Personal financial planning news and resources

TOPICS

May 15, 2018

Fewer Americans delaying life events for financial reasons

Just 35% of Americans said they had delayed a major life event for financial reasons, compared with 51% in 2015, according to an AICPA survey.

May 7, 2018

How CPAs can help prevent elder fraud

CPAs who work with seniors offer advice on how to keep older clients from falling prey to fraud.

May 7, 2018

Future-proof your tax practice by adding planning services

Consumers are seeking a primary point of contact to address the full scope of their financial needs.

May 1, 2018

Cash-flow-based software not always better

A reader questions the long-term effectiveness of this software for retirement planning.

April 26, 2018

Americans’ financial satisfaction hits high mark

Despite recent stock market volatility, the AICPA’s Personal Financial Satisfaction Index (PFSi) reached a record high in the first quarter of 2018.

April 19, 2018

The ideal time to review your finances

Having too large a tax refund, or having to pay too much in taxes, can be a sign that your financial plan needs revising.

April 16, 2018

Add value with planning advisory services

CPA financial planners share questions their clients commonly ask and how they address them.

April 3, 2018

How consumers are changing their behavior to combat ID theft

Four of out five respondents say they’ve changed their behavior in response to the threat of cyberbreaches affecting credit card and debit card processing systems.

April 2, 2018

Talk to your tax clients now about charitable giving

Without guidance, clients can end up giving to charity in ways that aren’t tax-efficient.

April 2, 2018

How to help clients rebound from a natural disaster

CPAs share tips on how to provide clients with the emotional support and financial know-how.

March 19, 2018

High-deductible Medigap plan makes sense for some

Medigap High-F provides the same coverage as Medigap F but has much lower premiums.

March 1, 2018

Divorce traps: Portfolios harboring unrealized gains

In a divorce, asset types matter tremendously, and small details can skew a distribution that looks fair based on the numbers alone.

March 1, 2018

How 65 became the default retirement age

For decades, 65 has been the goalpost most everyone in the labor force worked toward for retirement. But why 65?

March 1, 2018

Clients are living longer: How will your practice adapt?

With the over-100 population swelling in the United States, CPA financial planners need to focus on guiding clients toward a longer retirement.

February 28, 2018

How the new tax law will change wealthy Americans’ financial plans

Three in five affluent Americans (63%) said they’re very or somewhat likely to change their personal financial plans based on the new federal tax law, according to a poll conducted on behalf of the AICPA.

February 7, 2018

Private student loan debt: What CPAs need to know

We examine what potential borrowers need to know when considering taking out private student loans.

February 1, 2018

Bring more value to your clients with charitable planning

CPAs can forge stronger relationships with clients by offering them a service they expect and appreciate: charitable planning.

February 1, 2018

Help small businesses choose the right employee retirement plans

Consider these vital factors when helping owners of small businesses select a retirement plan. A handy comparison chart shows what the most popular plans entail.

February 1, 2018

How to choose the right software for retirement planning

Weigh these factors when choosing financial planning software to help clients with retirement planning.

February 1, 2018

Help clients balance retirement and education planning

Clients will naturally want to help their children afford higher education, but it’s important that they not jeopardize plans for retirement by doing so. Here are some general principles to keep in mind as you advise families faced with these complex decisions.

FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

How to replace running totals in Excel

Accountants routinely copy down formulas in Excel to track cumulative balances, such as cash flow and retained earnings, but there is a better way. This JofA Technology Q&A article shows the way with step-by-step instructions and a video walkthrough.