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OKLAHOMA CITY — According the U.S. Department of Labor, women make, on average, 76 cents on the dollar compared to men. Though the amount varies depending upon position and residence, the fact that women still earn less than men, yet are generally expected to outlive men, gives cause for concern for many female financial advisors. Because of that and other startling economic statistics, local female certified public accountants and other financial counselors are out to help Oklahoma women take control of their financial well-being.

At the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants’ annual women’s financial conference, Do It Herself: A Journey to Financial Freedom, Victoria Woods, CSO and CEO of ChapelWood Financial Services will speak for a general session in Oklahoma City. For the first time, the OSCPA will present two programs in the same year — Sept. 7, 2007, in Tulsa and Oct. 5, 2007, in Oklahoma City.

“Statistics reveal 80 to 90 percent of women are forced to manage money on their own mainly through death or divorce,” Woods said. “Only 52 percent have invested for retirement and the average female retiring at 60 has a life expectancy of an additional 21 years.

“The average age of a widow is 55 and women retirees receive half the average pension benefits that men receive because women sacrifice careers and earnings to meet family needs,” Woods continued.“I know without a doubt I can help all the women who choose to attend this conference.”

The conference, co-hosted by 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 Credit Straight,” “Girl, Get Your Money Straight!” “The Basic Money Management Book”and co-author of “Girl, Make Your Money Grow!” Bridgforth, a frequent guest on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” will deliver the keynote speech.

“This conference is important to me because I will be with a group of women who really want to learn what steps they need to take to take control of their lives and their destiny and become empowered,” Woods said. “It's good for the individual, their families, their churches, their communities and our state.”

The Oklahoma City conference will be Oct. 5, at the Clarion Meridian Convention Center at I-40 and Meridian, from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. with door prizes throughout the day. Tickets are $10, which include lunch. To register, visit http://www.knowwhatcounts.org/ or call the OSCPA at (800) 522-8261, ext. 3890.

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.

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