CHICAGO, Nov. 16, 1999 (PRIMEZONE) -- Ibbotson Associates today announced that it has entered into a strategic distribution alliance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the premier national professional organization of CPAs. Ibbotson's financial needs analysis and asset allocation software program, Portfolio Strategist(TM), will be distributed by the AICPA as part of the new Center for Investment Advisory Services. The interactive virtual center can be viewed at http://investmentadvisory.aicpa.org.
"We created the Center for Investment Advisory Services to encourage all AICPA members, whether they are just entering the investment advisory business or are seasoned advisors, to include this exciting service line as they build or expand their financial planning practice," commented Chuck Peck, AICPA Senior Vice President, Marketing, Product & Organizational Development. "CPAs today are trusted business advisers, so the ability to assess financial needs and develop an appropriate asset allocation mix for clients or for firms is essential. We researched independent reviews of asset allocation products on the market, and we found Ibbotson's Portfolio Strategist(TM) to be a high-quality, well-reviewed product."
The Center for Investment Advisory Services is a cluster of resources that enables AICPA members and their firms to get the tools, training, resources and relationships they need to deliver top-quality investment advisory services to clients. Ibbotson's Portfolio Strategist(TM) will be available to AICPA members at a discount to the retail price.
"The AICPA is a distinguished association that strives through education and community to promote 'best practices' in the accounting industry, and we are proud to be associated with them," said Mike Henkel, President of Ibbotson Associates. "We are very pleased that the AICPA is making its membership aware of the benefits of our Portfolio Strategist(TM) software. This software is a powerful tool that allows financial professionals to build better portfolios by determining the asset mix that offers the best chance of achieving the highest return for a given level of risk."
Headquartered in New York, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants is the national professional organization of CPAs, with more than 330,000 members in business and industry, public practice, government and education.
Ibbotson Associates, founded by Professor Roger Ibbotson in 1976, is the world's leading authority on asset allocation, providing products and services to help investment professionals make the best asset allocation decisions for their clients.
The company's business lines include consulting and research; investment forecasting, planning and analysis software; educational services ranging from on-site workshops to computer based training; and a widely used line of presentation materials designed to educate clients on asset allocation concepts and investment principles. With offices in Chicago and New York, Ibbotson Associates fills a growing need in the finance and investment industry for an independent, single source provider of investment knowledge, practical application expertise, leading edge technology, educational services and sales presentation tools. Ibbotson markets its integrated product line of investment analytical tools and services to institutional money managers, plan sponsors, and consultants for quantitative analysis, high level decision making and presentations. The company's clients also include financial planners, brokers, mutual fund firms, private bankers and small money managers.