Personal financial planning news and resources

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October 1, 2019

Great time for a GRAT

Grantor retained annuity trusts may be an optimal wealth-transfer vehicle for many.

October 1, 2019

Ward receives P. Thomas Austin PFP Scholarship

Richard L. Ward, president of Capital Configuration LLC in Pittsburgh, received the 2019 P. Thomas Austin Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Scholarship.

October 1, 2019

Children’s average allowance in 2019: $120 a month

An overwhelming 92% of American parents say it is very important that children understand how to effectively manage their money, according to a new poll conducted for the AICPA by The Harris Poll.

September 25, 2019

IRS issues 2019 to 2020 per-diem rates for traveling away from home

The IRS issued its annual notice specifying the special per-diem rates, including the transportation industry meal and incidental expenses rates, the rate for the incidental-expenses-only deduction, and the rates and list of high-cost localities for purposes of the high-low substantiation method.

September 18, 2019

Auditors get high marks, but non-US market optimism sags

Retail investors’ confidence in audited financial information has risen to near record highs, but confidence in markets outside the United States has plunged.

September 3, 2019

Financial planning for clients who have suffered traumatic brain injuries

CPAs need to be prepared to assist clients and their families facing new financial problems due to changing health care needs.

August 28, 2019

8 recession signals to monitor

Take a look at data points market watchers are following for signals of a potential U.S. recession.

August 26, 2019

7 in 10 young workers prefer freedom to job security

Seventy percent of young adult job seekers say the freedom of being their own boss is worth more than the benefit of job security working for someone else, according to research conducted by MAVY Poll on behalf of the AICPA.

August 12, 2019

How CPAs can help family businesses with succession planning

Jonathan Flack, CPA, discusses why leaders of family businesses have such a difficult time with succession planning and what CPAs can do to help them.

August 12, 2019

The non-CPAs every CPA should have in their network

CPAs who also hold PFS credentials offer advice for establishing an extended network of other professionals to help serve clients.

August 1, 2019

Digital assets after death

Estate planning should account for a client’s digital assets, which often have significant financial or sentimental value.

July 25, 2019

Stock market surge boosts financial satisfaction

Stock market growth, among other factors, has kept Americans’ personal financial satisfaction positive in Q2 of 2019, according to the AICPA’s Personal Financial Satisfaction Index (PFSi).

July 8, 2019

The father of the 401(k) on how his invention has reshaped retirement

Ted Benna talks about how and why he came up with the 401(k), its advantages and drawbacks, how he’d change it if given the chance, and how it’s reshaped retirement.

June 17, 2019

Prepare clients for a sudden elder health care crisis

This article discusses the challenges your clients could face when suddenly needing to move a parent to long-term care, along with ways you can help them prepare.

June 10, 2019

What to say to grieving clients

Grief expert Amy Florian, CEO of consulting company Corgenius and a speaker at ENGAGE, suggests some dos and don’ts when supporting clients who have suffered a loss.

May 13, 2019

4 ways to save time in Excel

This article offers tricks to make you more efficient and effective with the spreadsheet application.

May 1, 2019

How the ‘sandwich generation’ affects retirement

CPAs can help clients who are trying to save money while also dealing with shifting family demographics.

May 1, 2019

Avoid tax traps with a timely appraisal

New basis-consistency requirements make defensible valuations even more important.

May 1, 2019

Optimizing residential real estate deductions

The new Sec. 199A safe harbor and tangible property regulations offer ways for landlords to reduce taxable income from rentals.

April 25, 2019

Personal financial satisfaction up in first quarter after market rebound

Americans’ personal financial satisfaction reached a record high in the first quarter of 2019, according to the AICPA’s proprietary Personal Financial Satisfaction Index.