Janice Zajac uses her skills to banish financial illiteracy: she has seen both sides of the coin. With experience as a CPA in industry, as well as in a CPA firm, Janice M. Zajac, CPA, MBA, MB is now tackling personal financial planning, with a mission to slay the demon of financial illiteracy. Catalyst spoke with Zajac about her experience as a consultant and advocate on how CPAs can make a difference.

• Author: Spieker, Sandy
• Position: Member SPOTLIGHT - Interview

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Having worked in both industry and public practice, what do you consider the best aspects of each?

Public accounting exposes an accountant to a broad spectrum of businesses as well as the multiple aspects of the client's operation-as a third party, objective consultant. Corporate environments, however, require the accountant to understand and appreciate every aspect of the business operation within that corporation-as an employee of that corporation. While working within a corporate tax department, I needed to have a more in-depth understanding of how the various operations of the organization affected the preparation of tax returns and corporate statements. That way, I could contribute to the success of that organization.

What first interested you in teaching others about financial literacy?

I wanted to help others. When I entered the workforce, I applied the formal accounting processes that I learned in college to business. I was struck by the commonality between the fundamentals I learned from my family and the structure of a formal business environment. I realized simple principles could be expanded to include some aspects of the formal accounting standards. These principles could then benefit families and individuals.

What are some of the ways you are helping increase financial literacy?

I teach seminars on financial responsibility at area schools. Last school year I gave 10 presentations. So far this school year, I've made 17 presentations and I have 5 more booked. With the mandate for financial literary in the schools in 2009-2010, the schools are starting to welcome outside speakers.

Also, I have been working with a senior citizen center to assist with various financial questions. I donate my time because I believe the more individuals I can reach, the more I can help, especially children and the elderly.

What are some of your favorite experiences teaching others about financial literacy?

After teaching a financial responsibility course, I met the mother of one of the students at another presentation. The woman shared with me how her daughter came home after her school and told the whole family what she had learned from the presentation. It was nice to know the information was not only sinking in, but being passed on to others.

More recently, I opened my door at Halloween and a little girl, about 10 years old, looked at me and said, "You came in our class to teach us about money." Then she looked up at her...