VSCPA Offers Free Financial Advice Via E-mail

The Virginia Society of CPAs (VSCPA) is pleased to launch the new “Ask a CPA E-mail Program.” Experienced, licensed certified public accountants (CPA) will provide answers to personal financial planning questions within three business days. This free e-mail program is open to all Virginia residents who want to improve their money management skills. Example topics include general money management, retirement and estate planning, buying a home, credit, investments, insurance, taxes and more.

The “Ask a CPA E-mail Program” 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:

• Obtaining a Governor’s Proclamation recognizing April 2007 as the first-ever Financial Literacy Month in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Managing a consumer Web site, www.FinancialFitness.org, to serve as a clearinghouse of financial resources for the public.
• Creating a 12-month Financial Fitness Wall Calendar loaded with year-round financial advice, important financial dates to remember, definitions of financial terms and more.
• Holding 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.
• Offering a Speakers Bureau that provides CPAs for free to speak on financial topics and educate their communities.
• Leading the Virginia Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy — a nonprofit which aims to improve financial literacy of Virginians, especially students and young adults. The organization has more than 100 members and holds the Virginia Financial Literacy Summit.
• Providing numerous 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.

"Recent statistics reveal that Americans, including Virginians, know little about savings, debt, credit, retirement and other money management basics,” said Tina Lambert, CAE, VSCPA Vice President of Member & Public Relations. “The Virginia Society of CPAs is pleased to offer the 'Ask a CPA E-mail Program' to the community as part of a national effort of the CPA profession to help people improve their financial health."

For more information on the VSCPA Financial Fitness program, please contact VSCPA Media & Public Relations Specialist Shawnte Reynolds at sreynolds@vscpa.com or (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.”