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360 Degrees of Financial Literacy

360 Degrees of Financial Literacy is a multi-faceted effort, spearheaded by the AICPA, with the support of state CPA societies. The program encourages CPAs to take a broad leadership role in volunteering to educate the American public, from school children to retirees, on financial topics that apply specifically to their particular stage of life.

The 360 Degree Life Stage Approach
The new 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy program provides a comprehensive approach to financial education. It sends the message that financial education should be a lifelong endeavor—from a child putting pennies in a piggy bank to adults reaching a secure retirement.

Life stages include:

• K-12
• Advanced Education
• Job Market
• Military & Reserves
• Establishing a Household
• Parents
• Homeowner
• Entrepreneurs
• Life Crisis
• Sandwich Generation (Caring for elderly parents while raising your children)
• Retirement

NSCPA Financial Presentations:
Elementary School
High School
18-25 Year-olds
Contact the NSCPA for Financial Literacy Kits

360 Degrees of Financial Literacy Web site
A new Web site will furnish financial literacy education tailored to the 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy life stage approach. When the site is mature, consumers will find information they can use to support sound financial decision making at every stage of their lives. The site will also contain resources for CPAs to use in educating and supporting consumers in making significant financial choices. For more information, please visit the 360 Degree website.

CPA Ambassador Program
Launched by the AICPA in cooperation with state CPA societies, the Ambassador Program trains CPAs in four important areas: financial literacy, small business success, student recruitment and restoring confidence in the expertise and integrity of the CPA. CPA Ambassadors are encouraged to educate people in their communities about these subjects, either through speaking engagements or media interviews.

Disaster Recovery Guide
To help Americans regain financial balance following the devastation of disaster, the AICPA and the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE), with support from the AICPA Foundation, jointly developed a recovery guide. More than 100,000 copies have been distributed free of charge through local Red Cross chapters and state CPA societies, and more than 600,000 hits have been made to the Web page. Available online at: www.redcross.org/services/disaster/beprepared/FinRecovery/acknowledgements.html.

iPACK
The AICPA introduced the CPA Information Package (iPACK) to provide effective, easy-to-use tools that teachers can utilize to give students a good grounding in financial literacy. This award-winning collection includes a video, teacher’s education handbook and student career guides showing students the importance of understanding financial concepts and how they relate to real-world situations.

Start Here. Go Places
Building on the success of this award-winning student recruitment program, the AICPA recently added a new resource. The Money Means Business game lets students of all ages practice new financial skills. A teacher’s guide is under development. Visit www.startheregoplaces.com.

Visit www.aicpa.org/financialliteracy for additional information.

The U.S. Department of Treasury also offers recourses at http://www.themint.org/