CPA Profession to Publish First Financial Book for Consumers

AMELIA ISLAND, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CPAs have seen it all — mistakes, misfortune and triumph — as they guide clients toward financial prosperity. And in January, Americans will have a new way to benefit from their perspective.

“It captures the expansive insight of trusted advisors in a quick and easy read that anyone can use to plan for college, educate their kids, save for retirement, survive a divorce or simply improve their financial standing.”

On January 3, the American Institute of CPAs will publish the profession’s first national consumer education book, the Institute announced at its governing Council meeting. Save Wisely, Spend Happily combines the insight of CPAs from across the country — 125 of them with more than 1,000 years of collective experience — into a book of tips, tales and teachings about money.

“Save Wisely, Spend Happily is a field guide to personal finance, one that can be read cover-to-cover or picked up in a pinch to navigate a specific topic,” said Ernie Almonte, CPA, chair of the AICPA’s National CPA Financial Literacy Commission. “It captures the expansive insight of trusted advisors in a quick and easy read that anyone can use to plan for college, educate their kids, save for retirement, survive a divorce or simply improve their financial standing.”

Save Wisely, Spend Happily is the first consumer book from the AICPA and complements the award-winning 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy, a volunteer effort of the CPA profession that helps Americans at all life stages understand their finances. The book was published in honor of the AICPA’s 125^th anniversary and benefits from the experience of best-selling author Sharon Lechter, CPA. Lechter is the co-author of the international best-selling book Rich Dad Poor Dad and 14 other Rich Dad books as well as Think and Grow Rich – Three Feet From Gold and Outwitting the Devil with the Napoleon Hill Foundation. She brings her extensive insight as a CPA and financial literacy expert to bear in Save Wisely, Spend Happily, weaving together stories in a conversational tone that both informs and entertains.

“Filled with detailed information, money saving strategies, and expert advice, each chapter is reinforced with personal stories that bring home the book’s lessons,” Lechter said. “These tales of financial setbacks, recoveries, and eventual successes demonstrate that with persistent planning—and a little guidance—it is truly possible to save wisely and spend happily.”

Save Wisely, Spend Happily will be available to the general public in both paperback and Kindle format on January 3 through Amazon.com. AICPA members can begin purchasing the book now through CPA2Biz. Discounts are available for bulk orders. All proceeds from the sale of the book will go to support the profession’s financial literacy efforts.

About the AICPA

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) is the world’s largest member association representing the accounting profession, with nearly 386,000 members in 128 countries and a 125-year heritage of serving the public interest. AICPA members represent many areas of practice, including business and industry, public practice, government, education and consulting.

The AICPA sets ethical standards for the profession and U.S. auditing standards for audits of private companies, nonprofit organizations, federal, state and local governments. It develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination and offers specialty credentials for CPAs who concentrate on personal financial planning; fraud and forensics; business valuation; and information technology. Through a joint venture with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), it has established the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation to elevate management accounting globally.

The AICPA maintains offices in New York, Washington, DC, Durham, NC, and Ewing, NJ.

Media representatives are invited to visit the AICPA Press Center at aicpa.org/press.