The inaugural five-day cohort brings together legal, financial and strategic perspectives to give advisors a comprehensive understanding of the full M&A lifecycle.
AcctoFi, the newly launched professional learning brand powered by the Texas Society of CPAs (TXCPA), today announced a strategic collaboration with Jackson Walker LLP and other leading firms to deliver the inaugural Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Advisory Certificate, a comprehensive five-day program designed for CPAs, attorneys and finance leaders seeking to strengthen their advisory capabilities across the full deal lifecycle.
The cohort-based certificate program will kick off in-person January 15–16, 2026, at the Dallas Petroleum Club, followed by three application-focused virtual sessions. Participants who complete the program and pass the proctored exam will earn the AcctoFi M&A Advisory Certificate and a digital badge, valid for two years.
Developed in response to the growing complexity of middle-market transactions and the increasing need for multidisciplinary advisory expertise, the program integrates instruction from top practitioners in law, accounting, finance and university faculty. In addition to Jackson Walker, the instructional team includes leaders from Baker Tilly, DuBois, Bryant & Campbell, SMU Dedman School of Law, Gray Schrupp & Associates, as well as senior CPAs, investment banking professionals, and academic experts. Sessions span due diligence, tax structuring, financing, entity governance, Delaware re-domicillation, distressed transactions, intellectual property, data protection, employment covenants, business courts and post-closing dispute resolution.
Jodi Ann Ray, President & CEO of TXCPA, explained, “We built this program to meet a real market need. Today’s transactions demand cross-disciplinary skill sets and proactive advisory thinking. By partnering with the contributing firms, we’re bringing together legal, financial and strategic expertise in a way that reflects how complex transaction teams operate.”
“As Texas becomes an even more dominant force in the global corporate landscape, professional advisors increasingly support their clients through complex, high-stakes M&A decisions,” said Willie Hornberger, Partner at Jackson Walker LLP. “This curriculum gives CPAs, attorneys and finance professionals practical tools and frameworks they can apply immediately. We’re proud to collaborate with AcctoFi and the participating firms to elevate advisory capabilities in the marketplace.”
The M&A Advisory Certificate curriculum delivers a comprehensive view of the deal lifecycle, led by instructional teams from the contributing firms alongside senior CPAs, finance professionals and university faculty. Participants will explore legal, tax, financial, operational and risk considerations through integrated, case-based learning that mirrors real-world transaction dynamics.
Program Highlights
- Cross-disciplinary instruction from leading M&A attorneys, CPAs, investment banking professionals and university faculty
- Hands-on case-based learning mirroring real-world deal scenarios
- Integrated coverage of legal, tax, financial, operational and risk considerations
- Guidance on deal structuring, entity governance, tax strategies and compliance
- Sessions on IP diligence, cybersecurity, business courts, employment covenants and dispute resolution led by subject-matter experts from Jackson Walker and other participating firms
- Hybrid format enabling both immersive in-person foundational work and virtual applied learning
- Digital credential issued upon successful completion of program requirements
Registration is limited, with a final deadline of January 12, 2026, at 6:00 a.m. CST.
To register or learn more, visit www.Acctofi.com/MA-Certificate
About TXCPA
The Texas Society of CPAs (TXCPA) is a professional organization representing 28,000 members and dedicated to advancing the interests of CPAs and the accounting profession through advocacy, access to knowledge, community connections and career development.
About AcctoFi
AcctoFi is the charitable foundation of the Texas Society of CPAs (TXCPA), supporting the future of the profession through scholarships, educator support and pipeline initiatives. Powered by TXCPA, AcctoFi helps create opportunities for accounting and finance professionals at every stage of their educational journey.
About Jackson Walker
Jackson Walker is the largest law firm in Texas and has represented some of the most influential companies and business leaders in the world. Recognized among top firms for corporate transactions, tax matters, and complex business litigation by Chambers and Partners and Best Law Firms® by Best Lawyers, Jackson Walker’s attorneys bring decades of experience advising clients through the full spectrum of dealmaking and post-transaction issues. To learn more, visit jw.com.
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Today’s transactions demand cross-disciplinary expertise. This program gives advisors the practical tools they need to guide clients through complex M&A decisions.
Contacts
Media Contact:
Peggy Foley
Manager, Marketing and Communications
TXCPA
pfoley@tx.cpa
972-365-7984