VSCPA Volunteer Opportunities

Make a difference: Volunteer for the VSCPA

By committing just a few hours of your time, you can make a significant impact on your profession, career and community.

Search the following comprehensive list of VSCPA volunteer opportunities to find the activities that best suit you. Then click here to sign up. Or click here for a current roster of select committees and task forces.

• Committees & Task Forces
• Community Service
• Leadership Appointments
• Legislative Programs
• Speaking & Media Opportunities
• Student & Member Outreach
• Writing Articles
• Young Professionals

Committees & Task Forces | Top

Educators' Symposium Task Force

The Educators' Symposium is a one-day conference designed to foster communication between accounting educators at Virginia's colleges and universities while providing a forum to discuss current topics, future trends and share ideas on accounting education. The Task Force develops the Educators' Symposium agenda and brainstorms potential speakers. Expect two to three meetings via conference call. Educators and members with an interest in accounting education are preferred for selection. If selected, you will help plan the 2011 symposium.

• Time commitment: 10–15 hours over six months
• Number of new volunteers: Up to 6
• Questions? E-mail the staff
• Deadline to volunteer: September 18, 2010 

Community Service | Top

Financial Fitness Day Volunteers

The VSCPA's financial literacy initiative, Financial Fitness, reaches out to the community and educates the public on topics related to money management and fiscal responsibility. Financial Fitness Day is a community service event held annually during Financial Literacy Month (the month of April) at sites statewide. Volunteer CPAs man informational booths to offer free resources and materials to local communities. Members may sign up for two-hour shifts in the morning or afternoon, or they may volunteer for a whole day (four hours).

• Time commitment: 4 hours or less
• Number of new volunteers: Unlimited
• Questions? E-mail the staff or click here for more information
• Deadline to volunteer: March 20, 2010

Nonprofit Pro Bono Assistance Program

The VSCPA matches Virginia nonprofit organizations in need of financial assistance with CPAs who want to get involved in their communities. VSCPA fellow members interested in offering pro bono services (advice and financial guidance on financial literacy topics, including auditing, boards of directors service, general volunteer work, tax planning, etc.) will be notified of new opportunities in their area. The volunteer and the requesting organization determine the time commitment.

• Time commitment: Variable; see above
• Number of new volunteers: Unlimited
• Questions? E-mail the staff or click here for more information
• Deadline to volunteer: None
• Click here to volunteer for the Nonprofit Pro Bono Assistance Program now. 

Public Service Opportunities

Through its new public service initiative, the VSCPA aims to promote community outreach by highlighting different  volunteer opportunities that all members can take advantage of. There are hundreds of organizations in need of assistance everyday. The Public Service Task Force chooses a statewide organization (or cause) each year and promotes the volunteer opportunities to VSCPA members. Because of rising food costs during the current economic downturn, Virginia Food Banks and the Meals on Wheels organizations find it increasingly difficult to provide food to elderly and needy Virginians. VSCPA members can help! Click on the link below to find out how you can get involved.

• Time commitment: Variable
• Number of new volunteers: Unlimited
• Questions? E-mail the staff or click here for more information
• Deadline to volunteer: None

CPA Day of Service 

The VSCPA's public service initiative enhances the image of CPAs in their communities by promoting a unified and ongoing commitment to public service. CPA Day of Service is a statewide community service event where VSCPA members have the unique opportunity to join together on a single day and volunteer for the service project of their choice. Firms and Individual members may sign up for part of the day, or they may volunteer for the whole day. The CPA Day of Service date for September 2010 will be announced soon.  Click on the link below to find out how you can get involved.

• Time commitment: Variable; see above
• Number of new volunteers: Unlimited
• Questions? E-mail the staff or click here for more information
• Deadline to volunteer: None

Virginia Disaster Recovery Help Program

VSCPA members help businesses and individuals recover from the financial and tax consequences of natural disasters. Volunteers receive opportunities to provide free financial and tax advice to businesses and individuals requesting assistance, serve to counsel disaster victims at Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster recovery sites around the Commonwealth and are invited to serve on Regional Preparedness Advisory Committees (RPACs) which meet annually to focus on the Governor’s strategic disaster recovery program. The amount of time required depends upon the disaster recovery opportunities selected.

