Financial Literacy Letter to Governor-Elect Bob McDonnell
December 22, 2009
The Honorable Robert McDonnell
P.O. Box 588
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Dear Governor-elect McDonnell:
On behalf of the 8,900 members of the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA), I am writing to congratulate you on your election as Virginia governor, and also introduce you to an important issue supported by the Commonwealth’s CPAs — financial literacy education.
Last year, Gov. Tim Kaine approved the Virginia Board of Education’s (VBOE) revisions to the “Requirements for Graduation” (section 8 VAC 20-131-50) under the Virginia Standards of Accreditation (SOA) to mandate a one-credit course in economics and personal finance as a requirement for high school graduation in Virginia. The requirement will allow Virginia’s students to receive education on personal finance, economics, wise money management, budgeting and more — imperative in light of today’s financial crisis.
The course marks a five-year effort by the VSCPA and the 90 organizations of the Virginia Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy to implement a financial literacy graduation requirement, and demonstrates a commitment by the state of Virginia to ensure its citizens enter the workforce with personal finance skills.
Through its award-winning Financial Fitness community service initiative, designed to improve the fiscal health of Virginians, the VSCPA requests a governor’s proclamation each year to recognize April as Virginia Financial Literacy Month. The commemorative month, along with our other pro bono outreach activities, builds awareness for the importance of wise money management as well as recognizes and encourages other Virginia organizations to make a difference in financial education. We look forward to working with you to continue this effort and promote financial literacy during your term.
Again, congratulations on assuming the governor’s office. If we can be of any service to you during your term, on financial literacy or other issues needing the input of a CPA, please don’t hesitate to contact Tina Lambert, CAE, VSCPA vice president of member and public relations, at (804) 612-9416 or tlambert@vscpa.com.
Sincerely,
James K. Walker, CPA
Chair, VSCPA Board of Directors
cc: Bill Bosher, Chris Saxman, Eric Finkbeiner, Bill Axselle, Travis Hill
LAST UPDATED 12/22/2009
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