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HOW TO BECOME A CPA IF YOU’RE NOT AN ACCOUNTING MAJOR

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HOW TO BECOME A CPA IF YOU'RE NOT AN ACCOUNTING MAJOR

To err is human. We all make wrong decisions multiple times in our lives. But to make an incorrect career choice may seem like too much to handle at first. Imagine you thought arts was your calling, but you realize it is not your thing once you get into an art school. You now know you are a perfect fit for a career in science and find yourself in a dilemma. Situations like these happen and are pretty standard. Many people choose to switch careers and end up facing their newfound passion.

Likewise, if you now wish to join the CPA qualification, but do not have an accounting major, do not fuss. Becoming a Certified Public Accountant has predefined requirements that one needs to follow to qualify. However, being an accounting major is not one of them. If you have majored in a non-accounting subject and want to pursue becoming a CPA, let us tell you, it is doable. To become a qualified CPA, you need to fulfill requirements under three categories: Education, Exams, and Experience. Here we guide you in detail on how you can become a CPA if you have majored in a non-accounting subject:

  • Fulfill The Minimum Education Prerequisite:

First up, you need to fulfill the minimum education requirement to sit the CPA exams. Before you get into anything else, you need to know that CPA is governed individually by each state. It means that every state has its own rules and regulations for issuing certificates. Each state sets its prerequisites for allowing students to sit the CPA exams.

The majority of the states require that individuals have a bachelor’s in accounting to attempt the CPA exams. Unless you have plans of enrolling into some program that offers an online masters in accounting for non accounting majors, you will have to find a way to fulfill this step.

A few states do not have this minimum degree requirement, which means good news for you! Since you are a non-accounting major, you will have to attempt your exams in one of these states. Only Georgia, Massachusetts, Alaska, Hawaii, and Maine are the five states that do not require an accounting degree. Now, let us talk about what each state has to offer to you.

  • Georgia’s state board of accountancy requires you to have at least 20 credit hours of accounting classes up your sleeve. But it does not end here; out of these 20 hours, 18 have to be through high-level courses. These include the intermediate and advanced level accounting courses taught in the third and fourth years of college. And this means remedial techniques such as accounting 101 do not qualify.
  • Now let us see what the state board of Massachusetts They ask for 21 credit hours in accounting, but they are not much concerned about the level of these courses. They are more interested in the subjects you have taken. Thus, the audit must fulfill the 21 credit hours, financial accounting, taxation, and management accounting courses.
  • The state board of Alaska has a mix of requirements depending on the level of education of the candidates. So, for individuals with an accounting major, Alaska asks for 15 credit hours. For students with an accounting concentration, Alaska requires 21 accounting credit hours. For individuals having a non-accounting major and credit hours that fall below 15, this state board requires one year of experience in public accounting.
  • On the other hand, the state board of Maine requires students to exhibit 15 accounting credit hours to sit for CPA. However, while this may seem easy, Maine has some stringent experience prerequisites. This state requires individuals to provide two years of experience in public accounting with 4,000 hours doing audit compilation under the supervision of a qualified CPA.
  • Last but not least, Hawaii’s state board of accountancy asks for 18 hours of accounting classes with some minimal experience requirements.
  • Complete The Required 150-Hours For CPA Certification:

The next step towards becoming a CPA is to acquire 150 credit hours of general higher education. A bachelor’s degree means 120 credit hours. So, if you are already a bachelor’s, all you need to worry about are the extra 30 credit hours you need to gain to qualify. These hours can be in any discipline and do not necessarily have to be from a degree course.

  • Meet The Experience Requisites:

Since you are a non-accounting major, you most probably are not working in the accountancy profession. And this means you will have to meet a particular accountancy experience requirement as required by the state from where you are certifying.

Now, each state has different experience prerequisites. You will have to get into the details before furthering your CPA journey. Some states offer straightforward routes to gaining experience, while others may not be that simple. Generally, most states will allow expertise in accounting in the corporate and government sector, public accounting, and some even accept experience in academia.