• Time commitment: Variable; see above
• Number of new volunteers: Unlimited
• Questions? E-mail the staff or click here for more information
• Deadline to volunteer: None
• Click here to volunteer for Virginia Disaster Recovery now.

Virginia Military Tax Help Program

The VSCPA supports military personnel by offering free financial and tax assistance to Virginia-based members of the U.S. armed forces. Through the Virginia Military Tax Help Program, licensed Virginia CPAs help qualified military personnel understand tax filing extensions and other exclusions available to them from the IRS and Virginia Department of Taxation. The amount of time required depends upon the number of requests for assistance and their complexity. This program will remain active as long as there are U.S. military serving in combat zones.

• Time commitment: Variable; see above
• Number of new volunteers: Unlimited
• Questions? E-mail the staff or click here for more information
• Deadline to volunteer: None
• Click here to volunteer for Virginia Military Tax Help now.

Leadership Appointments | Top

Legislative Programs | Top

Key Person Network

Volunteers communicate VSCPA positions to legislators and government officials on key issues while maintaining relationships with legislators, acting as a resource on legislation, reporting upcoming issues to the VSCPA and occasionally attending fund raisers and events. The VSCPA provides resources and free training. Your time commitment depends on the legislative issues.

• Time commitment: Variable; see above
• Number of new volunteers: Unlimited
• Questions? E-mail the staff
• Deadline to volunteer: None
• Click here to sign up for the Key Person Network.

Speaking & Media Opportunities  | Top

Speakers Bureau

When you volunteer for the Speakers Bureau, the VSCPA adds your name to a database of potential speakers based upon your area(s) of expertise. You then serve as a contact for speaking engagements at VSCPA chapters, VSCPA member companies/firms, CPE events, nonprofit organizations, professional organizations, corporations, etc. The VSCPA strives to accommodate each speaker's requests (time, venue and topic) and provides materials and/or staff support as needed. Speeches, brochures, articles and presentation materials are available at no charge. The volunteer and the requesting organization determine the time commitment.

• Time commitment: Variable; see above
• Number of new volunteers: Unlimited
• Questions? E-mail the staff or click here for more information
• Deadline to volunteer: None
• Click here to sign up for the Speakers Bureau now.

Student & Member Outreach | Top

CPA Connection Mentoring Program

This exciting mentoring program connects experienced CPAs with students to offer career advice, answer questions, provide networking opportunities and strengthen students' professional and academic experience. As the VSCPA receives student requests for mentors, volunteers are notified to contact their assigned student via e-mail. Contact is primarily through e-mail, but volunteers and students may opt to expand communications to a firm visit or internship opportunity. Your time commitment depends upon the student's level of interest and your ability to respond to requests from your assigned student. Fellow members are preferred for selection.

• Time commitment: Variable; see above
• Number of new volunteers: Unlimited
• Questions? E-mail the staff
• Deadline to volunteer: None
• Click here to volunteer for CPA Connection now.

Writing Articles | Top

Articles for VSCPA Publications

Receiving important and timely news about hot issues in the CPA profession is a hallmark of VSCPA membership. The VSCPA produces Disclosures bimonthly magazine, Footnote and eDisclosures monthly e-newsletters and various other publications and maintains professional content on the VSCPA website at www.vscpa.com. The VSCPA encourages members to submit articles to our publications on topics that would provide value to your peers. All articles are subject to editorial review.

• Time commitment: Variable; see above
• Number of new volunteers: Unlimited
• Questions? E-mail the staff 
• Deadline to volunteer: None
• Click here to volunteer to write an article now.

Young Professionals | Top