Understand the AICPA’s goals and progress on CPA pipeline initiatives 

• Analyze the impact of CPA Evolution on the CPA exam 

Skill Level: Basic 

Field of Study: Personnel/Human Resources (Non-Technical) 

3:30 – 4:20 p.m. - Creating Value in Your CPA Practice (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Wade Holmes/Business Broker/Accounting Practice Sales
Have you thought about what you can implement now in your CPA practice so when it's time to exit, you're able to have the strongest amount of buyer interest and receive the greatest value? Join us as we explore some of the key factors driving a practice's value. We'll also look at what concerns buyers and sellers have during the purchase and sale process.

Major Topics:

• CPA practice valuations and concerns with the buying and selling process of a CPA practice

Learning Objectives:

• Determine which factors within a CPA practice help contribute to being more attractive to buyers in the future
• Identify the concerns of buyers and sellers as related to M&A of CPA practices
• Differentiate between the four main ways practices are typically sold

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Communications and Marketing (Non-Technical)

3:30 – 4:20 p.m. - Reviews, Compilations and Preparations (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Bob Armstrong

4:30 – 5:20 p.m. - Medicare Primer (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Bryn Poland, Partner/Mayo & Poland, PLLC/Houston

Major Topics:

• Medicare enrollment periods
• Coverages
• Differences between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the difference between Medicare and Medicaid
• Learn the important dates for Medicare enrollment
• Understand the difference between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge (Technical)

4:30 – 5:20 p.m. - Organization Governance – Concepts and Issues (Breakout Session)
Speaker: H. Stephen Grace, Jr., Ph.D./President/H.S. Grace & Co.
In this session, we’ll discuss contrasts in perceptions of governance. We’ll define organizational governance, oversight and management.

Major Topics:

• Contrasts in governance form
• Defining governance, oversight and management
• The ongoing evolution in personal governance safety
• Cash flow vs. income

Learning Objectives:

• Understand alternative governance forms
• Understand the interaction of governance, oversight and management
• Issues underlying governance guidelines
• Fundamental issues: safety, cash flow, and checks and balances

Skill Level: Intermediate

Field of Study: Business Management & Organization (Non-Technical)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18

8 – 8:50 a.m. The Impact of AI on the Future of Accounting (General Session)
Speaker: Michael Quirke

9 – 11:50 a.m. - Federal Tax Update for Businesses (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Blaise C. Bender, JD, CPA
This session will cover recent developments associated with sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, corporations and S Corporations. We'll discuss recent IRS revenue rulings, revenue procedures and tax cases. We’ll also discuss proposed business tax credit adjustments, tax procedure developments, proposed legislation, including extensions proposed on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), and the current developments under the beneficial ownership information reporting rules that may continue to impact some domestic entities

Major Topics:

• Income issues and expenses impacting businesses
• Proposed changes to business tax credits
• ERC developments
• Beneficial ownership information reporting – current and future issues
• Tax procedure matters
  

Learning Objectives:

• Understand recent tax developments that impact our business clients
• Understand developments regarding beneficial ownership information reporting, current and future in nature
• Comprehend proposed tax legislation and extension under the TCJA

Skill Level: Intermediate

Field of Study: Taxes (Technical)

9 – 10:50 a.m. - Financial Planning Roadmap (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Wade D. Egmon, CPA, CFP®/Senior Financial Advisor/Goodman Financial Corporation
In this session, we will explore strategies to increase the probability of being able to fully fund your goals and enjoy the retirement you envision. We will use a case study format with a baseline financial plan and begin to evaluate the impact of decisions in critical planning areas. We will also examine the impact of risks to the plan, such as market volatility, taxation, low Social Security payments, longevity, inflation, and health care expenses so that you can anticipate and plan for such risks.