Conclusion:

Becoming a CPA without an accounting major is not impossible. It may seem like it; however, it is pretty much attainable. All you need to do is study the prerequisites in detail before hopping on the CPA journey. Know what the qualification will demand from you and whether you are in a position to fulfill that or not. We have outlined the process above in a very straightforward manner. We hope this will help you get a glimpse of the qualification demands and make a wise decision.

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Wealth Transfer and Estate Planning: Secure Your Legacy

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Wealth Transfer and Estate Planning

Wealth transfer and estate planning are essential for anyone who wants to protect their legacy and provide for future generations. Proper planning helps to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes while minimizing potential taxes and legal complications. Whether you’re just starting or revisiting your current plan, here’s a guide to wealth transfer and estate planning essentials.

Why Wealth Transfer and Estate Planning Matter

When it comes to your assets, a lack of planning can lead to unnecessary taxes, legal battles, and confusion for your loved ones. Estate planning ensures that what you’ve worked hard for is protected and goes where you intend. It covers everything from wills and trusts to gifting and tax reduction strategies, helping your loved ones avoid stress and financial challenges after you’re gone.

Key Components of Wealth Transfer and Estate Planning

Wills and Trusts

  • Will: A will is the cornerstone of most estate plans. It allows you to specify who will inherit your assets and property, name guardians for minor children, and appoint an executor to manage your estate’s distribution. However, a will goes through probate, a legal process that can be time-consuming and expensive.
  • Trusts: Trusts offer a more flexible way to distribute assets and often bypass the probate process. Options like revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, and family trusts can help you achieve specific goals, such as managing taxes or providing for a child with special needs. Trusts also offer greater privacy than wills, as they don’t become public records.

Beneficiary Designations


Assets like retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and payable-on-death bank accounts allow you to name beneficiaries. These assets typically transfer directly to your beneficiaries without going through probate. Regularly review these designations to ensure they align with your current intentions and family situation, as changes in relationships or life circumstances can affect your choices.

Power of Attorney and Healthcare Directives

A power of attorney (POA) grants someone authority to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to. In addition, a healthcare directive, or living will, allows you to specify your medical treatment preferences and appoint someone to make healthcare decisions if you’re incapacitated. These documents ensure your wishes are respected during a medical emergency.

Gifting Strategies

Gifting assets during your lifetime can reduce the size of your taxable estate and transfer wealth in a controlled manner. Each year, you can gift up to a certain amount (currently $15,000 per person in the U.S.) without incurring gift taxes. Larger gifts can also be made using your lifetime gift tax exemption, though they may require careful planning to avoid tax consequences.

Estate Taxes and Tax Reduction Strategies

Estate taxes, sometimes called “death taxes,” can take a significant portion of an estate’s value. Federal estate taxes apply to estates over a certain threshold, which varies, but some states also have their own estate or inheritance taxes. Strategies like trusts, lifetime gifting, and charitable donations can reduce the taxable portion of your estate, preserving more wealth for your heirs. Learn more about estate taxes here https://retiretrunorth.com/our-media/.

Business Succession Planning

If you own a family business, succession planning is essential for ensuring a smooth transition of ownership and management. This might involve passing the business to family members, selling it, or setting up a trust to control ownership. Planning for succession early on allows you to identify successors, train them, and ensure your business continues according to your vision.

Wealth Transfer Tips for Protecting Your Legacy

  • Start Early: The earlier you begin planning, the more options you have. Early planning also allows you to adapt as tax laws and family situations change.
  • Communicate with Loved Ones: Let your heirs know about your plans, especially if you choose an unequal asset distribution. Clear communication helps prevent misunderstandings and family disputes later on.
  • Review Regularly: Life changes such as marriage, divorce, the birth of children or grandchildren, and significant increases in wealth all warrant a review of your estate plan. Ensure your documents reflect your current wishes and keep your beneficiaries up-to-date.
  • Seek Professional Help: An estate attorney or financial planner can help you navigate the legal and tax complexities of estate planning and suggest strategies to minimize taxes and maximize the benefits for your heirs.

