Visitors

VISITORS

Welcome to the Brazos Valley Chapter of Certified Public Accountants (BVCPA) website. The BVCPA is the Brazos Valley’s local chapter of the Texas State Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA).

We are a professional organization committed to the welfare of our member CPA’s as well as initiatives such as Financial Literacy which benefit the greater Brazos Valley.

CHILDREN'S BOOKS DONATED

The Brazos Valley Chapter Chapter of Certified Public Accountants (BVCPA) is pleased to announce our recent donation of 12 books each to the Bryan and Larry J. Ringer Public Libraries. All titles donated are found on the Oregon’s Office of the State Treasurer Recommended Reading List, and are available to help keep your children reading and learning that money really doesn’t grow on trees. We have also donated a DVD, “The Money Mammals,” to each library. This DVD is designed to teach children about money by helping them to learn to share, save, and spend smart. Our nation’s recent economic difficulties have highlighted the ever-present need to treat financial literacy as a priority for children, and area CPA’s are proud to assist parents in doing so. You can find the following titles at each of the two aforementioned libraries, courtesy of the BVCPA:

Books:

-Arthur Breaks the Bank

-Arthur’s Funny Money

-Arthur’s Honey Bear

-Beatrice’s Goat

-The Berenstain Bears’ Mad, Mad Mad Toy Craze

-The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble With Money

-A Dollar For Penny

-How to Make a Million

-I Shop With My Daddy

-Just Shopping With Mom

-A Quarter From The Tooth Fairy

-Tight Times

For a brief description of each book, please visit amazon.com.

DVD:

-The Money Mammals

For more information on the Money Mammals, please visit www.themoneymammals.com/.

We are pleased to offer, in conjunction with the TSCPA, a helpful new publication, When Baby Makes Three. When Baby Makes Three is a nine-month checklist to get your growing family’s personal finances in order. While pregnancy is an exciting time to prepare for your little one’s birth, and is the time for picking out names and painting the nursery, we also encourage you to use this most special period of your life to get your family’s financial house in order before bringing home Baby. We hope you find this When Baby Makes Three helpful during this most wonderful time. And, most importantly, on behalf our entire Chapter, ‘Congratulations!’”

Another PUBLIC SERVICE is the personal finance web site www.ValueYourMoney.org. where you will find articles related to personal finance with links to the full articles on our Web site or on other sites. Fasten your seat belt for information about important money matters to help you soar toward financial success and encourage your clients, colleagues, family, and friends to get their ticket to financial well-being online at Peanuts and beverage service optional.

Welcome to the Texas Society of CPAs’ (TSCPA) exclusive monthly e-newsletter Take Off!. In your virtual seatback, you will find articles related to personal finance with links to the full articles on our Web site or on other sites. Fasten your seat belt for information about important money matters to help you soar toward financial success and encourage your clients, colleagues, family, and friends to get their ticket to financial well-being online at www.ValueYourMoney.org. Peanuts and beverage service optional.

MAKE FINANCIAL LITERACY A FAMILY AFFAIR

Keep financial literacy alive this summer, even though school won’t be in session. Teach your grade-school-age children the principles of spending and saving with Budget Buzz: Be Smart About Saving from AICPA and Weekly Reader. This free educational program includes two hands-on activities and a poster and can be used at home or in the classroom. Be sure to join our Facebook group, Texans for Financial Literacy, to pick up weekly tips and techniques about smart money management and the latest news on saving and smart spending.

Budget Buzz: Be Smart About Saving http://ceae.aicpa.org/Resources/Career+Awareness/Budget+Buzz.htm

Texans for Financial Literacy on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=25758258540

BORROWING FROM A COMPANY RETIREMENT PLAN

The troubled economy has taken its toll, resulting in job losses, home foreclosures and tighter credit. Faced with a financial emergency, many people scramble to find available cash. While borrowing from your company retirement plan might seem like a good idea, Texas CPAs say there are some things to be aware of and there are some common mistakes you should avoid.

