Personal financial planning news and resources

TOPICS

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.

March 1, 2019

Maximizing the higher education tax credits

A counterintuitive strategy can save taxes by including otherwise excludable scholarships in gross income.

February 14, 2019

Clients’ top retirement fear: Running out of money

Nearly one-third (30%) of financial planners say their clients’ top retirement fear is running out of money, according to a recent AICPA survey of 631 CPA financial planners.

February 1, 2019

Which benefits do employees find most financially beneficial?

Health insurance and 401(k) matches led the pack.

February 1, 2019

Finding out if one can prosper investing in loans

A monthly look at applications, gadgets, and other technology that can improve a CPA’s job and life.

January 24, 2019

Americans’ personal financial satisfaction dips in fourth quarter

The AICPA’s Personal Financial Satisfaction Index (PFSi) declined for the first time in two years in the fourth quarter of 2018, largely due to the stock market’s end-of-year downturn.

January 22, 2019

Don’t miss the new Medicare Advantage enrollment period

It can be helpful for CPA financial planners to reach out to clients to be sure they know about the opportunity to review their coverage and make recommended changes.

December 13, 2018

How tax reform is changing clients’ financial plans

CPA financial planners named charitable giving, business structure and estate plans as the areas of clients’ financial plans they have had to adjust most frequently following the passage of the TCJA, according to a recent survey.

December 1, 2018

Investors trust auditors, but confidence in US markets drops

Audited financial information also gets high marks.

November 28, 2018

Which benefits do employees find most financially beneficial?

Eighty percent of Americans would choose a job with benefits over one with no benefits that paid 30% more, according to a Harris Poll survey on behalf of the AICPA.

November 12, 2018

Help clients save money on prescription drugs

CPAs are well-equipped to help clients understand the intricacies of Medicare Part D.

October 25, 2018

Financial satisfaction measure hits record for 5th straight quarter

The AICPA’s Personal Financial Satisfaction Index (PFSi) reached the highest point in its 25-year history at a value of 32 in the third quarter of 2018, a 3.1-point (10.7%) increase from the previous quarter.

October 15, 2018

The Medicare Part D coverage gap is ending

CPAs may want to revisit their clients’ Medicare elections, particularly now that Part D changes are on the horizon.

October 1, 2018

Don’t let the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period pass you by

the Annual Enrollment Period is an opportunity for clients to be proactive in their Medicare planning.

October 1, 2018

PFP Distinguished Service Award recognizes sustained volunteer contributions

Jean-Luc Bourdon, principal at BrightPath Wealth Planning LLC, received the AICPA’s 2017 Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Distinguished Service Award.

October 1, 2018

Young CPAs honored with Personal Financial Planning Standing Ovation

Seventeen young CPAs were recognized through the Personal Financial Planning Standing Ovation program for making notable contributions to the profession.

October 1, 2018

Scholarship covers estate planning conference costs

Chris DeBlanc, tax supervisor at RSM US LLP, received the 2018 P. Thomas Austin Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Division Scholarship.

October 1, 2018

Sarenski awarded for longtime contributions to tax and financial planning

Theodore J. Sarenski, CEO and president of Blue Ocean Strategic Capital LLC, received the AICPA’s Sidney Kess Award for Excellence in Continuing Education.

FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

4 ways solo practitioners can stand out

Five years ago, a grieving Angel Zhen started his own CPA firm with no clients and no revenue. Today, he has 300 clients, $600,000 in revenue and 12 weeks of annual vacation. In this JofA article, he shares how he set up his firm and how you could do the same.