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05-28-2010 American Institute of CPAs
American Institute of CPAs
WHO WE ARE:
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (www.aicpa.org) is the national, professional association of CPAs, with approximately 350,000 members, including CPAs in business and industry, public practice, government and education. It sets ethical standards for the profession and U.S. auditing standards for audits of: private companies; federal, state and local governments; and non-profit organizations. It also develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination.
WHAT WE OFFER:
In May 2004, the CPA profession launched a unified financial literacy initiative: 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy. The effort brought together the AICPA, the state CPA societies and individual CPAs to address a growing public issue: financial illiteracy. With bankruptcies and credit card debt skyrocketing and savings plummeting, CPAs stepped in to volunteer their time and expertise to help Americans get on the right financial path. The initiative sends the message that financial education should be a lifelong endeavor—from encouraging children to save their allowances to helping adults plan for a secure retirement.
In October 2006, AICPA extended the reach of the 360 initiative by partnering with the Ad Council to implement Feed the Pig™ (FTP), a national public service announcement (PSA) campaign. The campaign sends a wake-up call that Americans aged 25-34, also known as Career Builders, need to start making smart financial decisions or they will find their long-term financial security at risk. FTP provides basic steps to help these individuals proactively manage their money and start saving.
The target audience can find free financial information and tools to help them make positive changes by visiting www.feedthepig.org.
Across the nation, state CPA societies are implementing more than 350 grassroots educational programs annually that help Americans address key financial issues through various life stages. They identify community needs, customize 360 Degrees and Feed the Pig resources and mobilize CPA volunteers. They also take the message to the media and state leaders and legislators to increase awareness of the great national need for financial literacy education.
WHAT’S NEW:
360 Degrees of Financial Literacy Web site
A new 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy Web site launched last month. The Web site is the online consumer resource for the CPA profession’s 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy effort.
Users who register with the new site can create a customized dashboard of information and resources based on preferences for specific life stages and financial topics. The dashboard also connects consumers with local financial literacy activities offered by their local state CPA society and CPA financial literacy volunteers. Consumers can also sign up for e-communications, including monthly newsletters, consumer alerts and a weekly savings tip. Other new features on the site include:
- RSS feeds for each of the 10 life stages, from Tweens & Teens to Retirees;
- RSS feeds for 13 financial topics, including Credit & Debt and Home Ownership;
- Widgets to add to websites, social media platforms and blogs;
- Comments and ratings for articles; and
- An enhanced Ask the Money Dr. section, staffed by AICPA members who hold the PFS credential.
This Web site, like all components of 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy, is free of charge and free of marketing and advertising.
Feed the Pig for Tweens:
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Ad Council are seeking to create a nation of young savers with Feed the Pig for Tweens, a free financial literacy curriculum for fourth- to sixth-graders. The coursework reinforces math skills with real-life applications, like tracking expenses and balancing a checkbook.
Endorsed by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Feed the Pig for Tweens was developed by JMH Education with input from its Teacher Advisory Board. Feed the Pig for Tweens includes The Great Piglet Challenge online interactive game and a take-home activity, Feed the Pig Family Goal, for the students to work through with family members. Materials and the games are available to download on www.FeedthePig.org/Tweens.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Melora C. Heavey
Senior Manager, Communications
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
212.596.6037
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