Saving for retirement tops consumer financial concerns, say CPA financial planners.

Retirement is the number one personal financial planning concern, regardless of age, according to an informal survey of CPAs at the AICPA's 2007 Personal Financial Planning Conference.

Surprisingly, it is a major concern for career builders--those 25 to 34 years of age--with the more immediate pressures of education, home buying and debt management following close behind.

More than 10% of the approximately 500 CPAs attending the conference answered open-ended questions regarding what they believed to be their clients' top three personal financial planning concerns for 2007. Their responses covered a wide range, from outliving investments to the effects of the global economy to eldercare and long-term care insurance. However, saving for retirement topped all other concerns as cited by four out of five CPAs.

To help educate Americans about debt management and the importance of savings, the AICPA launched a national financial literacy initiative in May 2004 (see related article on page 1). This award-winning effort, 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy (www.360financialliteracy.org), offers tips and tools to help consumers of all ages manage their personal finances. A related campaign, Feed the Pig (www.FeedthePig.org), is designed specifically for career builders to help them begin saving for retirement.

Free Infocasts on Management Accounting Topics Being Presented

Following the successful 2006 series, the AICPA is offering new Infocasts based on current and upcoming Management Accounting Guidelines. The Infocasts are free and one CPE credit is available for a nominal fee. The Infocasts will run from 12:00 p.m.--1:15 p.m., ET, on the following dates:

* Apr. 19--IT Investments: Capturing the Return, will illustrate how companies can identify and measure the payoffs of information technology investments.

* May 17--Internet Marketing: Evaluating the Value Proposition, will provide an overview of methods to measure the value of Internet marketing initiatives.

The Infocasts are sponsored by the Business, Industry and Government Team, along with CMA Canada and CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants). Go to www.cpa2biz.com for more information and to register. AICPA members can now download free copies of the Management Accounting Guidelines at http://fmcenter.aicpa.org/Resources/ Management+Accounting+Guidelines.

Courageous Act by AICPA Staff Member in North Carolina Office HemMed

Marcella Wyler, an AICPA finance team member, risked her life on Feb. 14 by jumping into a freezing Durham, N.C., swamp to save a woman whose car was upside down in several feet of water alter an accident. Wyler and two other rescuers jumped into the water and pulled the woman to safety. To honor and recognize this tremendous act of courage, the AICPA Board of Directors issued a resolution commending Wyler for her heroism and sacrifice in saving another human being. A framed plaque of the resolution was presented to her in Feb. What's more, her act of bravery was heralded by many media outlets.