Personal financial planning news and resources

TOPICS

February 1, 2018

Ted Sarenski, CPA/PFS

Helping clients figure out what kind of lives they want to lead in retirement is a critical step in personal financial planning, according to Ted Sarenski, CPA/PFS.

January 25, 2018

Student loan debt: Everything you need to know but were too afraid to ask

In part one of a two-part podcast, we take a look at what potential borrowers need to know when considering taking out a government-funded student loan.

January 25, 2018

Americans’ financial well-being continues upward trend

Americans’ personal financial satisfaction increased steadily throughout 2017, reaching a 24-year peak in the fourth quarter of 2017, according to the AICPA’s Personal Financial Satisfaction Index.

January 22, 2018

How to balance costs of parenthood and retirement

This column explains how personal financial planners can help make sure their clients’ finances hold up to the costs involved with raising children.

January 8, 2018

Could this simple proposal help boost retirement savings?

Auto portability could help prevent retirement account leakage when workers change jobs.

December 19, 2017

Keep pets from chewing a hole in your budget

Seventy-six percent of pet owners would make a financial sacrifice to rescue a pet from a health crisis, an AICPA survey found.

December 11, 2017

How to help clients avoid post-disaster donation fraud

CPAs can help their clients avoid falling victim to fraud ensuring donations are made to legitimate 501(c)(3) organizations.

December 11, 2017

How to get the most out of HSAs

CPAs who are personal financial planners can explain the benefits of HSAs to their clients.

December 5, 2017

Debt is causing Americans significant stress and anxiety

More than half of Americans with debt said that owing money has had a negative impact on their lives, according to a recent AICPA survey.

November 20, 2017

What CPAs should know about ‘gray divorce’

This column discusses things to keep in mind when working with older couples who are divorcing.

November 15, 2017

Ways to stop elder financial abuse before it starts

This article looks at common schemes and ways CPAs can help their clients avoid becoming victims.

November 6, 2017

6 common client financial mistakes

This article identifies blunders CPAs see clients make and offers ways to prevent those problems.

November 1, 2017

Exploring the estate tax: Part 2

This second part of a two-part article on everything practitioners should know about the estate tax covers estate tax planning techniques, including the marital deduction and the use of various types of trusts.

October 26, 2017

Americans’ financial well-being reaches record high

Stock market gains and a strong job market brought Americans’ financial well-being in the third quarter of 2017 to its highest level in 24 years.

October 16, 2017

CPAs reveal their most common client questions

Clients also turn to CPAs with questions about all kinds of financial matters, particularly about their companies and accounting.

October 2, 2017

Make clients aware of their options for student loan debt relief

CPAs armed with the right information are well-positioned to help clients with student loans save a considerable amount of money.

October 1, 2017

Americans’ financial well-being reaches 10-year high

Decreased inflation and a strong stock market drive up the index.

October 1, 2017

Exploring the estate tax: Part 1

This first installment of a two-part article on everything practitioners should know about the estate tax includes the unified estate tax rules and exemption amounts, estate valuation, portability, and what’s included in the gross estate.

September 18, 2017

Why you should discuss the nonfinancial aspects of retirement with your clients

Other keys to a great retirement include clarity of purpose, well-being, connectedness, giving back, and pursuing one’s passions.

September 5, 2017

How to avoid costly tax traps with inherited IRAs

This article helps CPAs familiarize themselves with the rules surrounding inherited IRAs and the best ways to deal with these accounts.

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.