Financial Fitness Calendar Wins Public Relations Award

The Virginia Society of CPAs (VSCPA) won the top honor, called the "Bronze Medallion," in the publications category of the 2007 Virginia Public Relations Awards, a statewide awards competition sponsored by the Richmond Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The special awards dinner was held June 14, 2007.

"The awards honor Virginia's best work in public relations," said Jill Vaughn, APR, PRSA Richmond president. "Virginia's PR professionals continue to produce high-caliber work, and this year was no exception."

There are two award divisions: Practices and Tactics. Practices are entire communications campaigns, while Tactics are specific components of a campaign. Multiple categories are included in the two divisions, but each category can have only one "Medallion" winner — the top award in a category. The "Best in Show" selects the best of the best of all "Medallion" winners.

The VSCPA received the Bronze Medallion award in the publications category for its 12-month 2007 Financial Fitness Wall Calendar — a consumer education tool 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 other state CPA societies. Approximately 100,000 calendars are distributed nationwide annually.

The Financial Fitness Wall Calendar is part of the VSCPA's award-winning financial literacy initiative called Financial Fitness. Through community outreach and education, the campaign is part of a national effort of the CPA profession to educate and increase knowledge of Virginians and all Americans — from school children to retirees — on topics related to wise money management and fiscal responsibility.

Highlights of the VSCPA's Financial Fitness initiative include:

• Governor's Proclamation recognizing April 2007 as the first-ever Financial Literacy Month in the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Consumer Web site, www.FinancialFitness.org, to serve as a clearinghouse of financial resources for the public
• Free consumer workshops, led by CPA experts, to educate on money management topics. The workshops include a special series for women and a new series for young adults.
• Speakers Bureau that provides CPAs to speak for free on financial topics and educate their communities
• Leading Virginia Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy — a nonprofit that aims to improve the financial literacy of Virginians, especially students and young adults. The organization has more than 120 members and holds the Virginia Financial Literacy Summit.
• Pro bono community service programs, including VATaxHelp.com Web site and free tax season e-mail program, NBC12 Tax Help Call-in, Roanoke Public Radio & TV Tax Shows, Military Tax Assistance and Virginia Disaster Recovery Assistance.

Now in its 60th year, the prestigious Virginia Public Relations Awards program recognizes stellar public relations and communications activities based on excellence and innovation in research, planning, execution and evaluation. The judges were members of the Maine Public Relations Council.

"The VSCPA is honored to receive this wonderful recognition from PRSA Richmond for our Financial Fitness Calendar," said VSCPA Vice President of Member & Public Relations Tina Lambert, CAE. "Virginia CPAs feel so passionately about financial literacy and are thrilled to offer this valuable educational tool as a community service to thousands of Virginians."

For more information on the VSCPA Financial Fitness program or to request a CPA to speak on financial literacy topics to your organization, please contact VSCPA Media & Public Relations Specialist Shawnte Reynolds at (800) 733-8272.

The Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA) is the leading professional association dedicated to enhancing the success of CPAs. Founded in 1909, the VSCPA has approximately 8,300 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."