By: Holly Bazmemore
The North Carolina Association of CPAs is proud to be leading the state’s financial literacy efforts. Our goal is to help North Carolinians reduce debt and build wealth, and by doing so, strengthen the state’s economic standing and financial future. It’s a win-win situation for everyone!
What is financial literacy?
Financial literacy is the understanding of the workings of money. This includes money management, budgeting, investing, saving, and financial decision making.
How has NCACPA helped this effort?
NCACPA has worked with many organizations across North Carolina to spread the word about financial literacy. Our organization has created a committee, the Financial Literacy Council, dedicated to financial literacy which spearheads the statewide effort. Each of the 11 NCACPA Chapters also hosts their own programs as part of a community service effort. The association has a strong group of volunteers, who work pro bono, to educate the community on financial topics whenever the opportunity arises.
This education includes:
- CPA-created presentations at local schools, public libraries, and organizations targeting general or audience-specific financial literacy issues
- Integrating a financial board game into the community and local school systems
- Hosting an annual “Making Cents” event targeting financial topics in the Triangle. This event will be hosted in Charlotte this year and will be hosted in the Winston-Salem/Greensboro area in 2014.
If you would like more information on financial literacy, our 2013 Financial Literacy Online Calendar is a great resource. This calendar produced by NCACPA with member-created content offers a variety of financial topics. Click here to view the 2013 calendar!
NCACPA’s Financial Literacy Council leads the profession’s efforts in raising the financial education of North Carolina high school and college students by mobilizing its members, utilizing resources and materials available to CPAs, and leveraging partnerships with like-minded organizations. To find out more information about how you can get involved, contact Holly Bazemore.
Holly is NCACPA’s Community Relations Coordinator. She is responsible for chapter relations and financial literacy, serving as co-liaison to the chapter boards and Financial Literacy Council. Holly graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a BA in Communication Studies and from North Carolina State University with an MS in Communication. As a North Carolina native, she enjoys spending her free time with family and friends in the Carolina sand.