These days, we can find personal finance advice in 30 second videos, 280 characters, or even a carousel of images.
That’s right. TikTok, Instagram, Twitter and other social media apps are now hubs for personal finance information.
In fact, the #FinTok hashtag on TikTok has more than 550 million views!
From tax loopholes to building a budget, you can improve your financial literacy by following the right personal finance influencers.
The question is, how do you know if you can trust a personal finance influencer’s content?
What qualifications should they have? What certifications should you look for?
Well, while financial professionals can earn several different certifications, a personal finance CPA might have the right qualifications to help you navigate your financial journey.
What is a Personal Finance CPA?
A personal finance CPA provides education and tools to help individuals improve their financial well-being.
Although individuals should seek a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) or Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) for complex financial planning and advanced wealth building, a personal finance CPA can help you navigate through the early stages of your wealth journey.
How are CPAs qualified to be personal finance advisors?
Here’s how –
Many personal finance concepts are accounting concepts.
Budgets, sinking funds, debt amortization schedules – all accounting!
It’s this application of business accounting concepts that give Personal Finance CPAs a unique and valuable advantage in the personal finance space.
Not only that, because CPAs review investment statements and analyze financial information, they have insight into how real-life individuals and businesses manage their wealth.
Having said that, not all CPAs are knowledgeable in personal finance.
Here are a few qualifications to look for in a personal finance CPA –
Personal Finance Content
Does this professional consistently share qualified personal finance information?
Education and Qualifications
Has this professional demonstrated a well-rounded knowledge of personal finance? Does this professional hold a relative certification such as a CFP, CEPF or other applicable license?
Experience
Has this professional worked with other reputable experts in personal finance? Have they operated in the personal finance space for several years?
Peer Reviews
Has this professional received positive reviews from clients or peers in the personal finance industry?
Application and Services
Does this professional provide practical tools or services to help you navigate through your personal finances?
Top 5 Personal Finance CPAs
Here are five awesome Personal Finance CPAs who meet the criteria listed above.
1. Kemberley “Kemcents” Washington, CPA
Website | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | Television
Content: As a best-selling author, educator and personal finance news contributor, Kemberley provides tips to help individuals conquer their personal finances.
Education and Qualifications: After graduating college, Kemberley transformed her financial situation, paid off her credit card debt and bought a house at age 23.
Ever since then, she has educated others on personal finance.
In addition to the knowledge she gained from experience, Kemberley has also gained personal finance knowledge through academic coursework. Currently, she is completing her Ph.D. in the area of personal finance at Texas Tech University.
Get it girl!
Experience: Kemberley has over 11 years of experience in personal finance. She operates the B.A.D.G.E. plan, a program designed to teach individuals about financial literacy. As such, she provides financial literacy classes to churches, nonprofits, colleges and universities, schools, businesses and private groups.
Remarkably, she has also written dozens of articles for one of the world’s largest financial publications, Forbes Advisor.
Recently, she was named to the AICPA National Financial Literacy Commission. And, she has also worked at Dillard University as a faculty member, where she taught personal finance and business courses.
Peer Reviews: Kemberley has been featured on Forbes, Yahoo! Finance, Fox 8, Black Enterprise, Good Morning America … and much more!
Not only has she been recognized by national brands, hundreds of thousands of consumers have been impacted by her books and resources. Excerpts of her books are available on the YouVersion Bible App and have received more than 200,000 downloads collectively.
Even more impressive, The Ten Commandments to a Financial Healing was the most downloaded plan on YouVersion during June 2014.
Application and Services: As an Amazon Best-Seller, she has authored Are you wearing the B.A.D.G.E.? Financial Planner, 21 Days of Powerful Breakthroughs and a host of other books.
Kemberley also provides tax, accounting and financial planning services as owner and founder of Washington CPA Services, LLC.
Favorite Personal Finance Quote: “No one deserves your money, more than you.”
