Upcoming Events

April 30 | Harkin Retirement Security Symposium 2024

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Register now for the Tuesday, April 30th event!

Whether you’re budgeting for the present or planning for your retirement, managing your finances can be an overwhelming task. That’s why The Harkin Institute chose “Navigating the Journey to Financial Wellness” as the theme for this year’s Harkin Retirement Security Symposium. The event will bring together advocacy and community organizations, government agencies, and private companies and their foundations that work on financial wellness and retirement security. The symposium will provide a forum to discuss the most pressing challenges and find collaborative opportunities to address documented financial wellness needs and their relationship to retirement security, with an emphasis on vulnerable populations.

Agenda

8:30 AM Registration/Breakfast

9:00 AM Opening Remarks, Matthew Reed, Executive Director & Rayna Stoycheva, Retirement Security Policy Director

9:10 – 9:40 AM Morning Keynote, Adam Carroll

9:45 – 10:45 AM Financial education curriculum and best practices

Moderator: Stephanie Wager, Iowa Department of Education

  • Jennifer Anderson, University of Northern Iowa
  • Suzanne Bartholomae, Iowa State Extension
  • Ryan Osborn, Junior Achievement
  • Amanda Volz, NextGen

11:00 – 11:40 AM FINRA Achieving and measuring financial capability

11:45 AM – 12:30 Lunch Keynote Discussion, Mark Miller, Retirement Reboot (moderated by Chris Ferrell, Minnesota Public Radio)

12:30-1:30 Lunch & Visit Fair Exhibits

  • Stream fraud videos from Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services  

1:30-2:30 PM Financial wellness for vulnerable populations

Moderator: Jo Christine Miles, Principal Foundation

  • Angela Fontes, Financial Health Network
  • Ena Babic Barnes, Iowa Credit Union Foundation
  • Joy Esposito, Evelyn K. Davis Center Director
  • Kelli Soyer, United Way of Iowa

2:35-3:00 pm Featured Presentation: ABLE accounts, Iowa Treasurer of State

3:10 -4:10 PM Medicare choice & managing health care costs in retirement

  • Kristin Griffith, Iowa SHIIP Director
  • Josh Pearson, THI Senior Fellow
  • Iowa AARP, Brad Anderson
  • Medicare Rights Center

4:15 PM Closing Remarks 

Job Opportunity, News/Accolades

Iowa Insurance Division High School Internships

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Who:  High School Juniors or Seniors, High School counselors, Parent of a High School Junior or Senior

What:  A paid summer internship with the Iowa Insurance Division (IID) for a qualifying junior or senior high school student

When: A 10-week program beginning approximately June 3, 2024

Where:  IID Office located at 1963 Bell Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 

Are you aware of a junior or senior high school student in Iowa trying to decide what career field they wish to pursue? The Iowa Insurance Division has an opportunity we would like you to share with them where they will gain real world experience in the insurance industry through an internship as an insurance regulator. A student interested in areas of accounting, actuary science, computer science, data analytics, mathematics, economics, marketing, insurance or securities sales, investigations or prosecutions of administrative insurance law violations, criminal fraud investigations, insurance legislation and rulemaking, or communications may find this unique opportunity extremely appealing.   

Iowa is known as a global insurance hub, largely due to being the home of more than 214 domestic insurance companies.  Iowa’s insurance industry offers the most rewarding careers.  The insurance industry protects people’s livelihoods, builds wealth for the future, supports Iowa’s diverse economy and gives back generously to communities.  There are approximately 60,000 jobs in Iowa’s insurance industry with salaries 2.3 times higher than Iowa’s average salary.

Students will gain knowledge and exposure to the Iowa Insurance Division’s responsibilities to protect consumers by effectively and efficiently providing a fair, flexible, and positive regulatory environment.  Students chosen for this role will participate in performing our regulatory duties in addition to receiving insurance education course work.  These individuals will learn about the Iowa Insurance Division’s role in state-based insurance regulation, which includes the supervision of insurance companies, insurance agencies, and insurance agents. In addition to learning about each line of insurance (auto, home, life, health, etc.) the interns will also assist with evaluating insurance company market conduct and consumer complaints for compliance with state insurance regulations.

We offer competitive compensation, flexible work hours, and telework opportunities.  This opportunity is available for students across the state of Iowa.  The office location is in Des Moines however there are opportunities to work remotely up to 2 days per week with the balance of the week in our Des Moines office location.  Any junior or senior high school student who would like to explore an employment opportunity within the insurance industry through a summer internship with the Iowa Insurance Division may send a cover letter and resume to internships@iid.iowa.gov.  

More information may be found on our website. Apply today to insure your future tomorrow! Applications accepted through January 15, 2024.

