PHOENIX, Ariz., March 9, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - Benjamin Podraza , a CPA financial planner and principal of Podraza CPA in Scottsdale, AZ has been awarded the Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) credential by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, joining an elite group of professionals who have demonstrated advanced knowledge of tax, estate, retirement, investment and insurance planning.
The PFS credential, established in 1987 by the AICPA, is awarded only to CPAs with extensive training and experience in financial planning. To earn the credential, CPAs must have at least 80 hours of personal financial planning education and 3,000 hours of planning experience within the previous five year period. They also must pass a comprehensive exam covering nine topic areas and be a member in good standing with the AICPA, binding them to the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.
"Given their formal education and technical training in the areas of accountancy and taxation, CPAs are the most qualified, knowledgeable and objective financial planning professionals," said Jeannette Koger, the AICPA's director of specialized communities. "Supplementing this background with the PFS credential demonstrates a CPA's commitment to providing the highest level of expert financial planning services. For clients, that translates to financial planning that is CPA strong -- comprehensive financial strategies that put their needs and interests first."
Currently, more than 5,000 CPAs hold the PFS credential nationwide and many regularly appear on lists of top financial planners. In addition to meeting rigorous requirements to join this elite group, Benjamin Podraza must meet recertification requirements every three years to maintain the credential.
"This additional credential further confirms my expertise in the holistic financial management approach that my firm has employed for over three decades. We care deeply about the people that entrust us with their financial affairs and will continue to harness the resources necessary to help them achieve their financial goals", says Benjamin Podraza.
ABOUT BENJAMIN PODRAZA, CPA/PFS, MTAX, CGMA:
Benjamin Podraza is the principal of Podraza CPA. He is a second generation financial professional with more than 20 years of experience in public practice. Mr. Podraza holds a B.S. in Accounting and M.S. in Taxation from Arizona State University, where he graduated at the top of his class. In addition to being a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Mr. Podraza has also earned the designation of Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) and Personal Financial Specialist (PFS). He currently sits on the Tax Steering, Tax Legislative and IT Steering Committees at the Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants and has been designed a CPA Ambassador by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
ABOUT PODRAZA CPA:
Podraza CPA offers integrated financial planning services to help individuals and business owners achieve their long-term financial goals. Business services include business tax planning and preparation services, developing accounting procedures and internal control systems, financial modeling and forecasting , business planning and coaching, as well as, fundamental services such as bookkeeping, accounting and payroll. Individual services include tax, estate, retirement, investment and insurance planning, as well as, tax preparation services. For more information, contact Podraza CPA at 480-998-3945 or visit their website at http://www.podrazacpa.com .
ABOUT 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, non-profit 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, N.C., Ewing, N.J. and Lewisville, Texas. Media representatives are invited to visit the AICPA Press Center at http://www.aicpa.org/press .
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Lizzie Wood +1 4809983945
