VANCOUVER, March 25, 2015 /CNW/ - Financial literacy and an extensive outreach program coordinated by Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada) took centre stage last night at a special event in Vancouver.
The evening served as both a volunteer appreciation and awareness reception for CPA Canada's Community Connect program – a national financial literacy initiative. There are 11,000 professional accountants registered, trained and prepared to conduct free financial seminars in communities across the country as part of the program. The goal is to help Canadians gain the skills, knowledge and confidence required to make the best financial decisions based on their individual circumstances.
Canada's financial literacy leader, Jane Rooney, was the key note speaker.
"CPA Canada's Community Connect program is instrumental in achieving our goal of improving financial literacy in BC and throughout Canada," said Rooney. "I congratulate the impressive number of CPA volunteers who are stepping up to provide Canadians with free financial education sessions."
Community Connect is now into its third year. The program played a key role in earning CPA Canada international recognition from the Institute for Financial Literacy, based in the United States. In 2014, CPA Canada became the first non-U.S. entity to be named Organization of the Year in the non-profit sector by the Institute.
A variety of Community Connect session topics fall under the financial literacy umbrella including taxation, estate planning, saving strategies and teaching kids about money.
"It is the passion of our volunteer members that has been absolutely critical to the program's success," said Cairine Wilson, vice-president, corporate citizenship, CPA Canada "With their assistance, we have propelled this program to the forefront of financial literacy undertakings in Canada and look forward to expanding its reach in the year ahead."
In fact, CPA Canada and the office of the Financial Literacy Leader are working together to develop and launch a workplace program.
"The workplace provides an effective avenue to reach people," explained Wilson. "Workplace programs allow individuals to receive valuable information in a convenient manner."
CPA Canada is also targeting Community Connect financial education sessions aimed specifically at post-secondary students and will consult the Canada Revenue Agency to develop new sessions on tax literacy for students, newcomers and business owners.
About CPA Canada
Canada's accounting profession is uniting under a new single designation, Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA). The profession's national body, Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada), represents and supports more than 190,000 members across the country. CPAs are valued for their financial and tax expertise, strategic thinking, business insight, management skills and leadership. CPA Canada has consolidated the operations of three national accounting bodies: The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Certified General Accountants of Canada and The Society of Management Accountants of Canada. CPA Canada conducts research into current and emerging business issues and supports the setting of accounting, auditing and assurance standards for business, not-for-profit organizations and government. It also issues guidance on control and governance, publishes professional literature and develops certification and continuing education programs.
SOURCE CPA Canada
Image with caption: "Jane Rooney, Canada's financial literacy leader, helps Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada celebrate its successful Community Connect outreach program Tuesday, March 24, 2015, in Vancouver. The national program helps Canadians gain the knowledge and confidence required to make informed financial decisions. (CNW Group/CPA Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150325_C7575_PHOTO_EN_13563.jpg
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