As I was working on some marketing this weekend, which is painful for me because I am not in advertising, I continued to see firms and fiduciaries promoting themselves to the public while simultaneously contradicting the very words they were using. It became concerning.

To be quite honest looking back over the last 22 years of practicing Accountancy, not just a career for me as a Certified Public Accountant but also a professional designation; I never thought it would come this far.

I was supposed to be on “Hold” today, during a conference call. I heard one lending officer state, “We just need the CPA to sign this” and the other agreed.

Every complex asset sale, inheritance, or wealth transfer seems to come with the same promise: simple explanation, clean chart, easy answer. And almost every time, something critical is missing.

Every complex asset sale, inheritance, or wealth transfer seems to come with the same promise: simple explanation, clean chart, easy answer. And almost every time, something critical is missing.

In Texas, only a CPA can be called an “Accountant” (TXSBPA Act 1990). That matters—especially in litigation.

In an era of heightened scrutiny and evolving professional standards, attorneys handling probate disputes, business divorces, and high-conflict financial litigation are increasingly turning to Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) not as a last resort—but as a strategic first move.

When most people hear ‘CPA,’ they think taxes. While taxes are a significant part of the profession, the title ‘Certified Public Accountant’ represents far more than a focus on returns. It is a mark of rigorous education, mastery, integrity, and a dedication to protecting clients.

Zoom out for a moment: This is an excellent time to review last year’s highs and lows, financial and non-financial. Revenue tells one story. Operations, people, stress, and sustainability tell another.