2. Akiem Jones, CPA, CGFM, CDFM
Content: Akiem is a personal finance author and educator who candidly shares powerful and relevant personal finance content via his grassroots brand, The Solutions Group.
His content helps his community start financial conversations, improve their money mindset and build wealth.
Education and Qualifications: As a real estate and stock market investor, Akiem has well-rounded knowledge not only in financial management, but also in wealth building.
Likewise, Akiem is knowledgeable in accounting as a Senior Manager of a premier financial management and CPA firm.
He is also well-versed in tax planning and tax preparation as a small business CPA.
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Experience: Having more than 10 years of experience in accounting and personal finance, Akiem is able to break down complex financial topics for the everyday person.
Even better, he knows how to speak to the culture and inspire in a way that resonates. As a result, he has been featured on Save & Sip , Property Pastor and other personal finance podcasts.
Peer Reviews: In acknowledgement of his career success and community impact, Akiem was recently named a 40 under 40 Alumni of Old Dominion University.
Application and Services: Akiem’s company, The Solutions Group, offers tax services, financial coaching and a beginning course on Wealth Building.
Admirably, he is a father and a two-time Amazon Best-Seller whose books help children understand personal finance and self-development.
Favorite Personal Finance Quote: “Money isn’t everything, Money is the only thing.” – Floyd Mayweather
3. A’Shira Nelson, CPA
Website | YouTube | Instagram | Television
Content: Through her dynamic brand, Savvy Girl Money, A’Shira is a personal finance activist who helps millennials better than finances, believe that wealth is possible, and budget their way to success.
Education and Qualifications: Having paid off $50,000 of debt in 3 years, A’Shira has become a go-to resource for budgeting, saving, credit management, financial discipline and more.
A’Shira also uses her experience as a mother, real-estate investor, jewelry business owner and Tax Manager to provide knowledge on investing, business, taxes and generational wealth.
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Experience: Six years ago, A’Shira stepped into the personal finance space to share her personal financial journey. Within those six years, she has been featured on Next Advisor (a partner of TIME), chosen to host Forum 360 on PBS and was appointed to the Ohio Society of CPA’s Board of Directors.
Notably, A’Shira is also the co-founder and co-creator of IMPACT, a Northeastern Ohio program that increases Black business owners’ financial network while creating traction for change.
Peer Reviews: A’Shira is a Crain’s Cleveland 40 Under 40 recipient and an award-winning financial activist. She has also been featured on AskZeta, GoCapway and many financial podcasts.
In addition, her budget planners and e-books have received rave reviews from users all over the country.
Application and Services: On SavvyGirlMoney.com, A’Shira provides a Financial Makeover Ebook, Printable Budget Planner and much more.
And, for those who want to cherish family and memories, check out A’Shira’s custom jewlery store at nostalgicjewels.com.
Favorite Personal Finance Quote: “Budgeting my way to success.”
4. Michele Cagan, CPA
Website | Twitter | Blog | Facebook
Content: Through articles, coaching and top-selling books, Michele helps people navigate their personal and business finances to solidify their financial futures.
In a more-than-necessary manner, Michele’s content reaches beyond those seeking financial knowledge. Her content brings hope to people who deal with financial anxiety and also resonates with single moms looking for financial security.
Education and Qualifications: Michele’s qualifications come from both her knowledge as a CPA and a life of resilience.
As someone who has found financial success through the midst of divorce, job loss and motherhood, she has become a valuable and relatable resource for investing, debt management, financial recovery and other personal finance topics.
Experience: Michele has written articles on personal finance for more than 15 years. Her work has been published on well-known financial platforms and publications. Through her writing, she translates complex theories and confusing jargon into everyday clear language.
Furthermore, with more than 20 years of experience as a CPA, she is seasoned in helping people get a good grasp of their personal financial picture.
And, not only does she help people improve their picture, she has also dedicated her career to helping people gain financial independence.
