Money Matters: Learning from an Accounting Professional

June 10, 2020: Mt. Sinai, New York: How many of us got our first job and didn’t know how to fill out the forms we were given? How many of us had no idea what withholding was and how to have money left over? Most important, when did we learn how to budget and set goals?

Equity First Foundation partnered with Andrea Parness, CPA, CTC, Owner, A. Parness Company, volunteered her time and expertise in conducting lessons that are being given to Math and Business classes at Uniondale High School. These lessons include: taxes, budgets, banking and SMART goals. Each lesson links students to an understanding of important forms that they can practice completing and exercises that they can apply to their real lives. Preparing students for what they need for their lives outside of school and applying skills/knowledge will help each student be successful. As per Andrea, “When Lisa approached me about her need for a tax related financial literacy lesson for high school students, I jumped at the chance to create the lesson she envisioned. How cool to be able to share my screen and demonstrate the tax related employment process from the paperwork start to tax return finish. The students could follow along and see the ramifications of their “check the box choices”. I then realized that this was also a great opportunity to help these kids focus on their financial goals and spending plans while I threw in some tips about good work ethics. How great to think that 1 or 2 hours of video can make an impression on someone that could last a lifetime!”

These programs and others are being supported through the Perkins Grant by Nassau BOCES, and are available to consortium school districts only through this school year. Schools have no monetary outlay, and Equity First Foundation is ready to deliver these and other lessons for the next month to all Nassau County high schools.

Even during these unprecedented times, Equity First Foundation is dedicated to enriching students’ educational programs through these important virtual financial literacy lessons. Thank you to Uniondale High School administration and educators for their dedication to quality education and innovative student learning. . As per Rhonda Hurdle-Taylor, Acting Superintendent, “We are grateful to have had access to the Perkins Grant to provide this important additional financial literacy to our scholars."

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Andrea Parness, owner of A. Parness Company, a niche market CPA firm based in Belle Harbor, Queens, NY, has been in public accounting for over 30 years. Her firm which includes 8 staff members offers cloud accounting software conversions/integrations/support, virtual CFO services, business coaching and advisory services, accounting firm support, and tax minimization planning.

For more information about A Parness Company please visit their website http://www.aparnesscpa.com, follow them on Twitter: QueensCPAny, LinkedIn: Andrea Parness CPA or Facebook: A Parness Company CPA or contact: office@aparnesscpa.com

We will continue to reach out to provide online and virtual workshops that span the educational audience from K-post-secondary, the corporate world (from small to large), and community service organizations (other non-profits). Our work is crucial to the short and long-term goals of individuals from all walks of life and in all situations. This includes helping children learn about money through senior citizens learning about estate planning…and everyone in between. We are always seeking industry professionals who would like to get involved. Join us in this crucial cause!

If you would like more information about financial literacy and education or to participate in programs/events, please contact Rhonda Klch at 631-714-4822x102, rhonda@equityfirstfoundation.org or Lisa Strahs-Lorenc at 631-714-4822x110 --lisa@equityfirstfoundation.org.