Wealth Transfer Options to Consider

  • Charitable Trusts: Charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) or charitable lead trusts (CLTs) allow you to donate a portion of your estate to a charity while providing tax benefits. They can be structured to provide income to your heirs or yourself for a period, with the remaining assets going to the charity.
  • Generation-Skipping Trusts: A generation-skipping trust enables you to transfer wealth to grandchildren or even great-grandchildren, bypassing the estate taxes that might apply if assets pass from generation to generation.
  • Life Insurance Policies: A life insurance policy can be a simple way to provide liquid assets to your heirs, helping to cover estate taxes or supporting beneficiaries without tying up other estate assets.

Building a Lasting Legacy

Wealth transfer and estate planning aren’t only about financial security; they’re about creating a lasting legacy. Whether that means supporting your family, contributing to causes you care about, or preserving a family business, your estate plan ensures your values and vision continue after you’re gone.

Taking proactive steps now to plan your estate and wealth transfer ensures you’re ready to safeguard what matters most and lets you focus on what’s truly important: creating lasting memories and a meaningful impact with those you love.

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Timing and Scheduling Considerations – Safe Ship Moving Services

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Safe Ship Moving Services

The timing and scheduling of local versus long-distance moves vary significantly, and understanding these differences is crucial for ensuring a smooth transition. Whether you are moving across town or across the country, careful planning and organization are key to avoiding delays, unexpected costs, and logistical challenges. Here’s how timing and scheduling differ for each type of move and strategies for managing both efficiently. Now let’s look at what the experts like Safe Ship Moving Services say.

Local Moves: Flexibility and Shorter Timelines

Local moves, typically defined as moves within the same city or metropolitan area, offer much more flexibility when it comes to timing. Since the distance between your current location and your new home is relatively short, the entire move can often be completed within a single day. This allows for more leeway in terms of scheduling.

  1. Same-Day Completion

One of the key advantages of local moves is the possibility of completing the entire move in one day. Movers can arrive in the morning, load your belongings, and transport everything to your new home within hours. There is no need to plan for overnight stays, extended travel, or multi-day loading and unloading processes.

Strategy: If you are moving locally, you can take advantage of this flexibility by scheduling your move on a weekend or holiday when you have time off. You might also be able to make multiple trips in case you don’t want to move everything at once.

  1. Last-Minute Adjustments

Local moves are often less stressful to organize because you can make last-minute changes to your schedule if necessary. If you encounter an issue, such as unexpected rain or a delay in your new lease start date, rescheduling with the moving company may be easier, as their availability is typically more open for short-distance moves.

Strategy: If you are moving locally, consider booking your movers during off-peak times (midweek or mid-month) to ensure more flexibility. Having a backup plan, such as access to a storage unit or alternate transportation, can help in case of last-minute changes.

  1. Shorter Packing and Preparation Times

Because of the shorter distance, you may not need to pack everything at once. For example, with local moves, you can gradually move non-essential items ahead of time, leaving only the larger or more important items for moving day. This means you don’t have to pack your entire home in one go, reducing the pressure to prepare everything quickly.

Strategy: Create a staggered packing schedule if possible, moving items you don’t need right away in small batches. This can lighten the load on moving day and make the transition less stressful.

Long-Distance Moves: Planning and Precision

Long-distance moves, which typically involve moving to a different city, state, or even country, require more precise planning and attention to detail due to the increased complexity of logistics, transportation, and timing. These moves usually span multiple days and involve far more coordination than a local move.

  1. Extended Travel Times

Unlike local moves, long-distance moves require careful planning around travel times. You need to account for the time it takes to transport your belongings to the new destination, which could take several days depending on the distance. Additionally, you may need to plan for overnight stays, fueling stops, and navigating different weather conditions, particularly if your move spans a large region.

