In September, KPMG LLP, the audit, tax and advisory firm, and Junior Achievement USA (JA) introduced a redeveloped digital curriculum and accompanying technology for the JA Finance Parkprogram, focused on increasing the financial literacy of middle and high school students.

The digital and paperless curriculum and custom software – made possible by a multi-year funding commitment from the KPMG Foundation – enables students to engage in real-world financial activities such as online banking and paying bills via tablet PCs, while being introduced to concepts like insurance, credit and long-term investments. The curriculum also supports real-world simulations through which students are assigned a salary, interact with merchants, and can make payments via issued debit cards.

“KPMG volunteers serve thousands of hours each year working with students through Junior Achievement’s various programs. By supporting JA in the redevelopment of their curriculum, we can better prepare students for financial success through technology they’ve become accustomed to using on a daily basis,” said Kathy Hopinkah Hannan, National Managing Partner for Diversity and Corporate Responsibility at KPMG. “Our relationship with JA is important and part of KPMG’s strategy to support education from early childhood through the post-graduate level in order to help develop the diverse talent pool needed for tomorrow’s workforce.”

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