Financial planning

After the market crash of 2008-2009, many investors were tossing in the towel on asset allocation, suggesting that it had major flaws as evidenced by nearly every asset class moving significantly lower in apparent lockstep.

IMGCAP(1)]The current uncertain political, economic, and tax environment has led many people to postpone preparing or updating their estate plans.

The growing popularity of online deal sites like Groupon and LivingSocial could be encouraging many consumers to make impulse buys rather than save their money for more important financial priorities, according to the American Institute of CPAs.

Accounting Today is in the midst of collecting submissions for its 2011 ranking of the Top Firms by AUM.

Less than half of affluent parents (49 percent) in a nationwide poll felt it was important to leave a financial inheritance to the next generation, according to the U.S. Trust Insights on Wealth and Worth Survey.

Nearly 40 percent of working Americans say they will never afford retirement, according to a new survey by the American Institute of CPAs.

Stock buybacks do not necessarily help just the CEOs whose compensation is tied to their companies’ earnings per share, but can also advance the interests of shareholders, according to a new study.

Rising fuel and food prices are blunting the gains from the economic recovery, hurting Americans’ ability to save and weighing on consumer sentiment, according to a new survey conducted for the American Institute of CPAs by Harris Interactive.

Despite an earnings slide of roughly 13 percent compared to 2009, some 94 percent of financial advisors remain satisfied with their career choice, according to a recent poll.

BOOMERS EXPECT TO DELAY RETIREMENT BY FOUR YEARS

There are several ways to serve your clients in the financial planning world. None are wrong or right—but some are definitely better than others.

The Financial Planning Coalition has called on Congress to support the Securities and Exchange Commission in establishing a fiduciary standard of care for broker-dealers.

The American Institute of CPAs’ Financial Reporting Executive Committee has published a working draft version of a revised practice aid for valuing equity securities issued as compensation for executives at private companies.

The American Institute of CPAs and the Society for Human Resource Management have introduced a new award for employers with successful financial education programs.

Estate planner Howard Zaritsky has written a new treatise, “Practical Estate Planning in 2011 and 2012,” describing how the 2010 Tax Relief Act affects estate planning strategies.

Warren, Averett, Kimbrough & Marino Wealth Management, an affiliate of CPA and business advisory firm Warren, Averett, Kimbrough & Marino, said it has surpassed the $500 million mark in assets under management.

A new personal budgeting app for the Apple iPad aims to help consumers manage their debts.

With the passage of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, many practitioners are now scrambling to determine how to best position their clients’ estate planning structures and forms to take advantage of the new dynamic estate tax planning opportunities and challenges.

IMGCAP(1)]Baby Boomers are now or soon will be part of the senior generation.

Tax season is in full bloom and Americans are up to their elbows in statements, receipts and 1099s, but it may be a good time for people to clean up their finances while they’re doing their spring cleaning and taking their taxes to their accountants.