CPA Observation Post

Survey: Finances Causing Rifts for American Couples

Financial matters are the most common source of discord among American couples, prompting an average of three arguments per month, according to a national telephone survey conducted for the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) by Harris Interactive. >>Read More

AICPA Poll: Cell Phones Matter More than Food

When it comes to saving money, Americans would rather change their eating habits than give up their cell phones, according to a new survey conducted for the American Institute of CPAs by Harris Interactive. >Read More

IRS Steps up Efforts to Combat Identity Theft

The Internal Revenue Service has increased its battle against identity theft, creating a special section on its Web site dedicated to helping growing numbers of tax fraud victims. On this page, you will find a wide range of information.

Depending upon your personal circumstances, the information found here will cover a variety of scenarios involving identity theft, ranging from contacting us with a case of identity theft to providing tips to help keep your records safe. Read More>>

Americans Raiding Retirement Funds Early

Nearly one-fifth of full-time employed Americans have raided retirement accounts in the past year to cover emergencies, according to a national Bankrate survey. Despite increasing signs of a stabilizing U.S. economy, 19% of Americans -- including 17% of full-time workers -- have been compelled to take money from their retirement savings in the last year to cover urgent financial needs, the Financial Security Index found. Read More>>

Worker Confidence on Retirement at 20-Year Low

More than a quarter of U.S. workers said they’re “not at all confident” about their ability to afford a comfortable retirement, the highest percentage in two decades, according to an Employee Benefit Research Institute report. Read More>>

Special Program Provides a 'Do-It-Herself' Approach to Financial Planning

For the past several years, the New Jersey Society of CPAs has addressed women's financial planning issues with a day-long financial planning seminar. This year’s interactive program, Do It Herself - A Journey to Financial Freedom, will be held on Saturday, January 29 at Caldwell College in Caldwell, New Jersey. Learn More>>

U.S. Comptroller General: Financial literacy, high-risk projects top GAO priorities

Newly confirmed Comptroller General Gene Dodaro said the Government Accountability Office's priorities will be to continue to support Congress, to resolve high-risk problems and to expand financial literacy. Read More>>

Personal bankruptcies reached a 5-year high in 2010

There were 1.53 million personal bankruptcies in the U.S. in 2010, a 9% increase from 2009 and the most since the 2005 change in U.S. bankruptcy laws. Residents in some Southwestern states filed for bankruptcy in higher numbers, with bankruptcies up 25% in California and about 24% in Arizona. Read More>>

Registration is open for "Do It Herself" financial literacy conference for women

Registration is now open for Do It Herself – A Journey to Financial Freedom, the NJSCPA's annual financial literacy conference for women. The annual event will be held on Saturday, January 29 at Caldwell College from 8:45am to 3:15pm. The keynote speaker this year is Julie Bond Genovese, author of Nothing Short of Joy. Visit the NJSCPA's financial website, MoneyMattersNJ.com, for more information.

CPAs offer ways to avoid having information stolen

On Tuesday, October 19, NJSCPA members Bimal Gupta and Peter Herbst, who are CPAs with the Parsippany Tax and Accounting Corporation, gave a presentation in Frankford on how Sussex County residents can avoid becoming victims of identity theft. The free presentation was offered by the Sussex County Coalition for Financial Education as part of National Protect Your Identity Week, which was Oct. 17-23. Download New Jersey Herald Article