Major Topics:

• Retirement planning
• Investment allocation and tax efficient asset allocation
• Insurance planning
• Education planning
• Social Security planning
  

Learning Objectives:

• Reinforce the importance of financial planning ​ ​
• Apply the financial planning process
• Introduce critical planning areas and the potential impact of pivotal decisions ​
• Identify possible risks and discuss how to plan for those risks

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Finance (Technical)

11 – 11:50 a.m. - Mastering Your Time: Mindfulness Strategies for Accountants (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Jessica Malone/Life Design Strategist/Nacho Average Fro
In this 50-minute session, participants will learn how to manage tasks mindfully, set boundaries to protect their time and make clear, confident decisions under pressure. We’ll explore strategies for prioritizing work without overwhelm, creating boundaries to maintain focus and work-life balance, and using mindfulness techniques to improve decision-making. By the end, participants will have practical tools to navigate their workload with greater clarity, efficiency and peace of mind.

Major Topics:

• Task management
• Boundaries
• Decision making
  

Learning Objectives:

• Apply mindful task management – Learn how to prioritize tasks effectively, stay focused on high-impact work, and reduce distractions to improve efficiency and accuracy
• Establish strong boundaries – Develop strategies to set and maintain boundaries with clients, colleagues and workload expectations to protect time and prevent burnout
• Enhance mindful decision-making – Utilize mindfulness techniques to make clearer, more intentional decisions under pressure, reducing stress and improving overall job performance
  

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Personal Development (Non-Technical)

12:20 – 1:10 p.m. - Lunch | Fraud Happens! (General Session)
Speaker: Chuck Cummings, CPA, CFE/Owner/Charles C. Cummings, Jr. Certified Public Accountant
Examine the size of fraud in America, reasons for the problem, principles to remember, and danger signs that should alert you to a fraud occurrence. Discover the number one deterrent to fraud. The session will also cover common and unusual ways embezzlement fraud is committed.

Major Topics:

• Fraud by embezzlement
  

Learning Objectives:

• Size and reasons for fraud in America
• Danger signs for fraud
• Principles to remember regarding fraud
• Learn the number one deterrent to fraud
  

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge (Technical)

1:20 – 2:10 p.m. - One Spreadsheet to Rule Them All: Finance Transformation on the Grid (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Jesse Rubenfeld, CPA/Founder/FinOptimal/Houston
Spreadsheets are no longer just a passive tool for organizing numbers—they’re a dynamic interface for automation, efficiency and transformation. As accounting has long been the language of business, spreadsheets have been its universal medium. From month-end close and cash management to interactive reporting and tax reconciliations, this session will explore how finance professionals can leverage spreadsheets to automate workflows, enforce data integrity and integrate seamlessly with modern accounting systems. Join us to discover how automation can turn your spreadsheets from a necessary chore into a strategic advantage.

Major Topics:

• How spreadsheets serve as a flexible, dynamic user interface for automation
• Practical automation examples for month-end close, budgeting, projections, and reporting
• Leveraging spreadsheet automation for book-to-tax transformations and reconciliations
• Adjacent skillsets that finance professionals can develop to enhance spreadsheet automation

Learning Objectives:

• Identify processes that lend themselves to automation – structured, repeatable tasks that feel tedious are often prime candidates
• Understand who in your organization is best suited to drive spreadsheet automation – typically someone with strong knowledge of formulas, an understanding of accounting workflows and process orientation
• Learn about adjacent technical skills that can amplify automation efforts, such as SQL and Python

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Information Technology (Technical)

1:20 – 2:10 p.m. - The Future of Work and Your Personal Brand (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Kevin Box, MBA/Founder/Fuel Your Growth
This session will explore the evolving landscape of the future of work, emphasizing the growing importance of personal branding in a digital age shaped by AI and social media. You'll gain insight into how technology trends are impacting careers and learn strategies to build and maintain a strong personal brand in a rapidly changing professional environment.

