Unique Approach Distinguishes Program
Helping the Helper – A Wealth of Resources for CPAs
MACPA Efforts Prove Successful

Thousands of CPAs have already volunteered for 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy, the profession’s nationwide effort to help Americans get their financial houses in order.

With American families carrying an average credit card debt of more than $6,000, millions of baby boomers doubtful of their ability to retire and college students leaving school because of debt rather than grades, the need for both a comprehensive financial literacy program and for involvement by the CPA profession is clear.

Unique Approach Distinguishes Program
While there are already a variety of resources consumers can tap to improve their financial situation, 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy has all the necessary tools in one place, separated into easily identifiable categories. It focuses on common life stages that trigger financial issues: childhood, college, career, military and reserves, couples and marriage, parenthood, home ownership, entrepreneurs, life crisis, sandwich generation and retirement.

This approach allows consumers to zero in on their particular financial issues and, at the same time, provides CPAs with an opportunity to volunteer with ease and confidence focusing on the areas that community members or program participants are most interested in.

Helping the Helper – A Wealth of Resources for CPAs
The goal of the 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy effort is to involve CPAs, through the state CPA societies, in the education of the American public, from school children to retirees, on life-stage-related financial topics.

The program offers a variety of resources to help CPAs maximize their volunteer efforts:

CPA Financial Literacy Resource Center: The online center is a “one-stop shop” including advisor content on basic financial issues, toolkits, updates and links to other financial literacy web sites and state society resources.

FREE CPE Program: To ensure CPAs are prepared to be successful financial literacy volunteers in their communities, the AICPA offers a free CPE course covering the major financial literacy topics. The course was created from Financial Guidance for Every American, a book written by CPA/PFS Mark Altieri.

CPA Mobilization Kits: All the tools a CPA needs to engage in community discussions are included in these kits. Each kit focuses on a particular life event and includes a PowerPoint presentation with notes and fact sheets of pertinent issues. Kits for four life stages are available: high school, college, parenthood and small business. Seven additional toolkits will be launched by February 2005.

Volunteer Database: By Registering in the Volunteer Database, CPAs can make their interest known to volunteer on either the state or national level and also keep apprised of the latest developments in the 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy effort. Registered CPAs receive a newsletter and invitations to financial literacy conference calls and events.

Consumer Web Site: The 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy consumer web site provides a comprehensive set of resources for those who need them most. Organized by common 1ife stages, the site is flexible and user friendly and includes articles, planning tools, exercises and links to other helpful sites. CPAs can use the site to support their own volunteer efforts or to help consumers access the kind of information that leads to more informed financial choices.

MACPA Efforts Prove Successful
In Michigan, several financial literacy initiatives have already been formed and have had positive results.

MACPA Accounting Blitz Targets Elementary Students
Each year, MACPA partners with Junior Achievement for the MACPA Accounting Blitz,
teaching thousands of elementary students about business basics. The blitzes target Detroit, Saginaw, Flint, Grand Rapids and Traverse City. Volunteers for the fall initiative are still needed. For more information or to volunteer, contact the MACPA.

VAST Helps Those Who Need It Most
The Volunteer Assistance Service Team (VAST) program reaches out to those in need, by facilitating pro bono CPA tax preparation. VAST is among the nation's largest free tax assistance programs serving people in poverty. More than 6,700 families living in poverty received income tax refunds and tax credits through the Tax Assistance Program last year. More than $6.4 million was returned directly to low-income residents in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Many low-income families aren't even aware they are eligible for income tax refunds and special credits. You can make a difference by sharing your expertise with people who can’t afford the valuable advice of an accountant. You’ll earn CPE while helping people with an annual income below the poverty level make every dollar count. The 2005 program launches in January and February 2005. Volunteers are needed.

MACPA Partnership Helps Grieving Families
MACPA has launched an innovative partnership with Hospice of Michigan. A newly developed MACPA Financial Literacy Task Force will develop materials, including checklists, for families to utilize in end-of-life planning for loved ones. HOM had been approached by several organizations to initiate a similar partnership; however this statewide organization, the largest provider of hospice care in Michigan, has asserted they will only partner with objective business advisers who have the experience and integrity to provide such an invaluable resource. Who, better than a CPA, can provide objective information? For more information, contact the MACPA Communications Department.

MACPA Speakers Bureau Resources Help CPAs Show Their Stuff
CPAs shine in the spotlight with high school and college students when they participate in the MACPA Speakers Bureau. In addition to the Bureau, members can utilize the free Speakers Toolkit resources for speaking engagements at their child’s school or an alma mater.

Michigan CPA Ambassadors Teach Financial Literacy
The CPA Ambassador Program is a community-based media and public speaking program presented entirely by CPAs to diverse audiences throughout the United States. The program aims to focus attention on the value of the CPA profession, one community at a time. The AICPA is working with several state CPA societies, including Michigan, to initiate this program throughout 2004-05. Eighteen Michigan CPAs were trained on four critical messages to help reintroduce the CPA profession to the American public: Restoring Confidence, Financial Literacy, Recruitment, and Small Business. These CPAs were supplied with support tools including prepared speeches, talking points, guidance on handling tough media questions and briefings on related issues that dominate today's headlines. For more information, contact the MACPA Communications Department.

1. Sign up or encourage CPAs to register on the financial literary volunteer database. This site allows CPAs to apply and take a broad leadership role in their state’s volunteer efforts to educate the American public.
2. Use available resources. CPA Mobilization Kits, speeches, talking points and research information are available.
3. Join or start a Jump$tart Coalition. The Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy offers opportunities to network.
4. Contact the MACPA to volunteer for the MACPA Accounting Blitz, the VAST program or to serve on the Financial Literacy Task Force.
5. Partner when possible. Many organizations are offering programs and would welcome the knowledge and expertise of CPAs.
6. Take a stand. Become a leading voice in your area by attending school, community and business meetings to share the message that financial literacy is a lifelong matter.

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