The Roanoke College Institute for Policy and Opinion Research has conducted a survey of Virginia’s economic environment involving consumer thoughts on their finances, business conditions, the likelihood of purchasing durable goods and their price expectations. More than 600 Virginia residents were surveyed  between Jan. 30 and Feb. 6. Results have been categorized into the Virginia Index of Current Conditions and the Virginia Index of Consumer Sentiment.

Here is the press release from Roanoke College.   Read more »

Community Housing Partners is offering a free homebuyer education class to all residents in the New River Valley. The two-night class will cover personal finance, home loans, mortgages and more.

Here’s the press release from Community Housing Partners. Read more »

Gov. Bob McDonnell wants for Virginia’s high schools to teach students about economics and personal finance. The Governor’s Challenge in Economics and Personal Finance is a new initiative that seeks to get courses in high schools that will prepare students to manage finances and understand the economy.

Here is the press release from the Office of Gov. Bob McDonnell. Read more »

Certified Public Accountants across Virginia plan to participate in the CPA Day of Service Sept. 23, part of Virginia CPA Week.

More than 600 CPAs will work on volunteer activities of their choice for the event, hosted by the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants. The day is intended for CPAs to give back to their communities and step outside of their normal duties and activities.

Here’s the full news release from the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants:

Hundreds of Certified Public Accountants (CPA) and volunteers will take the day off from work in service of others across the Commonwealth. It’s all part of CPA Day of Service on Friday, Sept. 23, 2011. CPA firms and individual CPAs across Virginia will unite together for volunteer activities of their choice. Hosted by the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA), this single day of volunteer service represents the CPA profession’s ongoing commitment to serving the communities where its professionals live and work.
 
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The Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants will offer a free online workshop on budgeting, led by an experienced CPA, Sept. 20.

Here’s the full news release from the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants:

The Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA) is pleased to offer a free Financial Fitness Workshop titled “Budgeting 101″ on Tuesday, Sept. 20. This virtual workshop will take place via Internet and conference call. It will be led by an experienced CPA, and will help you prepare your personal budget.

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SunTrust will be accepting donations to the American Red Cross at offices in Roanoke, New River Valley, Bedford and other areas in Western Virginia. Here’s the full news release from SunTrust Banks:

SunTrust Banks, Inc. (NYSE: STI) announced it is making a $100,000 donation from the SunTrust Foundation to the American Red Cross to assist with its hurricane relief efforts. SunTrust also will be accepting donations to the American Red Cross at branch offices across its Western Virginia region to include the geographies of Winchester, Front Royal, Culpeper, Warrenton, Orange, Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Staunton, Waynesboro, Lexington, Lynchburg, Bedford, Martinsville, South Boston, Roanoke and New River Valleys of Virginia and Charleston, West Virginia.

“The efficiency and effectiveness of the American Red Cross makes them an ideal partner during times such as these,” stated Brenda Skidmore, representing the SunTrust Foundation. “The breadth and capabilities of the Red Cross ensure immediate relief and a strong presence in those areas of greatest need.”

Brown, Edwards & Company LLP, a regional accounting firm with offices in Roanoke, has been named to INSIDE Public Accounting’s “Beyond the IPA’s 100,” a listing of the country’s largest accounting firms based on fiscal performance. Here’s the full news release from Brown Edwards:

Brown, Edwards & Company, L.L.P. has been named to INSIDE Public Accounting’s (IPA) Beyond the IPA’s 100.  The rankings are based on 2010 U.S. net revenue.  IPA is the industry’s leading trade newsletter, and the report is the most accurate listing of the nation’s largest accounting firms based on fiscal performance. 

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Radford University’s Student Managed Investment Portfolio Organization recently won the Value Fund Category at a national investment education forum. Here is a press release from RU:

RU’s Student Managed Investment Portfolio Organization (SMIPO) earned first place in the Value Fund category at the Redefining Investment Strategy Education (RISE) XI Forum in Dayton, Ohio recently.  SMIPO’s top placement results from its portfolio performance in 2010, with the fund producing the highest risk-adjusted returns in the Value Fund category.  For the year, SMIPO delivered a 19.74% rate of return, trouncing the S&P500 benchmark return of 15.06%.

“Not only did we come together to have a winning presentation for one day, but we continually produced strong returns throughout the entire year, “ said Ashley Hall, outgoing president.  “The commitment and teamwork in SMIPO has been phenomenal this year and we have learned that it takes each person in the organization performing their best work to be successful.” Read more »

The financial services firm Edward Jones is holding an open house tomorrow at its office on Blue Hills Village Drive. Here are the event details and more information about Edward Jones:

Danny Lugar, a local financial advisor for the financial services firm Edward Jones, invites the public to attend an open house from from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, April 19, 2011, at 3621 Blue Hills Village Drive, Suite E, Roanoke, VA. Refreshments will be served.

Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliate, in Canada. Every aspect of the firm’s business, from the types of investment options offered to the location of branch offices, is designed to cater to individual investors in the communities in which they live and work. The firm’s 10,000-plus financial advisors work directly with nearly 7 million clients to understand their personal goals — from college savings to retirement — and create long-term investment strategies that emphasize a well-balanced portfolio and a buy-and-hold strategy. Edward Jones embraces the importance of building long-term, face-to-face relationships with clients, helping them to understand and make sense of the investment options available today.

Edward Jones is headquartered in St. Louis. The Edward Jones interactive Web site is located at www.edwardjones.com, and its recruiting Web site is www.careers.edwardjones.com.

Appalachian Power is seeking state approval to collect $115 million in new revenue that would mean an average increase of 9.6 percent for the utility’s 500,000 Virginia customers.

Reporter Brian Kelley has more on the story here.