Financial planning

There’s more to estate planning than simply trying to minimize taxes under the provisions of a will and various trusts, as criticism over the will of the late James Gandolfini attests. A number of estate experts have weighed in the provisions of the will, which was filed last week in Manhattan Surrogate’s Court.

The Securities and Exchange Commission adopted a new rule Wednesday to implement a JOBS Act requirement to lift the ban on general solicitation or general advertising for certain private securities offerings for business startups, while also adopting rules to discourage fraudsters from touting the investments and to add new protections for investors.

Only 14 percent of capital markets executives at leading investment banks believe the JOBS Act is having a positive impact on increasing the number of IPOs on U.S. exchanges, according to a new survey by BDO USA.

The Securities and Exchange Commission’s custody rule governing investment advisors’ custody of client assets imposes various requirements and, in turn, costs on investment advisors, according to a new report by the Government Accountability Office.

The Financial Planning Coalition submitted a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission saying it would "vigorously oppose" attempts to weaken the fiduciary standard for broker-dealers and submitted research showing a client-first standard does not limit advice to “mass market” clients.

Nearly 70 percent of people in the Millennial generation have no retirement plan, according to a new survey.

A new research program aimed at uncovering the secrets of success for CPA financial planners

How much should an advisor give away in a social setting before suggesting that an inquirer pay for such information? More broadly, how should planners respond effectively when an acquaintance, friend or relative seeks free advice - or even asks to become a paying client?

Almost half of CPAs indicated that they offer some kind of financial planning services, but a far smaller number have a formally structured practice with their own Registered Investment Advisor or an affiliation with an outside broker/dealer or RIA, according to a new study.

Members of Generation X are having the most difficulty meeting their household expenses and dealing with other financial obligations, according to a new study by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The American Institute of CPAs has released one of its Accounting and Valuation Guides, “Valuation of Privately Held Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation,” also known as the Cheap Stock Guide, in an e-book format.

For years, annuities have been considered to be a solution for outliving your income and available assets.

The American Institute of CPAs has proposed new standards to build more rigorous oversight of CPA financial planners.

Seven out of 10 U.S. adults claim to have major barriers that prevent their families from openly communicating about who will make financial decisions on behalf of their aging family members if they become unable to do so, according to a new survey.

Last August, the American Institute of CPAs released an exposure draft of its updated guidance on the Valuation of Privately Held Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation.

A roundup of financial planning news from the previous month

Frequently satisfied by merchandising low-ticket items like 1040 preparation, CPAs think that any client who can fog a mirror may be a good PFP client.

Family health and the costs of long-term care and financial support for extended family have emerged as major concerns for high net worth investors and their families, with family health perceived as the biggest risks to family wealth, according to a new survey.

Fifty-four percent of millennials said that debt is currently their biggest financial concern, according to a new survey that found young adults struggling in the wake of the Great Recession.

Americans in their sixties are taking more money out of their IRAs than those who are older, according to a new report.