MYCPE ONE

Figuring Out: Financial Planning for Special Needs Families | Podcast #59 1 Credit

Figuring Out: Financial Planning for Special Needs Families | Podcast #59 1 Credit

  • Mary McDirmid

    | ChSNC, ChFC

  • Rating

    4.6

  • Published on

    December, 2025

  • Subject Area

    Finance

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Learning Objectives

  • Recognize unique financial challenges families face supporting lifelong care needs.
  • Explain how traditional planning differs from special needs planning discussions.
  • Identify emotional and psychological barriers impacting long-term decisions.
  • Determine how CPAs can partner with advisors to guide complex conversations.
  • Apply podcast insights to build stronger trust with overwhelmed families.

Course Overview

Some conversations don’t just teach you something, they stay with you — and this one does exactly that.

This CPE episode is built from a powerful podcast conversation with Mary McDirmid, who opens up about her journey from traditional tax work to becoming a purpose-driven financial planner for families raising children with rare diseases and lifelong care needs. Instead of a technical lecture, listeners are brought directly into a raw and personal dialogue about navigating medical uncertainty, building trust with overwhelmed parents, and creating financial plans that must outlive the caregivers themselves.

Through Mary’s stories, the episode reveals why typical planning frameworks fall short for special needs families and how financial professionals can step in, not just with numbers, but with empathy, clarity, and structure. The conversation blends humor, vulnerability, and real client moments to help CPAs understand the emotional, logistical, and financial layers behind these high-stakes decisions. 

Major Topics:

  • Special needs financial planning
  • Lifelong care considerations
  • CPA–advisor communication
  • Emotional decision challenges
  • Purpose-driven client service

On Demand Credits for All Qualifications

License details Credits Status
Finance for Certified Public Accountants (CPA-US) 1 CPE Approved
Elder, Special Needs and Chronic Illness Planning for Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) 1 CPD Eligible
Finance for Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) 1 PL Eligible
Financial Planning for Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) 1 CE Eligible
Finance for Delaware Licensed Public Accountant (DE-LPA) 1 CPE Approved
Estate Planning for Trust and Estate Practitioners (TEP) 1 CPD Eligible
Financial Planning for Certified Wealth Strategist (CWS) 1 CE Eligible
Financial Planning for Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) 1 CE Eligible
Financial Planning for Certified Fiduciary and Investment Risk Specialist (CFIRS) 1 CE Eligible
Financial Planning for Financial Services Certified Professional (FSCP) 1 CE Eligible
Financial Planning for Wealth Management Certified Professional (WMCP) 1 CE Eligible
Financial Planning for Chartered Advisor in Senior Living (CASL) 1 CE Eligible
Finance for Iowa Licensed Public Accountant (IA-LPA) 1 CPE Approved
Finance for CIPM 1 PL Eligible
Finance for Maine Licensed Public Accountant (ME-LPA) 1 CPE Approved
Financial Planning for Chartered Special Needs Consultant (ChSNC) 1 CE Eligible

Additional Information

Credit

1

Course Level

Basic

Instructional Method

QAS Self Study

Group Internet Based

Pre-requisites

None

Advance Preparation

None

NASBA APPROVED

MY-CPE LLC, 1600 Highway 6 south, suite 250, sugar land, TX, 77478

MY-CPE LLC is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.

About Experts

Mary McDirmid

Mary McDirmid | ChSNC, ChFC

Co-Founder, All Needs Planning

  • 4.6
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Mary is a co-founder of All Needs Planning, bringing experience from her two-year tenure as managing director with MassMutual Northwest in Spokane, Washington. For three years, she concurrently operated her own special needs financial planning firm, deepening her expertise in helping families plan for children with unique requirements. Mary’s professional drive is enriched by her personal experience as a parent of a special needs child, which fuels her role as a volunteer advocate for children with rare diseases.


Currently, Mary’s leadership at All Needs Planning focuses on providing specialized financial services for families managing disability or rare disease challenges. Her commitment to advocacy and personalized planning has made her a trusted partner for families navigating complex financial futures.

Saulsony

Saul Sony

Director, MYCPE ONE

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As Director – Partnerships, Content Strategy, and M&A Advisory, I drive growth at the intersection of education, strategic alliances, and transaction advisory within accounting and professional services.

I partner with thought leaders, firms, and content creators to build high-impact collaborations and deliver compliance-ready content that helps professionals educate, influence, and scale on the MY-CPE ONE platform. I work closely with CPA and accounting firm owners to support MYCPE ONE's inorganic growth strategy identifying the right partners and aligning them toward shared goals.

In the M&A and advisory space, I work closely with private equity firms, accounting leaders, and advisors to create educational resources that support practice growth, succession planning, and deal execution. Through podcasts, webinars, and curated learning experiences, my goal is to enable smarter dealmaking and build stronger professional alignment. I work with CPA and Accounting Firm owners to collectively help MYCPE ONE's inorganic growth plans.

On Demand FAQs

What is Self Study (QAS)?

Self Study QAS (Quality Assurance Service) is a NASBA and other regulatory bodies approved program designed for Professionals to complete their Continuing Professional Education credits through self-paced, interactive courses that meet the highest standards of quality and compliance. Our courses qualify for credits with NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, HRCI, SHRM, Payroll Org, FP Canada, and 25+ other professional organizations.

How do I earn CPE credits through self-study?

To earn CPE credits, you must complete the self-study course, pass the required assessments, and submit the necessary documentation. Credits are awarded based on the completion of course hours and successfully passing the assessments.

Are the self-study courses accepted by NASBA and other professional organizations?

MY-CPE LLC courses are accepted for continuing education credit by various professional certification programs, including NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, and HRCI. MY-CPE LLC is also recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP® and SHRM-SCP® recertification activities.

What are the requirements to maintain compliance with self-study courses?

To maintain compliance, you must follow the guidelines set by NASBA and other regulatory bodies, which include completing the course within the specified timeframe, passing the assessments, and keeping accurate records of your learning activities.

How can I access my course completion certificates?

After successfully completing a self-study course and passing the assessments, you can access and download your course completion certificates from your account dashboard on our platform. These certificates are recognized by NASBA, IRS, CFP Board, HRCI, SHRM, Payroll Org, FP Canada, and 25+ other professional organizations for compliance and reporting purposes.

How are credits reported to governing bodies?

We issue instant credit certificates, ensuring they are valid for presentation to governing bodies. Typically, we report IRS, CTEC, CFP, IDFP, IWI, VBOA Ethics credits within 7 days – the fastest in the industry.

Reviews and Ratings

out of 5

Excellent (88%)

Very Good (6%)

Average (6%)

Poor

Terrible

HK

Heidi Kontny, CPA (US)

5

I am a CPA and have a special needs child. Thank you so much!

SA

Shivangi Agrawal, CPA (US)

5

Good.

Figuring Out: Financial Planning for Special Needs Families | Podcast #59

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