VSCPA Wins First-Ever Commonwealth Community Service Award for Financial Fitness Initiative

The Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA) has received the first-ever Commonwealth Community Service Award, a new statewide award program by the Virginia Society of Association Executives (VSAE). The award was announced at a special dinner held Thursday, May 3, at VSAE's annual conference in Williamsburg.

VSAE developed this prestigious award to recognize one association each year that propels Virginia forward through inventive projects in skills development; ethical, technical or professional standards; economic growth; business and social advancement; informational foundation; public education; civic and community volunteerism; and citizenship and democracy improvement.

The VSCPA received the award in community service for its new financial literacy initiative called Financial Fitness — Improving the Financial Health of Virginians (www.FinancialFitness.org). Through community outreach, the campaign is part of a national effort of the CPA profession to educate and increase knowledge of Virginians — from school children to retirees — on topics related to money management and fiscal responsibility.

Highlights of the VSCPA's Financial Fitness initiative for 2006 include:

• Obtaining a Governor's Proclamation recognizing October 15–21, 2006, as Financial Fitness Week in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Organizing Financial Fitness Day on October 21, 2006 — a community service event where more than 50 CPA volunteers manned 15 booths statewide to offer free financial advice, resources and materials to more than 5,000 citizens.
• Creating a 12-month 2007 Financial Fitness Wall Calendar loaded with year-round financial advice, important financial dates to remember, definitions of financial terms and more. Copyrighted by the VSCPA, the calendar is sponsored by the American Institute of CPAs and is used by numerous state CPA societies. Approximately 100,000 calendars are distributed nationwide annually.
• Managing a consumer Web site, www.FinancialFitness.org, serves as a clearinghouse of financial resources for the public. The site receives 20,000 visitors each year.
• Holding free consumer workshops, led by CPA experts, to educate the public on money management topics. In addition to workshops for all consumers, a special series for women and a new series for young adults are available. Ten seminars have been held to date with more than 400 Virginians in attendance.
• Offering a Speakers Bureau that provides CPAs to speak for free on financial topics and educate their communities. Approximately 50 presentations are given annually.
• Leading Virginia Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy — a nonprofit that aims to improve financial literacy in students and young adults. The organization has approximately 115 member organizations and holds the Virginia Financial Literacy Summit, led by the VSCPA.
• The VSCPA also provides numerous pro bono, tax season community service programs, including the VATaxHelp.com Web site and free e-mail program, NBC12 Tax Help Call-in, Roanoke Public Radio & TV Tax Shows, Military Tax Help and Virginia Disaster Recovery Help. Approximately 5,000 consumers are touched annually.

"The VSCPA is honored to receive this wonderful recognition from VSAE for our Financial Fitness campaign. It's an inspiration to showcase our program as an example of the many contributions associations are making to advance Virginia and all America," said VSCPA Vice President of Member & Public Relations Tina Lambert, CAE. "Virginia CPAs are so passionate about financial literacy and are thrilled to offer this valuable community service program to Virginians."

The Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA) is the leading professional association in the Commonwealth dedicated to enhancing the success of all CPAs. Founded in 1909, the VSCPA has more than 8,100 members who work in public accounting, industry, government and education. For more information, please visit the Press Room on the VSCPA Web site at www.vscpa.com, e-mail vscpa@vscpa.com or call (800) 733-8272. To search for a CPA in your geographic region, visit www.financialfitness.org and click on "Find a CPA."

The Virginia Society of Association Executives (VSAE) is the only association in Virginia which serves the state's association management industry. VSAE focuses its resources on the professional development needs of its members by providing information, education and ideas to assist association executives in their profession. For more information, visit www.vsae.org.