Photos Available Upon Request

OKLAHOMA CITY — According data from the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts, Oklahoma ranks sixth in the country for personal bankruptcies. In fact, many Oklahomans aren’t equipped with the knowledge to save money, invest or change their habits. Local certified public accountants are out to change that statistic and help Oklahoma women take control of their financial well-being.

At the annual women’s financial conference, Do It Herself: A Journey to Financial Freedom, presented by the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants, Mary Krause, CPA, will deliver advice on getting out of debt that can help increase financial security. For the first time, the OSCPA will offer two programs in the same year — Sept. 7 in Tulsa and Oct. 5 in Oklahoma City. Krause, senior vice president of Vision Bank in Ada, will be speaking at both seminars.

“I very much enjoy talking with other women about issues which affectall of us, yet are sometimes only discussed in hushed, whispered voices,” Krause said.“Debt is one of those issues.

“I spoke at the 2004 conference and thoroughly enjoyed it.I offered to speak again when the opportunity arose and now it has.”

The conference, co-hosted by the Tulsa Chapter of the OSCPA and the American Institute of CPAs as part of a nationwide effort to promote financial literacy, will also feature some of the most trusted financial advisors in Oklahoma speaking on topics ranging from basic budgeting and identity protection to starting a business and overcoming financial crisis.

Other topics include estate planning, getting out of debt, income taxes and financing options. Additional speakers include Glinda Bridgforth of Detroit, Mich., author of “Girl, Get Your Money Straight!” and “The Basic Money Management Workbook,” and the co-author of “Girl, Make Your Money Grow!” A frequent guest on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” Bridgforth will deliver the keynote speech. Her latest book, “Girl, Get Your Credit Straight!” will be available at the conference.

For Krause, helping other women is personal.

“I have three sisters and our ages are within three years of each other,” Krause said. We grew up on the cusp of the feminist movement. Our fatherlet us knowthat our generation was getting ready to experience some wonderful times for women.As a result, I love encouraging other women.

Because I've had a variety of careers, in which I've be fortunate to make many mistakes and learn from manyexperienced people, I'm happy to share those, especially in the fields of small businesses, finance and banking. I hope they [attendees] will leave a bit more energized andrealize that it's never to late tomake a few changes which will enhance their lives.”

The Tulsa conference will be Sept. 7 at the Radisson Hotel at 10918 E. 41^st St. and the Oklahoma City conference will be Oct. 5 at the Clarion Meridian Convention Center at I-40 and Meridian. Both events will be from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. with door prizes throughout the day.Tickets are $10, which includes lunch. To register, visit http://www.knowwhatcounts.org/ or call the OSCPA at (800) 522-8261, ext. 3806.

The OSCPA workshop is part of 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy, the CPA profession’s national campaign to help Americans improve their financial understanding. For more information on managing finances, visit www.360financialliteracy.org. A dedicated section of the 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy Web site has been developed by the AICPA’s personal financial planning section that focuses on educating and empowering women to take control of their personal finances and achieve greater financial well-being. The site contains more than 600 articles, tools and calculators targeted specifically to women’s unique financial issues.

With more than 6,000 members in public practice, industry, government and education, the OSCPA is Oklahoma’s only statewide professional association of CPAs. Since 1918, the organization has continued to provide continuing professional education, conduct quality reviews and promote and maintain high standards of integrity and competence within the accounting profession. Visit http://www.knowwhatcounts.org/ for a free CPA referral and 30-minute consultation.

###