Strategy: For long-distance moves, it’s essential to plan your timeline several weeks (or even months) in advance. Start by booking your moving company as early as possible, and confirm their estimated delivery time. Keep in mind that delivery may take longer if other customers’ belongings are being moved at the same time (common in long-distance moves).

  1. Precise Scheduling with Movers

Long-distance moves often require more detailed coordination with your moving company. Delivery windows for long-distance moves are generally broader, as the truck carrying your items may need to make multiple stops. Your belongings could arrive several days after you do, so it’s important to plan accordingly.

Strategy: Confirm your delivery window with your movers in advance, and prepare for any potential delays. Pack a separate essentials kit (including clothing, toiletries, and important documents) to have on hand during the interim period before your belongings arrive.

  1. Handling Unforeseen Delays

Long-distance moves are more vulnerable to external factors such as weather, traffic, or logistical issues, which can lead to delays. These variables are harder to control when moving over longer distances, so having contingency plans in place is essential.

Strategy: When planning a long-distance move, be flexible with your moving dates and leave extra time between your moving date and any important deadlines, such as starting a new job or finalizing a home purchase. Stay in close contact with your moving company for updates and have alternative accommodation plans ready in case of delays.

  1. Advanced Notice for Utility Transfers and Address Changes

Unlike local moves, where utility transfers and address changes can be managed relatively quickly, long-distance moves require you to notify utility companies, government agencies, and service providers well in advance. This is particularly important for utilities like internet and electricity, which may take longer to set up in a new state or city.

Strategy: Start notifying your utility providers and updating your address at least two weeks before your move. This will ensure that your services are active when you arrive at your new home. Additionally, set up mail forwarding through the postal service to ensure you don’t miss any important correspondence during your transition.

  1. Careful Coordination of Multiple Logistics

With long-distance moves, you may need to coordinate several moving parts, including transportation for your belongings, your own travel arrangements, and the timing of your arrival at the new location. Flights, hotel stays, and vehicle transportation may also need to be arranged alongside your moving logistics.

Strategy: Create a detailed moving plan that includes every aspect of the move—from your movers’ schedule to your own travel itinerary. Having everything mapped out in advance will help you avoid confusion and keep the entire process on track.

Conclusion

Timing and scheduling play a critical role in both local and long-distance moves, but the considerations for each are quite different. Local moves offer flexibility and can often be completed in a single day, while long-distance moves require precise coordination, advanced planning, and careful handling of potential delays. By understanding the differences in timing and logistics, you can plan each type of move more effectively, ensuring a smooth and well-organized transition to your new home.

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How to Customize Your Withdrawal Plan with an SWP Calculator

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How to Customize Your Withdrawal Plan with an SWP Calculator

Financial independence is one of the most sought-after forms of autonomy. No matter the stage of your life, it is always better to have adequate personal finances. Although friends and family are always there for your support, your financial prudence could go a long way. Whether you are just starting your investment journey or getting ready to retire, the customisable SWP calculator is your new best friend.

This calculator takes the guesswork out of generating passive income from your nest egg. Tailor a withdrawal plan that aligns with your personal financial goals. Financial independence doesn’t happen by accident. But equipped with the SWP calculator, you can optimise withdrawals from investments to supplement your income.

In this article, we will explain how the SWP calculator functions.

What is a Systematic Withdrawl Plan (SWP)?

A systematic withdrawal plan (SWP) is a financial manoeuvre that allows you to withdraw money from your investment plan according to your requirements. Depending on the corpus left in your investment fund, you could use a SWP as a source of regular income.

Investors can select the frequency of withdrawals on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. You could also choose the date of withdrawal that matches your budget requirements.

Let us understand the underlying benefit of SWP with an example. Consider, for instance, that you have 10,000 units in a mutual fund scheme in India. Depending on your requirements, you set a mandate to withdraw Rs. 4000 through the systematic withdrawal plan on the tenth day of every month.

