This inaugural TCU Neeley training opportunity helped Texas Certified Public Accountants work toward 120 hours of Continuing Professional Education (CPE) required every three years, as well as network with industry peers. More events are planned.
April 28, 2023
For TCU Neeley School of Business alumni, being a lifelong learner includes access to continuing education opportunities and innovative business knowledge from our faculty experts and industry thought leaders. This spring, the Accounting Department introduced a new educational opportunity for alumni and others in the business community with a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) event.
Texas Certified Public Accountants (CPA) must regularly participate in required training courses to maintain their license. To support alumni and others in the business community, the TCU Neeley Accounting Department hosted the CPE event in Neeley’s Hays Business Commons and welcomed approximately 60 people to campus. This inaugural event was free and provided participants with five hours of CPE credit, as well as lunch and a networking reception. Participants included TCU alumni and others in the community, and represented a range of employers from accounting firms to non-profit foundations, investment companies and the Texas Comptroller’s office.
Bill Nunez, TCU Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration and CFO, opened the event speaking about the financial issues and challenges in higher education. Brent Woodford, a Neeley Executive-in-Residence and the executive vice president of controllership, financial planning and tax at The Walt Disney Co, talked about Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting. Woodford described the event as “a great opportunity to engage with TCU alumni and other professionals on a number of interesting and timely topics. It was a pleasure to not only speak at the event, but also interact with other speakers and participants throughout the afternoon.”
Others who shared their expertise included: Deepak Silwal, Bell Flight Assistant Controller, who discussed topside journal entries, and Associate Professor Stephen Lusch, who led an engaging discussion on the tax implications of the NCAA’s Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) policies. TCU Neeley Accounting Professor Karen Nelson, discussed her research on expanded audit reports.
“It was a privilege to present at the event and share some of the practical implications of my recent research,” Nelson said. “As a CPA myself, I know how important it is to stay current with developments in the profession, and as an educator I plan on bringing much of what I learned into my classroom.”
Bill Wempe, Accounting Department Chair, described the CPE event as a valuable opportunity.
“We are delighted that our inaugural CPE event was well-attended. TCU’s faculty and other campus leaders were able to share their expertise, and the event also provided participants a valuable networking opportunity. I want to recognize the Accounting Department Advisory Board – in particular Keith Bunch ’95 – for their encouragement and support for the event.”
Texas CPAs must have 120 hours of CPE every three years. Many of the attendees expressed their appreciation for an in-person training opportunity for CPE, as well as the networking with fellow alumni. The Accounting Department plans to host a similar event next spring.
