Episodes

Episode Highlights The host, Kristie Ondracek, welcomes listeners and introduces the repeat guest speaker for the upcoming conference: Dr. Minh Nguyen, DO, Chief Medical Officer of Agile Occupational Medicine.​ Dr. Nguyen shares his background, including 25 years of practice specializing in occupational and environmental medicine, taking care of the workforce such as police officers, firefighters, and teachers.​ Main Topics Discussed Dr. Nguyen will present the closing session at the Fall Ac...

Leading Finance Teams Through Change — A Conversation with Arthur Forbus Host: Kristie Ondracek, TXCPA Houston Guest: Arthur Forbus, Founder & CEO, Changing the Face of Finance (CFOF) Episode Overview In this episode of TXCPA Houston’s Virtual Rolodex, Kristie Ondracek sits down with Arthur Forbus, founder and CEO of Changing the Face of Finance (CFOF), for a preview of his upcoming session at the 2025 Fall Accounting Conference and Technology Symposium (FACTS). The event will be held Novemb...

In this episode of Virtual Rolodex, Kristie sits down with Matt Daniel from All in IT for a conversation that blends technology, strategy, and partnership. Matt shares his insights on: The IT services every business should be thinking about What he believes is the true “secret sauce” to business success Why he’s looking forward to being a partner with TXCPA Houston Whether you’re curious about how IT can strengthen your business, or you want to hear what drives successful leaders, this epis...

Kristie Ondracek welcomes listeners to a special episode of the TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, featuring quarterly updates from corporate sponsors. This episode spotlights Goodman Financial, represented by Senior Financial Advisor Hunter Coday, who provides insights on the most recent tax legislation, key impacts for individuals and families, Social Security changes, and current market conditions. Tax Law Updates: Key Provisions from the Recent Bill High-Level Takeaways · Recent Legislation: ...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Mariella Bosquez, a University of Houston student and active member of the TXCPA Houston Chapter. Mariela shares her unique journey from psychology and Spanish to discovering her passion for accounting, how she found a welcoming community in the Houston chapter, and her insights on the evolving accounting profession. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariella-bosquez-906a37134/

In this episode of the TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex podcast, host Kristie Ondracek welcomes Mark Struczewski, also known as “Mister Productivity.” Mark shares his mission to help overwhelmed professionals get “unstuck” by focusing not just on to-do lists, but also on mindset and overall well-being. He emphasizes that many people wait until their problems become severe before seeking help, and encourages listeners to be proactive about self-reflection and continuous learning. Mark discusses the ...

Kristie welcomes Ely Delaney, an expert in automated systems and email marketing strategy, to discuss authentic communication, building lasting client relationships, and the smart use of automation and AI in business outreach. Ely shares actionable tips for making your emails stand out, avoiding common marketing mistakes, and creating genuine connections that turn prospects into lifelong clients. What’s Inside: How to write emails people actually want to read—ditch the spammy tactics and conne...

In this episode of the TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, host Kristie Ondracek sits down with Steve Goodman, founder of Goodman Financial, to discuss the firm’s long-standing support of TXCPA Houston, their unique approach to financial planning, and the importance of community and professional development within the CPA world. Steve shares insights into Goodman Financial’s mission, the value of building trusted relationships, and how the firm fosters both internal leadership and external education ...

Kristie Ondracek welcomes Roger Devine to discuss innovative fundraising solutions for nonprofits, especially those connected to schools and grassroots organizations. Roger shares insights into his company, SchoolAuction.net, and how their software is tailored to support volunteer-led fundraising events with user-friendly, cost-effective tools. SchoolAuction.net is designed for small, volunteer-driven nonprofits seeking efficient, affordable, and user-friendly fundraising solutions. The platfo...

Meet Natallia Ornelas, CFP®, RICP®, Wealth Management Advisor with 15+ years of experience and CFP® & ICP designations. From Belarus to the U.S., her inspiring journey is built on grit, professionalism, and a passion for helping clients navigate complex financial decisions. ✨ Fun fact: She used to be a singer — and that’s how she met her husband!

In this episode, Kristie Ondracek interviews Alec Olinger, Senior Audit Associate at Harding, Shymanski & Company and creator of the "Elevate CPA" TikTok channel. Alec shares his honest journey to passing the CPA exam-including early setbacks, taking a break, and finally passing in October 2024. He talks about the mental challenges, the importance of finding your own study rhythm, and balancing work, life, and exam prep. Alec started his TikTok channel to encourage CPA candidates and offer real...

In this episode, Kristie Ondracek interviews Sabrina Leonardi about her unique journey to becoming a CPA, her career path across industry and consulting, and the wide-ranging opportunities available in accounting and finance. Sabrina shares insights on the value of the CPA credential, the diversity of roles in the field, and advice for students considering accounting or finance. Key Topics Discussed Sabrina’s Background and Education Graduated from Oklahoma State University with degrees in ac...

