VSCPA Community Service Programs

Financial Fitness

The VSCPA launched a new financial literacy initiative in 2004 to improve the financial health of Virginians. Called Financial Fitness, this campaign reaches out to the community and educates the public on topics related to money management and fiscal responsibility. Financial Fitness Day is held annually during Financial Literacy Month (the month of April) at sites statewide. Volunteer CPAs man informational booths to offer free financial advice, resources and materials to local communities. More information on the Financial Fitness initiative is available at FinancialFitness.org.

Tax Season Public Service Events

The VSCPA organizes annual tax season public service events to give members an outlet for becoming involved in the community and to promote the image of the CPA profession. These events include:

• "Ask a CPA" Tax Help E-mail Program
  The FinancialFitness.org Web site houses a Tax Resource Center, developed as the premier source for tax and financial planning information. VSCPA member volunteers provided free tax advice during tax season to the public by answering e-mail questions about state and federal income taxes.
  
  
• NBC12 Tax Call-In Show
  One of the first on-air programs staffed exclusively by VSCPA members is the NBC12 Tax Call-In Show in Richmond. CPA volunteers answer phone calls from viewers and give free advice during the NBC12 evening news broadcast.
  
  
• WVTF News Radio Tax Call-In
  In February each year, a live tax interview is broadcast over the airwaves of the WVTF Public Radio Station in Roanoke. VSCPA members field calls from WVTF listeners and provide answers to the tax questions on the air.
  
  
• WBRA Tax Help
  The Tax Help event is an annual program that combines a tax call-in with a lively panel discussion. This event is held in February on Blue Ridge Public Television (WBRA) in Roanoke.

Virginia Military Tax Help

The VSCPA supports military personnel in combat zones by offering free financial and tax assistance to Virginia-based members of the U.S. armed forces. Through Virginia Military Tax Help, 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. This program will remain active as long as there are U.S. military serving in combat zones. More information about the program is available here.

Virginia Disaster Recovery Help

VSCPA members help businesses and individuals recover from the financial and tax consequences of natural disasters. Volunteers provide free financial and tax advice to businesses and individuals requesting assistance. More information about the program is available here.

Nonprofit Pro Bono Assistance

The VSCPA matches Virginia nonprofit organizations in need of financial assistance with members who want to get involved in their communities. VSCPA 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. More information is available here.

Find a CPA 

Through the CPA Referral Online program, the VSCPA matches individuals and businesses that need professional financial services with CPA firms in their geographic region. Located on the VSCPA Web site and FinancialFitness.org, the referral service allows the public to easily search for a CPA or firm for free by name, location, services offered, industries served and size of the firm.

Speakers Bureau

Looking for a dynamic speaker? Invite a CPA! As a public service to your company or organization, the VSCPA provides speakers on a wide range of business and financial topics at no cost! Some examples include: financial literacy topics (money management, saving for college, retirement planning, etc.); small business advice (start-up issues, strategic planning, etc.); nonprofit assistance (budgeting, tax planning, etc.); and CPA career information (how to become a CPA, accounting education, school presentations, etc.).

For more information about these programs, contact VSCPA Community Relations Coordinator Tracey Zink at (800) 733-8272.