Chartered Professional Accounts of Canada are putting on financial literacy presentations. BDO Canada Portage office partner Anita Janzen-Gemmell says it's a free presentation for any group wanting one.

"As a CPA I volunteered. There are about 20 presentations for any age level, basically from grade four all the way to seniors."

She outlines topics they cover.

"Understanding balance sheets, or even understanding how credit cards work, or for grade four even understanding the difference between needs versus wants."

Janzen-Gemmell explains what the volunteers offer.

"CPA's can come in and give for about 45 minutes to an hour, just to kind of explain some of that. We are doing that because we feel that as CPA's we have some information that we can share to try and increase the financial knowledge of Canadians across the board. So, any CPA in any province can sign up to be a volunteer and give these presentations to folks who are looking for it."

She says non-profits groups, seniors groups, entrepreneurs, and school classes can apply. A question and answer period is involved, all to help everyone understanding finances better and help folks make stronger financial decisions in life. Janzen-Gemmell says she knows from expeirence that young people need ot be informed. She notes she has two children, aged 12 and 8, and each has their own personality. Janzen-Gemmell says while one likes to burn a hole in her pocket, the other banks her funds. With the credit card and debit card world we live in, she explains communication with the youth is much needed.

Janzen-Gemmell explains youth need to learn that we can go to an ATM and pull out money, but it requires money in the bank beforehand. Credit cards can only work if we have are able to access money to pay the bill off later on. 

She adds it's never too early to talk about money and how it works in our lives. Janzen-Gemmell adds she's been involved a couple of months ago, and it's a great idea to help people with their finances.