Chartered Professional Accountants support Albertans with free financial literacy courses

CALGARY, May 11, 2018 /CNW/ - This May, some of Alberta's Chartered Professional Accountants (CPAs) are lending their talents to help increase financial literacy for hundreds of Albertans.

Focusing on supporting clients of various community/business services providers and non-profit organizations, CPA volunteers will lead financial literacy sessions during Elevate 2018, a week-long celebration of the CPA profession in Alberta, happening this year from May 12-17.

The sessions are part of CPA Alberta's first-ever CPA Assist Volunteer Day, a "day of action" in both Edmonton and Calgary in which CPAs build connections in the community and use their financial skills to help Albertans. Those interested in learning more about the financial literacy sessions can visit www.cpaalberta.ca/financialliteracy

The overall Financial Literacy volunteer program is spearheaded by CPA Canada and allows individuals and organizations to schedule CPA-led financial literacy sessions year-round.

Financial literacy sessions are open to Albertans from all walks of life—children, students, seniors, new Canadians, entrepreneurs, and anyone else who wants to improve their financial know-how. The courses cover a wide range of topics including taxes, teaching children about money, fraud protection, estate planning, budgeting for pets, and much more.

In partnership with Calgary's North Central Family Support Program, CPA Alberta member Chioma Ufodike will be presenting The Pet Shop, a session focused on the responsibilities of owning a pet.

"The session I am presenting teaches Grade 4 and 5 students about the financial commitment of pet ownership. It's great to be able to use my background to teach children about finances and money. It's not something that is done enough and it's important to encourage financial literacy at a young age," says financial literacy volunteer Chioma Ufodike CPA, CMA, DIFA, CFE, CAMS.

North Central Family Support Program is a non-profit organization that provides family support and resources to families in North Central Calgary.

"Some of our unique programing includes GEMS (Girls Empowerment through Mentorship and Support), which is designed for girls aged 9-12 says Jeni Ruse, manager with North Central Family Support Program.

"The Pet Shop financial literacy course fits our mandate to empower our girls; we want to give them the financial tools to succeed. We've done financial literacy sessions for parents, but this is our first one tailored to kids, and we're very excited about this partnership. We also offer a program for parents with children diagnosed with ADHD and a program for lone parents, which is unique to the city."

CPAs are professional financial experts who are known for their integrity, professionalism, and business acumen. Many CPAs are active in their communities and have a long history of giving back.

If you would like to organize a financial literacy session as part of CPA Canada's year-round program, please contact CPA Canada at [email protected].

Albertans can also access free financial literacy resources on the CPA Canada website (www.cpacanada.ca/financialliteracy).These are great tools and learning aids for teachers and parents.

Media Advisory

Interested media are invited to attend the Pet Shop financial literacy session. Interview opportunities with a CPA Alberta volunteer and North Central Family Support Program spokesperson will be available.

Wednesday, May 16, 2018
3:30 p.m. (actual session begins at 4 p.m.)
Huntington Hills Community Association
520-78 Ave NW
Calgary, Alberta

Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) is the Canadian business and accounting designation representing more than 210,000 professional accountants across the country. As part of the CPA profession in Canada, CPA Alberta is the professional regulatory organization for more than 28,500 CPAs across the province.

SOURCE Chartered Professional Accountants of Alberta

Media Contact: Chris Pilger, Director, Communications, T: 780.420.2363, Email: [email protected]