Contests

Accounting Opportunities Experience and High School Case Competition

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The Iowa Society of CPAs’ Accounting Opportunities Experience

The Iowa Society of CPAs is excited to have partnered with other state CPA societies, AICPA, and Center for Audit Quality’s Accounting+ initiative to raise awareness of the accounting profession among high school (and middle school!) students through Accounting Opportunities Experience. A national campaign to bring CPAs into classrooms took place throughout the month of November. We even received a declaration from the governor of Iowa designating the month of November Accounting Opportunities Month! We held in-person presentations across the state to help high school students better understand opportunities in the business world. During 2023 Accounting Opportunities Experience, we reached 1676 Iowa high school students and presented in 39 different schools utilizing almost 50 CPA volunteer presenters! ISCPA is still accepting classrooms and continuing to give presentations throughout the year, not only in November! If you would like to bring CPAs into your classroom, please complete this 2-minute survey and a member of the Iowa Society of CPAs will contact you. Thank you for all you do to inspire the next generation of accounting professionals! 

The Iowa Society of CPAs’ High School Case Competition

The Iowa Society of CPAs (ISCPA) is excited to announce the Second Annual ISCPA High School Case Competition for the spring semester. This is a fantastic opportunity to expose students to the accounting profession! The case provides students an on-going, real-world learning experience – culminating in a day spent in person at a host company, either CPA firm or company, near you! This begins with an ISCPA member scheduling four visits to your accounting class this spring. Members will help supplement the accounting curriculum by teaching four accounting modules to prepare the students for the case. Topics include Accounts Receivable, Bad Debt Expense and other adjusting journal entries, Financing, and Financial Statement Analysis. After four classroom visits students will be ready for the Case Competition, which will be held towards the end of the spring semester in person at a host office. The case provides students the opportunity to finalize yearend financial statements and complete some basic financial statement analysis. In addition to accounting fundamentals, students will practice working in small teams and demonstrate presentation skills.

On the day of the Case Competition, students will be given the case to complete in small groups of approximately four students. ISCPA members will be on hand to assist the groups. During the office visit, students will also have an opportunity to tour the host company, meet a variety of accounting professionals, and enjoy a catered lunch courtesy of the host company. Teams will record and electronically submit their presentations. Once all teams have submitted their recordings, a panel of ISCPA members will judge the presentations and determine the winners. The winning team will be announced at the ISCPA Annual Meeting, receive an ISCPA High School Case Competition trophy, and each member of the winning team will receive a gift card. All participants will receive an ISCPA High School Case Competition t-shirt. This opportunity is open to all accounting students. No class is too big or too small. ISCPA staff will do all of the coordination! Does this sound of interest to you and your students? If so, please contact Natalie Harwood at nharwood@iacpa.org or 515-985-7104 to get signed up.

Upcoming Events

Virtual Teacher License Renewal Course “Small Change

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Building Financial Security” on Nov. 1 benefits both students and adults

Abundant studies illustrate school-based financial education programs impact both students and their teachers. Beyond the impact on students’ financial skills, results show that teachers exponentially benefited from financial literacy classes with improved rates of savings, lower levels of debt, and increased rates of asset accumulation. Iowa K-12 teachers and their students will benefit from “Small Change: Building Financial Security for Educators” with an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach online course starting Wednesday, Nov. 1 from 5-7 p.m.

The course content is embedded in the financial literacy standards of the Iowa Core 21st Century Skills and Social Studies, and connects participants with curricula, resources, and school-based programs for elementary, middle, and high school levels. Educators can earn one Iowa License renewal credit. Registration at https://cvent.me/r9dom0 by October 25, 2023 for the course supports education efforts to increase Iowa students’ financial literacy.

The ‘Small Change: Building Financial Security’ course features vetted curriculum and resources. It has been accepted as a BoEE Endorsement Class for Financial Literacy and Business Teachers.

The educator course focuses on making more informed decisions about financial management and building greater confidence to make small changes that can make a difference. Participants explore gamified lessons that are timely and relevant to themselves personally and to their classroom.

Lesson topics include:

  • Finance Fundamentals—getting organized, smart borrowing, estate planning.
  • Insurance—life, health, disability, long-term care, auto, home, liability coverage.
  • Investing—risk tolerance, investment choices, funding long-term goals.
  • Retirement—preparing for retirement, building a nest egg, Social Security, IPERS.

The course format requires participants to:

  • Participate in a live, virtual 2-hour introductory workshop on Nov. 1, 2023, from 5-7 pm.
  • Complete at least 4 of 12 gamified online lessons covering financial topics.
  • Complete assignments to promote financial literacy and connect with resources.

The course fee is $25 to ISEA members and non-members. Those who do not need license renewal credit may register and audit the course for a $10 fee. Check the ISEA On-line Catalog (https://isea.org/course) for this class.

Register online by Oct. 25 at https://cvent.me/r9dom0. Space is limited.Contacts: Carol Ehlers and Phyllis Zalenski, Human Sciences Specialist in Family Wellbeing with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, 712-732-5056 or xehlers@iastate.edu

News/Accolades

Thanks to all who attended the 2023 Iowa Jump$tart Conference!

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The annual educators conference was a great success!  Nearly 70 attendees spent the day at the DMACC Urban Campus, which provided a fantastic central location in downtown Des Moines near the Iowa State Fair.  The day was full of sessions, networking opportunities, food and activities.  Keynote speaker, Adam Carroll, set the stage with his financial literacy wisdom and a reminder to attendees that we can help young Iowans become capable and informed on financial matters.  Educators wishing to earn license renewal credit have until September 15th to complete their requirements. 