Peer Reviews: Michele has been featured on Stacking Benjamins, Market Wrap with Moe Ansari and other reputable financial podcasts.
Moreover, her books have received hundreds of five-star reviews on Amazon, Good Reads and other online book stores.
OMG love this advice from @michelecagancpa. We all want to solve problems for people we care about- but sometimes the best thing really is to listen. Do you agree? More wisdom from Michele on the podcast. LISTEN: https://t.co/56SU9J0cWR #moneytips #adulting #financialgrownup pic.twitter.com/dET3MGkE4G
— Bobbi Rebell CFP® MoneyTips for Financial Grownups (@bobbirebell) September 3, 2021
Application and Services: As the owner of Michele Cagan, CPA, LLC, Michele provides financial coaching and tax services.
Along with coaching, she provides assistance with budgeting, debt management, financial goal setting, cash flow management and other personal financial matters.
She has written more than 20 books for people who want to learn more about personal finance. Her book topics include financial recovery, business structures, accounting and more.
And, for all of you visual learners who want to improve your financial literacy, check out Michele’s Infographic Guide to Personal Finance.
Favorite Personal Finance Quote: “Everything takes longer and costs more than you think it will, so plan for that.” – Gram.
5. Brennan Schlagbaum, CPA
Website | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok | YouTube
Content: Under his distinguished brand, Budgetdog, Brennan uses relative and creative content to teach financial concepts.
With more than 70,000 Instagram followers, he has cracked the influencer code with clear messaging around personal finance, financial freedom and entrepreneurship.
If you want proof that he has cracked the influencer code, check this out-
In his latest Instagram Reel, he provides a 60 second tutorial on how to conduct investment research to the sound of the infamous party favorite, “This is Hooow We Doooo iiiit.”
If you want to effectively educate and influence young adults in today’s social media environment, THAT is how you do it.
[Pun intended – cue Running Man].
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Education and Qualifications: Brennan paid off $76,000 of debt in 1 year. He paid off his house before 30. And, he is on track to become a millionaire by age 32.
Talk about ambition!
His personal journey, along with his experience as a former Big 4 Audit Manager, contribute to his extraordinary ability to inspire and educate others.
Experience: For more than six years, Brennan has used his personal financial journey to help others improve their finances.
During those six-years, he built a six-figure side business while working a full-time job.
He has also taught personal finance as a guest speaker at Boston University and written e-books on investing and retirement.
Peer Reviews: Brennan has been featured on The Investor’s Podcast Network and other credible financial platforms.
His financial success and engaging personality have been recognized by leaders in personal finance, including Ramsey Solutions.
Moreover, his Budgetdog tools and resources have received dozens of positive reviews from people of all backgrounds looking to improve their finances.
Application and Services: Having a proven formula for financial success, Brennan provides others with the tools he used to pay off debt, start a profitable business and build an investment portfolio.
You can find his Budget Template, Budget to Financial Freedom Course, Investing 101 book and more on his online store.
Finally, as a new father, he co-created a financial course to help teens and young adults (ages 12+) learn money basics. Those basics include buying your first car, applying for scholarships, learning step-by-step how to invest in the stock market and more. To check out this course, visit Money University.
Favorite Personal Finance Quote: “”Life is about making an impact, not making an income.” – Kevin Kruse
In Conclusion
These Top 5 personal finance CPAs have demonstrated resounding success in helping others improve their financial well-being.
In addition to overcoming the rigorous challenges to earn and sustain a career as a CPA, they have thoroughly educated themselves in personal finance to teach others in the beginning of their financial journey.
Do you know a successful Personal Finance CPA? If so, share their success with The Little CPA!
And, of course this list of Top Personal Finance CPAs would not be complete without giving The Little CPA an honorable mention.Through blogs, tools and resources, The Little CPA uses 4 key fundamentals to help thriving professionals make wise financial decisions.
For qualified information on financial management, financial growth, financial generosity and financial freedom, subscribe and follow The Little CPA!