Tips for Borrowing from Your Company Retirement Plan

http://www.valueyourmoney.org/economictimes/borrowretirementsavings043009.asp

HAVE YOU TAKEN THE POLL THIS MONTH?

Stop by www.ValueYourMoney.org each month and take our financial poll on the home page. TSCPA updates the poll monthly with a different seasonal financial literacy question each time, hoping to gain some insight from our readers. Don’t forget to visit ValueYourMoney.org this month to take the poll and pick up some helpful financial literacy tips and information.

Financial Literacy Poll http://www.valueyourmoney.org/index.asp

RESOURCES FOR GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

High school was so yesterday and now you have more important things on your mind like college game days and campus activities. With new college experiences come new financial experiences and lucky for you, TSCPA has got your financial resources covered. Stop by www.ValueYourMoney.org to pick up money-wise tips to start off on the right financial foot, ways to avoid financial scams when searching for scholarships and more.

ValueYourMoney.org High School Section http://www.valueyourmoney.org/high-school/planning-for-college.asp

SEVEN TIPS FOR AVOIDING FINANCIAL SCAMS – FREE TIP SHEET!

Senior citizens have worked and saved for many years to get where they are today. Unfortunately, the elderly are often the target of financial scams. Because of this, Texas CPAs developed a tip sheet on ways seniors can steer clear of financial fraudsters.

Download the Tip Sheet (PDF)

http://www.valueyourmoney.org/news/Tip%20Sheet%20on%20Avoiding%20Financial%20Scams.pdf

MONEY-MINDED BOOKS FOR YOUR CHILD’S SUMMER READING LIST

Just because it’s almost summer vacation, it doesn’t mean the learning has to stop. Get involved with the Children’s Book Club and teach your children about the basics of money with these books recommended by Oregon’s Office of the State Treasurer. The list includes books for children from infant and preschool age up to 12 years old. You should also check out the suggested low-cost or no-cost savings activities that TSCPA recommends to help your family get through the dog days of summer.

Download the Reading List (PDF)

http://www.valueyourmoney.org/media/Recommended%20Reading%20List.pdf

Suggested Savings Activities

http://www.valueyourmoney.org/childhood/savingtips91808.asp

WAYS TO SAVE ON ENERGY COSTS

The average American household spends $1,900 a year on energy bills, according to the government’s ENERGY STAR program. Whether you’re preparing for the heat of summer or for winter’s frigid temperatures—-or looking to lower your gasoline expenses--there are many practical ways to cut down on costs, according to the Texas Society of CPAs. And when you reduce your energy use, the environment benefits from lower greenhouse gas emissions. Pick up some tips that will help you save money and do the earth a favor.

valueyourmoney.org/news/EnergyCosts.asp

TALKING TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT THE ECONOMY

During these tough economic times, many families have had to tighten their budgets and cut back on some of their spending. As this occurs, kids may have a tough time understanding why their parents can no longer afford the toys, electronic gadgets, activities or trips that they want. Texas CPAs offer this advice on how to address the economy with your children.

Addressing the Economy with Your Children

JOIN TEXANS FOR FINANCIAL LITERACY ON FACEBOOK

Texans for Financial Literacy is a Facebook group created by Texas Society of CPAs (TSCPA) to raise awareness about the importance of personal financial literacy among children and adults in Texas. Join the group for the latest updates on financial literacy news in Texas, smart money management tips and techniques, and more. From now until April 15 look for weekly tax tip updates and additional tax information. Simply search for the group “Texans for Financial Literacy” and join! Spread the word to your friends and colleagues.

Texans for Financial Literacy Facebook Group

IMPORTANT PERSONAL FINANCE DATES FOR 2009

Keeping your personal finances on track just got easier with TSCPA’s helpful Outlook calendar reminders. Pick which important personal finance dates you want to remember or choose them all! Visit ValueYourMoney.org for important personal finance dates throughout the year and for a downloadable version as well.

Important Dates for 2009