Kyle Osborn, Iowa JumpStart Coalition Board Member and Director of Financial Literacy for the TS Institute, received the 2023 Iowa JumpStart Member of the Year Award and was recognized for his many efforts with the Iowa Personal Finance and Iowa Economics Challenges.  A special thank you to all the presenters, exhibitors, and JumpStart members who made the day possible.

See more information and pictures of our conference on our website.

News/Accolades

Agenda for the Summer Conference is Released!

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The agenda for the conference is packed with new and exciting sessions for our Iowa teachers. There are 15 sessions available that are scheduled in three rooms. Some of our new sessions include ChatGPT and Money Psychology. It doesn’t stop there though. Check out the entire lineup below! Our conference is free and includes a free lunch! Be sure to share the information about our conference with other teachers. Find all the details and register on our conference page!

2023-jumpstart-conference-agendaDownload

News/Accolades, Upcoming Events

Registration is open for our Summer Conference

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Visit our conference page for all the details!

The Iowa Jump$tart Coalition is excited to announce the 21st Annual Personal Finance Conference will be held on August 10th, 2023 at the DMACC Urban Campus in Des Moines, IA. We would love for you to join us for a day full of learning where you are sure to come away with education around your personal finances as well as strategies and resources that you can use with your students at the start of the school year! Keep an eye on further announcements and announcements regarding the conference and feel free to register or submit a session proposal using the links below.

Contests, News/Accolades

The 2023 Econ and Finance Challenges were a huge success!

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The 2023 Personal Finance Challenge and Iowa Economics Challenge saw more than 1,000 students, teachers, and volunteers involved over the course of the 2022-2023 school year. Both events test the knowledge and skills of middle and high school students: the Personal Financial Challenge tests students on income, money management, spending, credit, saving, and investing and the Economics Challenge utilizes Quiz Bowl style exams on economic knowledge.

The Personal Finance Challenge hosted two competitions this school year. The Fall 2022 competition ran from September to December with 745 students and 12 teachers participating. The Spring 2023 competition had 637 students and 8 teachers competing from January to March. The two competitions culminated in 60 students, fifteen teams of four, competing for 1st , 2nd , and 3rd place on April 12th at Drake University and resulted in more than $2,000 in prizes to the participants.

The Economics Challenge hosts competitions in three divisions: Adam Smith for returning competitors, AP, IB, and honors students; David Ricardo for first time competitors; and Milton Friedman for middle school students (grades 6-8). This year saw 163 students and 7 teachers competing in fall and spring challenges. The final challenge brought 80 students (twenty teams of four students) to Drake University on April 19th, with winners taking home prizes totaling more than $2,000.

A great big thank you to the twenty volunteers and also to the sponsors, without whom these events would not be possible: Iowa Division of Banking, The Harkin Institute, Drake University, University of Northern Iowa, ISL Education Lending, and TS Institute.

News/Accolades

Governor Proclaims April 2023 as Financial Literacy Awareness Month

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In this month of April, Iowa Jump$tart would like to encourage all Iowans to take a moment to think about how they can improve their financial capabilities.  Maybe make a goal to read a book or take a community class.  If you need guidance, Iowa Jump$tart and its many partners will gladly help you find resources to help you reach your goals.  This year we are hosting several students for the Financial Literacy Challenge and the Economics Challenge in the month of April to help promote awareness. When you look at it’s core, money is important to our survival and quality of life.  We know how difficult it can be to pay back college loans, to pay taxes, to understand insurance, or to recover from a financial loss like divorce or natural disaster.  We are all in this together.

Contests

CBI MONEY SMART WEEK POSTER CONTEST 2023

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The 2023 Money Smart Week Poster Contest is officially open! Since 1999, Community Bankers of Iowa has sponsored the Money Smart Week Poster Contest as part of April’s Community Banking Month festivities.

Elementary students in 2nd through 6th Grades are eligible. Students should design a poster to answer the question “Why is it important to know about money?” Prizes offered are a $600 Certificate of Deposit for the First Place winner, and $300 Certificates of Deposit for the Second and Third Place winners. Prize CDs will be set up at the banks that submitted the winning posters, and are funded by the Community Bankers of Iowa Education Foundation.

Sponsoring the Money Smart Week Poster Contest is open to all community banks in Iowa. For your convenience we have compiled a free Marketing Kit to assist you in hosting the 2023 Money Smart Week Poster Contest at your bank. Register your bank to participate in the Poster Contest and download the free Marketing Kit materials here. Registering helps CBI inform the public as to which Iowa community banks are sponsoring the 2023 CBI Poster Contest in their area.

Winners will be chosen and notified by May 9, and announced to the public by May 12. Visit our website for more information about the Poster Contest, or email Krissy Lee at klee@cbiaonline.org with questions, for assistance with entry submission, or to request customized marketing materials.

Download the flier!