Instructions for use
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This slide deck gives an overview of the disaster recovery program and the key
players involved.
Use this slide deck when talking to reporters face-to-face and when presenting to
community organizations or civic leaders about the disaster planning and
recovery program
DO NOT USE THIS WITH PEOPLE AFFECTED BY DISASTER OR WHEN
COUNSELING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC – they are not the intended audience.
Leave a copy behind with reporters and community organizations after you meet
with them. If you talk to them over the telephone instead of having a face-to-face
meeting, ask if you can send them copies of the slides either by email or by fax
(print out copies in “pure black and white” if faxing the slides).
Please customize the slide deck as necessary – add your firm’s logo, your name
and date. Modify the design template if necessary to conform with your firm’s
presentation requirements.
11Apr03
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DRAFT
A collaboration between
the American Red Cross,
National Endowment for
Financial Education,
AICPA Foundation and
the CPA profession
(YOUR NAME)
(YOUR FIRM’S NAME)
(CITY)
(FIRM
LOGO
HERE)
Disaster Recovery: A Guide to Financial Issues
Disaster Strikes.
And Life Suddenly Changes.
Routines may be shattered…
Jobs disrupted…
Property destroyed.
Loved ones may be lost…
WHAT DO YOU DO NEXT?
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Disaster Recovery: A Guide to Financial Issues
 Overview
 Purpose
 Users
 Contents
 Role of the CPA
 Contributors
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OVERVIEW
 Three-part, comprehensive, 32-page color booklet
 Helps to minimize financial impact of disaster
 Part 1: Steps to take immediately after disaster
 Part 2: Steps to take in weeks & months after
 Part 3: Steps to take in planning for the future
 Speaks to a consumer audience
 Content written by NEFE; technical reviews and input from the AICPA
 The guide is offered as a public service of the AICPA, AICPA
Foundation, American Red Cross and NEFE
 Distributed by local American Red Cross Chapters free of charge; available for
download at:
www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_605_,00.html
 Used by local CPAs with disaster victims to help them rebuild their lives and plan
for the future
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PURPOSE OF THE GUIDE
To protect the public interest by helping people
recover from disaster, minimize the financial impact of
disaster and develop a contingency plan for the future.
 There is no other comprehensive, authoritative, easy-to-use
disaster recovery resource available today
 The guide helps people focus on rebuilding their lives
 CPAs are adept at analyzing the options, recommending
solutions and implementing a financial recovery plan
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USERS OF THE GUIDE
 Individuals and families affected by disaster
 CPA financial planners or other types of financial planners
 Local American Red Cross chapters and volunteers
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CONTENTS OF THE GUIDE
 Three part-guide:
 Part I Defines steps to take immediately following a disaster,
such as restoring household stability, managing an injury or
disability and financial decisions after death.
 Part II Identifies steps to take in the weeks and months after
disaster has occurred to help people affected try to settle into
normal routine by establishing a steady flow of income, handling
expenses and debt, and working through potential law suits or
other settlements.
 Part III Illustrates steps to take in planning for the future and
moving on with life in areas such as assessing financial needs,
getting retrained for a job, and estate planning.
 Also contains brief, easy-to-follow checklist for proactive steps
to prepare for possible disaster in the future
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ROLE OF THE CPA
 Overall mission: protect the public interest by helping to
minimize the financial impact of disasters on the public
 Help local American Red Cross chapters and community
leaders understand the importance of the guide to their
community members
 Use the guide to counsel people affected by disasters
Work with local American Red Cross chapters to obtain
referrals to people affected by disaster
Help disaster victims navigate the process of recovery
through expert financial planning advice
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CONTRIBUTORS TO THE GUIDE
 National Endowment for Financial Education
Non-profit foundation dedicated to helping Americans
acquire their information and gain the skills necessary to
take control of the personal finances. www.nefe.org
 American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
National professional organizations of CPAs with more than
330,000 members in business and industry, public practice,
government, and education. www.aicpa.org
 American Red Cross
Led by 1.2 million volunteers and 36,000 employees, annually
mobilizes relief to families affected by more than 67,000
disasters. This year alone, the Red Cross assisted more than
550,000 families affected by disaster. www.redcross.org
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