Pro Bono

The AICPA launched an online database ( http://volunteers.aicpa.org/financialliteracy ) where CPAs now can register as volunteers in 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy, the Institute’s program to improve Americans’ ability to manage their personal finances (see JofA , Aug.04, page 14, and www.aicpa.org/pubs/jofa/aug2004/special.htm ). Both member and nonmember CPAs are eligible to participate. Those who sign up will receive information on the profession’s national and state financial literacy activities as well as literature for making presentations about the program. The Institute will contact candidates whose geographic location, experience and areas of interest match volunteering opportunities.

Members of the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants (FICPA), some holding the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) credential, provided free financial counseling services by phone—and, sometimes, in person—to those suffering losses caused by recent hurricanes. The CPA volunteers helped victims—who had called the FICPA’s hurricane help line at 800-342-3197—file insurance claims, report casualty losses on income tax returns and plan cash flow. Disaster Recovery: A Guide to Financial Issues, which the AICPA and the National Endowment for Financial Education had prepared for the American Red Cross ( www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/FinRecovery ), was another source of information.