Kristie welcomes Mark Bacon, a professional engineer and practice lead at Leyton, a global tax consulting firm specializing in niche tax incentives for commercial real estate. Mark is a featured speaker at the upcoming Spring Technology and Accounting Resources Summit (STARS), taking place May 13–14 at the Sugar Land Marriott. Key Topics Covered: Mark’s Background: Mark is an engineer with experience at Moss Adams (now Baker Tilly) and currently leads Leyton’s commercial real estate services ...

Guest: Michael Haynes, Business Growth Specialist from Sydney, Australia Event: Spring Technology and Accounting Resources (STARS) Summit Date: May 13-14, 2025 Location: Sugar Land, Houston Session Details: "Cracking the Code: Finding, Winning, and Keeping High-Value Advisory Clients" Two-part session Interactive, not "death by PowerPoint" Covers: 1. What today's advisory service buyers want 2. How buyers purchase advisory services 3. Go-to-market strategy pillars 4. Creating effectiv...

Episode Overview: Kristie welcomes Nef Palacio, a CPA since 2021, to discuss his journey into accounting, the value of the CPA credential, and the realities of working in public accounting. Key Topics: Career Beginnings: Nef shares how a high school accounting class and encouragement from his sister sparked his interest in the field. Influential professors and peers in college introduced him to the CPA path and its professional opportunities. Benefits of Being a CPA: The CPA designation ha...

In this episode, Kristie Ondracek welcomes Rhonda Travers, a featured speaker at the upcoming Spring Technology and Accounting Resources Summit (STARS), taking place May 13–14 in Sugar Land, TX, and virtually. Kristie and Rhonda discuss the importance of board engagement in nonprofit organizations, leadership development, and actionable strategies for accounting professionals looking to make an impact in the nonprofit sector. Register today: bit.ly/2025STARS

Kristie Ondracek hosts Deanna Sullivan, a renowned speaker and ethics expert, as part of the TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex series. This episode previews Deanna’s upcoming session at the Spring Technology Accounting Resource Summit (STARS), focusing on ethics in the accounting profession and beyond. Event Details Ethics Session: May 12, 2025 (afternoon) STARS Conference: May 13–14, 2025, Sugar Land, TX Who Should Attend: CPAs, finance professionals, auditors, legal professionals, and anyone i...

In this episode of TXCPA Houston's Virtual Rolodex, host Kristie Ondracek interviews Vladimir Amiouny, a CPA and audit and assurance senior at Deloitte in Houston. Vladimir shares his journey from being born in Canada to growing up in Houston, earning his bachelor’s in accounting and master’s in finance from Texas A&M University, and eventually pursuing a career in auditing. He explains that his role involves reviewing financial statements, internal controls, and providing opinions on their fair...

In this episode, Kristie Ondracek continues her series on the real-world experiences of accounting professionals by interviewing Rehan Noorani, a Houston-based CPA. Rehan shares his unique journey through various roles in the accounting field, offering valuable insights for aspiring accountants and CPAs. Thank you for listening! For more stories from accounting professionals and previews of upcoming conference speakers, subscribe and keep tuning in to the TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex. Connec...

Episode Overview: In this episode, Kristie Ondracek kicks off the STAR-studded series leading up to the Spring Technology and Accounting Resources Summit (STARS) happening May 13–14. She sits down with Jesse Rubenfeld, an accountant-turned-technologist and CEO of FinOptimal, to give listeners a sneak peek at his upcoming session.

In this episode, host Kristie Ondracek welcomes Kaneez Masoom to discuss her journey in accounting, from discovering her passion in high school to becoming a director specializing in state and local tax. Kaneez shares insights on navigating the profession, embracing curiosity, and adapting to niche areas like sales tax and digital goods taxation. She also reflects on advice she would give her younger self and the importance of taking things one day at a time. Key Topics: ✅ Choosing accounting ...

TXCPA Houston Virtual Rolodex Guest: Scott Barcroft, Partner at RSM Episode Highlights: Breaking Accounting Stereotypes: Showcasing the dynamic and innovative side of the accounting profession Guest Profile: Scott Barcroft, leading value creation solutions at RSM Career Journey: Started in accounting after abandoning pre-med path Worked at Deloitte, PwC, and now RSM Specialized in transaction advisory services and operational assessments Built a multi-million dollar practice from scratch ...

In this episode of TX CPA Houston Virtual Rolodex, host Kristie Ondracek interviews Jazmine, a remote tax accountant who provides insights into the modern accounting profession. Jazmine shares her journey into accounting, highlighting the profession's dynamic nature and challenging common misconceptions about accountants. Key Highlights: Remote Work Advantages: Discusses benefits of working remotely, including cost savings and flexibility Career Motivation: Chose accounting for its analytical...