Many Americans lack a basic understanding of how to prepare for their short and long-term financial needs. CPAs can provide tips on how to better manage your money, improve savings and investment strategies, prepare for disasters and save on taxes. The MSCPA has created the following programs and initiatives to improve financial literacy across Massachusetts. Utilize these programs and learn how a CPA can impact your financial status.
The MSCPA's 2012 Financial Literacy Calendar is a free resource that is part of the MSCPA's initiative to improve the financial health all Massachusetts residents. Each month features a different topic with simple tips to help you improve your current financial habits. You can download the 2012 calendar, request your free copy by emailing Elizabeth Emanuelson or pick one up at schools and libraries throughout the state.
Common Cents, a free e-newsletter of the Massachsuetts Society of CPAs, provides consumers with useful financial advice, articles and tips on issues affecting their everyday lives. To subscribe to the e-newsletter, please e-mail Elizabeth Emanuelson.
The MSCPA is offering free personal income tax assistance for members of the Massachusetts National Guard that are deployed overseas. Be prepared to show military / dependent I.D. and deployment orders as proof of membership and deployment. Interested members or their families should contact Kara Kieran at 800.392.6145.
The MSCPA has several brochures available to help you better plan for financial success:
Are you looking for a dynamic speaker to discuss current accounting issues at your group’s next meeting? Inivte a CPA. As a public service to clubs, chambers of commerce, businesses, civic and educational organizations, the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountant’s Speakers Bureau provides CPAs to serve as speakers - free of charge. MSCPA members are professionals qualified to speak on a variety of business and personal financial topics. Career presentations are also available for all ages of students.
If you would like to request a speaker for your event, please complete and submit the speaker request form. If you have any questions contact Kara Kieran, kkieran@MSCPAonline.org.
Boston.com features an Ask a CPA Forum not only providing explanations of new tax legislation, tax filing tips and deduction information, but in areas other than tax such as all areas of personal financial planning and business management.
While most people use the terms accountant and CPA interchangeably, there are several big differences. The CPA credential carries enormous weight in business and financial circles. CPAs are considered some of business’ most trusted advisers offering a large variety of services. Specifically, small business owners rely on their CPA for business counsel ranking just slightly behind one’s spouse or family member.
The Find A CPA Directory is an interactive database of participating MSCPA members. Individuals and business owners can use this directory to find the perfect CPA to partner with. Find A CPA in your area that specializes in a particular service or industry.
MSCPA members have dedicated their time and expertise to countless non-profit organizations throughout Massachusetts. The MSCPA posts volunteer opportunities to the Web site free of charge and if space allows, will also list it in the Society’s weekly e-mail newsletter distributed to more than 8,000 accounting professionals.
Download state and federal tax forms, "How-to" publications, the latest tax changes and the latest IRS and DOR tax publications.
Wondering how long to keep your records? This publication was developed by the MSCPA’s Federal Taxation Committee.
This online publication is offered to public as a service of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), AICPA Foundation, the American Red Cross, and the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE). This booklet is written to help the public regain a sense of financial balance following a disaster by offering suggestions on steps to take immediately, what to do in the initial weeks and months, and how to begin planning again for the future.
For tax season, the MSCPA partners with Boston.com to sponsor the online Tax Center. The "Tax Center," operational from January 15 - April 15, includes tax tips, tax questions and answers, related articles, and an interactive "Ask a CPA" forum. The public is able to ask CPAs their personal tax and finance questions through the online forum and during live chat sessions. For the remainder of the year, the MSCPA hosts the "Ask A CPA" portion of the Tax Center. View the questions asked in the Ask a CPA Forum. Visit the archived Tax Center.
The goal of the campaign is to encourage the 40 million Americans age 25 to 34 to take control of their personal finances. The campaign, Feed the Pig™, is a new component of the 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy effort which aims to educate Americans about how financial issues affect their lives.
A national volunteer effort of the nation’s Certified Public Accountants to help Americans understand their personal finances and develop money management skills. It focuses on financial education as a lifelong endeavor- from children learning about the value of money to adults reaching a secure retirement.