Paula McMillan

Paula McMillan, CFP®, CPA/PFS, CGMA

Connect with Paula on LinkedIn | Mobile/Text: 336.337.9507

Overview:

A recognized national thought-leader in navigating financial wellness, retirement readiness and women and money. Paula McMillan, CFP®, CPA/PFS, CGMA is passionate about helping people balance living a desired lifestyle today with accumulating the savings needed for tomorrow.

Professional Contributions:

• • -Published and quoted in national and local publications, including CNBC, US News & World Report, The Tax Adviser, Journal of Accountancy, Kiplinger’s, The Business Journal, How Stuff Works and more.
  • -Created two national AICPA podcast series on retirement planning and women and wealth
  • -TEDx presenter on the topic of Retirement: Longevity and Security.
  • -Delivers presentations to national, regional and local audiences on investment and financial life planning related topics.

Professional Involvement:

• • • -AICPA Advanced Personal Financial Planning Conference Committee, Investment Subcommittee Lead
    • -AICPA Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) Credential Committee
    • -Society of Financial Service Professionals Board
    • -Society of Financial Service Professionals Foundation Board, Chair
    • -Plenteous Financial Forum
    • -NCACPA Triad Women’s Initiatives Group, Founder and Chair
    • -Greensboro Estate Planning Council Board
    • -NAPFA

Personal:

Living in a log cabin on 11 acres in Summerfield, NC, husband Zach, son Zahn and Paula enjoy being in nature – biking, hiking, running, kayaking, water skiing or just chasing around their pound puppy, Johnny Cash.

Resources by Paula:

FINANCIAL WELLNESS

• • • • Here Are Three Ways Your Tax Return Can Help You Save – CNBC: Smart tax planning tips for 2020.
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      • Yearend Tax Planning Strategies- AICPA LinkedIn Live: Yearend tax planning strategies delivered via LinkedIn Live interview/discussion.
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      • From Return to Plan – Taxes: The Start of Your Financial Plan-AICPA Take Charge: Your Money, Your Life: We all have some form of a plan for retirement. Some could fit on a Post-It Note, while others could be in a 100 page binder. What goes into a “comprehensive financial plan”? How does it differ from what you have today?  How do you get there?
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      • 16 Year-End Financial Planning Tips from the AICPA: Tax and financial planning strategies to take advantage of before the window of opportunity closes at year-end.
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      • Tax Strategies for Child Care Changes During the Coronavirus Pandemic – US News & World Report: New rules and strategies can help you make the most out of tax breaks if your child care needs change this year. It was a pleasure to work with reporter, Kimberly Lankford on this.
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      • Presentations Offered:
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RETIREMENT

• • • • TEDx Retirement Longevity and Security:  Will you have enough money in retirement? In other words, will you be able to weather thirty years of inflation, taxes and market volatility with no paycheck? If not, you are not alone. After all, retirement systems that provide retirees with financial support have changed.
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      • AICPA Retirement Podcast Series: Take a moment to dial into the Retirement Podcast Series to better understand key challenges, opportunities and solutions in retirement planning tackling issues such as:
        • ***Will Your Clients Have Enough to Retire?
        • ***What is the National State of Retirement?
        • ***Making Conversations Count: Integrated Financial Planning
        • ***Lessons From the Ninth Hole: What Current Retirees Have to Say
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      • Get Your Retirement Back on Course: Saving for retirement can be a challenge in the best of times. After a year like 2020, the task may seem almost insurmountable.
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      • Amid Uncertainty, Financial Planning Clients Stick with Long-Term Plans – Journal of Accountancy: With financial plans built for the long term, major adjustments shouldn’t be necessary. Advisers who know their clients well and had already been doing the appropriate level of planning have been able to focus on identifying strategic opportunities rather than significant changes. After all, part of the reason we plan is because you do not want to be trying to fix the airplane as you are flying through the air.
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      • What is Long-term Care Insurance and Do You Need It? – How Stuff Works: To buy, not buy or one of the choices in between. This article provides important factors that should be considered in making your decision.
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      • The Cheapskate’s Guide to Retirement-Kiplinger: While there are many paths to wealth, most people who stay wealthy have a healthy respect for money – and can be very resourceful in their frugality. Paula enjoyed working with Kiplinger’s Retirement Report Editor, Mary Kane,  on this engaging, informative piece!
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      • Top Seven Mistakes When Claiming Social Security Benefits_AICPA The Tax Adviser: The first place most people start when planning for retirement income is Social Security. These are the top seven mistakes I see when claiming Social Security benefits. These are frequently made mistakes that can be very costly!
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      • Social Security: Now or Later?-Kiplinger: In claiming Social Security, delaying benefits will increase the size of your checks. However, it’s not the best strategy for everyone. It was such a pleasure to work with Sandra Block, Kiplinger Retirement Report Editor, on this engaging, informative piece!
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      • Presentations Offered: To Be Retirement Ready, Plan Now ; Inflation, Tax Volatility and No Paycheck ; Strategic Social Security Planning ; Investing and IRA Planning for Boomers ;  Managing Healthcare Costs in Retirement

WOMEN AND MONEY

• • • AICPA Women and Wealth Podcast Series: Take a moment to dial into the Women and Wealth Podcast Series to better understand key challenges, opportunities and solutions in advising women tackling issues such as:
      • *** Financial Influence on the Move
      • *** Breadwinner Women Sandwiched Between Career, Children and Caregiver
      • *** Women Navigating Divorce, Independence and Finances
      • *** Widow Can Feel Like A Four Letter Word: Supporting the Surviving Spouse
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    • Women Breadwinners Bear Brunt, Feel Ill-Prepared-The Business Journal: As the primary breadwinners in 40% of families, women are increasingly moving into the driver’s seat when it comes to family finances. Surprisingly, instead of being cheered on by their relatives and others, most women disclose a different experience.
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    • AICPA Women Taking the Reins – Financial Influence on the Move: There is a shift in influence underway. Maybe you have seen it, heard it, or felt it. You are more likely to see more and more women at the table with you, seeking planning opportunities.
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    • Presentations Offered: Women Taking the Reins