[mdcpa89]

Hey everyone

I want to volunteer in accounting profession. I am currently employed full time as an accountant in a public accounting firm, and I just want to give back to the community/accounting profession in the form of my accounting knowledge and time. I have no idea what kind of nonprofit organizations are there who need services of an accountant.

Suggestions/Comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[mla1169]

VITA is a volunteer organization doing taxes for those that qualify.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[taxgeek83]

VITA is awesome – this will be the first year in about 8 years I haven't been involved in my local site to at least some extent, and I was the site coordinator for a number of years. There is absolutely nothing more rewarding than seeing the looks on the faces of parents who realize they will have extra money to put towards school clothes, catching up on bills, fixing the car – whatever it may be. I love it! 🙂

[juuustin]

Can someone going into audit (not tax) volunteer for VITA as well, assuming they are a CPA? If everything goes to plan I will pass my remaining three sections next year and by next January I will have the experience requirement met as well. I'd love to volunteer a few Saturdays, but I will be working in audit and not tax.

MD Candidate: 10/1/14

FAR - 87 (11/23/14)
REG - 87 (1/30/15)
BEC - 89 (4/19/15)
AUD - 98 (5/30/15)

Ethics - 100

Experience - In Progress!

[taxgeek83]

Anyone can volunteer for VITA – most of our volunteers are working on internships to earn their associates degrees in business or accounting. You just have to pass a certification test, which isn't a huge deal at all. 🙂

[taxgeek83]

https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/IRS-Tax-Volunteers

Some great information on the program, including how to get involved.

[Anonymous]

@mdcpa If you want to volunteer for a non-profit, I'd think any non-profit probably has accounting needs and in order to help, you'd need to get involved enough for them to trust you with their accounting. I mean, they might be hesitant to turn over all their accounting records to just anyone, but if you get to know the folks that run it or volunteer in other ways and establish a reputation, it might help them feel confident turning over their accounting to you. If there's any specific non-profit causes that you feel strongly about, you might see if you can get in touch with organizations that support those causes and volunteer your services.

[mdcpa89]

Thank you everyone for your feedback. I don't have a local VITA place near my house so that's out of consideration.

Anyone have an idea about CPA societies? Or like working for AICPA as a volunteer?

[juuustin]

I think the IRS Locator Tool is malfunctioning. It says there are no VITA sites within 100 miles of my zip code and I live near two major metropolitan areas. This can't be correct.

MD Candidate: 10/1/14

FAR - 87 (11/23/14)
REG - 87 (1/30/15)
BEC - 89 (4/19/15)
AUD - 98 (5/30/15)

Ethics - 100

Experience - In Progress!

[Anonymous]

I wondered if no locations show up till during tax-season because none are open right now or something like that, because I live in a very poor area where I know I've heard of people getting help with their taxes through VITA and/or related organizations, but none came up when I searched a couple months back.

[ScarletKnightCPA]

You don't even need an accounting degree to volunteer for VITA. I think having a CPA allows you to waive the tests that they require you to take to volunteer but I may be mistakened on that account.

Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
Aud: 77 (Wiley Test Bank)
Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
Bec: 86 (Wiley Test Bank)

MBA in progress

[Anonymous]

I tried the search tool for VITA and showed nothing within a 100 miles… which seemed odd and then I found a footnote on a different page that locations don't show until they are in operation mode which is usually around the end of January.

[Anonymous]

I tried the search tool for VITA and showed nothing within a 100 miles… which seemed odd and then I found a footnote on a different page that locations don't show until they are in operation mode which is usually around the end of January.

[Tncincy]

Did anyone find out about aud experience? How to get it that is via volunteering.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[taxgeek83]

It looks like you might need to send an email to the program expressing your interest, and they will match you up with a site close to you. I think our site generally trains the last two weekends in January and opens the first Saturday in February. Every site is different, but if you are interested I'd imagine you'd have plenty of time to get matched up with a site and get certified to volunteer.

Conversely, my state has a website dedicated to free file options for taxpayers. It comes up if I search my town + VITA program. Included is a list of all of the VITA, AARP and TCE sites around the state. You might be able to do a quick Google search to see if your state/city has something similar. If so, you should be able to contact a site coordinator and/or sponsor directly that way.

I don't know of any other volunteer opportunities, especially as they relate to getting some audit experience. I've only been involved in VITA and as you can probably tell am a pretty big proponent of it. If I hear of anything or come across anything, though, I'll be happy to report back. 🙂

[Anonymous]

I work for a state revenue department, and VITA is the only way I am allowed to prepare income taxes for others. I know our website has a list of VITA-approved organizations on it. You might want to check with your state's revenue department to find organizations that you could work with. I have been doing it for three years, and I love it. I recommend it to everybody. It is very rewarding work.

[Author]

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