Starting with January 10, when the fund’s Net Asset Value was Rs. 10 per unit, you would get 400 units. Next month, when the Net Asset Value touches Rs. 15, you will get 266.67 units. You can keep more units in your fund for the same withdrawal amount.

Please note that the above example would hold only when your particular fund is experiencing a growth trend, that is when the fund’s net asset value per unit increases monthly.

What is the SWP Calculator?

An SWP calculator is an automated investment calculator that estimates the possibilities of monthly withdrawals from your investment fund. It shows the total units and the amount remaining in the fund after every withdrawal. Investors in India prefer SWPS for regular monthly income in their retirement years.

Based on the concept of the time value of money, a swap calculator displays the future value of your mutual fund investment. You simply have to enter details such as your investment amount, preferred withdrawal per month, preferred tenure, and expected rate of return. Now, let us move on to understanding the usage of a SWP calculator in detail.

You can rely on the results of a SWP calculator because the final corpus amount is derived with the help of an authentic mathematical formula. A SWP calculator makes use of the following formula:

A = WMT ((1+r/n)^nt-1)/(r/n))

where,

  • ‘A’ is the final value of your investment.
  • ‘WMT’ is the withdrawal amount.
  • ‘n’ is the number of periods over which the compounding will happen (12 for monthly, 3 for quarterly, and 1 for annual).
  • ‘t’ is the tenure of your investment in years.

Your SWP calculator will show the final corpus based on the calculations done using this formula.

How to Use a SWP Calculator?

It is easy to understand how a swp calculator works. Here are the step to use the SWP calculator:.

Step 1:

Fill in your total investment amount held in the mutual fund.

Step 2:

Enter the monthly withdrawal limit (Please note that you can even opt for quarterly or annual withdrawals).

Step 3:

Fill in your expected rate of return.

Step 4:

Enter your preferred tenure in terms of years.

You can easily customise the entries of the SWP calculator to analyse the different scenarios that could arise with changes in these entries. Based on your entries made following the steps mentioned above, a SWP calculator will show the results displaying the total investment amount, total interest earned, and the final value of your investment. These results will serve as your aid in finalising your withdrawal limit.

Benefits of a Systematic Withdrawal Plan

There can be less doubt that a systematic withdrawal plan benefits your financial health. Let us understand the main benefits in detail.

1. Source of Regular Income

One of the most essential advantages of a SWP is that it can help you earn a regular income. You can withdraw the money monthly, quarterly, or annually depending on your requirements. All investors interested in earning a regular income can opt for a systematic withdrawal plan.

2. Retirement Income

SWPs offer a stable source of income in your after years. You can use this income to live a stress-free post-retirement life.

3. Availing Tax Benefits

Long-term capital gains to the tune of Rs. 1 lakh are exempt from payment of taxes. You are required to pay taxes only when your accrued gains exceed this threshold.

Benefits of a SWP Calculator

1. Seamless Calculation Process

A SWP calculator lets you accurately assess your final corpus simply by entering details such as the investment amount, expected rate of interest, and withdrawal amount.

2. Finding the Best Withdrawal Plan Calculator

A SWP calculator lets you calculate your corpus amount for different values. You can compare the corpus amounts per your preference and then select the corpus that would meet your requirements in future.

3. Ease of Use

Using an SWP calculator is quite simple. You get the results after entering basic details, such as your required corpus amount.

Conclusion

Who can deny that modern life is entirely uncertain? People need help maintaining their financial wellness. However, with modern instruments such as systematic withdrawal plans, it is easy to manage your financial wellness according to your own preferences.

All you have to do is use a SWP calculator and get an estimate of your corpus. Now that you know all the details of SWP, nothing should stop you from targeting a handsome corpus. For those looking to plan their investments from the start, combining the use of a SIP calculator and SWP calculator can provide a comprehensive view of your financial journey.

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