Major Topics:

• Future of work
• Personal branding
• AI
• Social media

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the future of work
• Learn about the importance of personal branding
• How to leverage LinkedIn for Thought Leadership

Skill Level: Intermediate

Field of Study: Personal Development (Non-Technical)

2:20 – 3:10 p.m. - Leadership Dynamics (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Dana Garnett, MADR, MSA, CPA/Conflict Resolution Strategist/The Mindful Strategy LLC

Risking ruffling feathers, differences between generations have been way over analyzed where it's created greater gaps, making understanding each other a lot harder than it should be. Trying to keep up with generational characteristics and “how to” and “how not to” interact to not have conflict can be exhausting. Fortunately, there's a much easier way to relate to each other no matter what year you were born.

Major Topics:

• Leadership interaction
• Power dynamics
• Leadership styles regardless of age
  

Learning Objectives:

• How to connect effectively with any team
• How to connect effectively with any of your leader peers
• Connecting solutions that bridge perceived gaps and capitalize on ageless strengths

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Personal Development (Non-Technical)

2:20 – 3:10 p.m. - How to Configure Customized Software Solutions (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Stephanie Livingston, CPA/President & CEO/Livingston CPA PLLC/Houston
This session will illustrate how to coax customized software solutions from QuickBooks Plus or Desktop to bypass the need for more costly or industry-specific reporting programs using a few tips and tricks, and for-profit and non-profit case studies, in an economy where every dollar counts.

Major Topics:

• Application configuration
• Configuration tools
• Reporting in layers <
• Customized reports
• Management reports
• Bonus Topic: How to use one subscription for more than one company<

Learning Objectives:

• How to use QuickBooks Plus or Desktop for advanced reporting configurations WITHIN what it is designed to do
• How to use QuickBooks Plus or Desktop for advanced reporting configurations BEYOND what it is designed to do
• How to avoid advanced configuration BLUNDER

Skill Level: Intermediate

Field of Study: Computer Software and Applications (Non-Technical)

3:30 – 4:20 p.m. - IT Project Management 101 for Accountants and Business Leaders (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Scott E. Johnson, CPA, PMP/SAP Project Delivery Executive

In today's world, the Information Technology department has become facilitators and servant leaders to the largest company projects that often call upon business leaders to sponsor or even run the projects. Many times, large IT projects are contracted out and the CPA and business leader must be savvier in negotiating and guiding the project budget, scope and timeline. The business should be intimately involved in the early stages of the project. This session attempts to arm the business side with a basic understanding of what goes on inside an IT project manager’s head and how to respond appropriately.

Major Topics:

• Insights into the primary causes behind ERP and IT project failures
• Best practices for establishing "project governance" for large projects
• Effective strategies to counter the project "triple threat"
• Techniques for recognizing and mitigating common risks
• Where AI can play a part in the future of project management

Learning Objectives:

• A basic understanding of project management terminology to be able to intelligently interact with IT internally and 3rd party integrators
• What needs to be included in the project governance model to control the project and track progress
• Identify the typical risks (threats) to the project timeline and how to plan for mitigation

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Information Technology (Technical)

3:30 – 4:20 p.m. - Quality Management Standards (Breakout Session)
Speaker: Robert (Bob) Armstrong

4:30 – 5:20 p.m. - Charting the Path from RPA to Agentic AI (Closing General Session)
Speakers: Edwin Harvey, Ph.D./Director/Your Part-Time Controller, LLC and Patricia Bueso/Manager/Your Part-Time Controller, LLC
What does it mean to give agency to generative AI algorithms, and what makes them capable of accepting and wielding said agency? How close are we to implementing agentic AI for auditing and financial management, what leaps have yet to be made, and what baby steps are already behind us? This session will answer these pressing questions by way of concepts and case studies. We’ll also consider how to employ early AI agents responsibly and prepare our teams for an increasingly “agentic” future.

Major Topics:

• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Automation
• Responsible AI
  

Learning Objectives:

• Define “agency” in the context of generative AI technology
• Distinguish between generative AI and traditional automation, and explore forms of synergy between them
• Review principles of “responsible AI” in the context of embracing “agentic AI”

Skill Level: Basic

Field of Study: Information Technology (Technical)