Give Back to Grow Forward: Board Service 101

One of the biggest career accelerators for CPAs may be beyond the office. Serving in a volunteer position on a board, whether for a local nonprofit, professional group or other organization, can help you expand your leadership skills, make connections and serve the greater good.

“Service is powerful,” VSCPA COO Maureen Dingus, CAE, believes. “But only when you do it for the right reasons and with the right expectations.”

The power of service

Ask anyone who has served on a board, and you’ll hear a common theme: you get more than you give. Andrew Martin, CPA, managing partner at Corbin & Company in Chesapeake and VSCPA chair-elect, says board service helped him shift his perspective beyond himself.

“It’s focused on others more so than yourself,” Martin said. “It provides accountability for a community of which you will become a valuable member and helps give a broader perspective. It also builds skills that are important in all parts of your life.”

That broader view — combined with hands-on leadership experience — is what makes board service especially valuable early and mid-career.

Longtime VSCPA volunteer Barclay Bradshaw, CPA, echoes that sentiment. He encourages professionals to be intentional about where they serve.

“Join an organization for which you will be proud to be associated,” Bradshaw said. “Do some research. See who is currently on the board. Pay it forward. The skills learned through volunteering will help in your career now and in the future — group dynamics, Robert’s Rules of Order, crisis management, compromise and public speaking.”

Understand your responsibilities

Before saying yes to a board seat, you must understand the legal and fiduciary responsibilities that come with it. Board members are expected to uphold three core duties:

• Duty of care: Act in good faith and make informed, prudent decisions.
• Duty of loyalty: Put the organization’s interests first and disclose conflicts of interest.
• Duty of obedience: Ensure the organization follows its mission, governing documents, and the law.

If these three tenets sound familiar, it’s because they come naturally to CPAs, who commit to ethical practices and following the law. In practice, boards provide strategic direction, ensure legal and financial compliance, oversee leadership, support fundraising efforts, and help secure resources needed to advance the organization’s mission.

So what should you actually do when you’re at the table?

“Make sure it is something that you feel passionate about and that you have the capacity to be involved,” said 2025–2026 VSCPA Chair Krystal McCants, CPA, a partner at YHB in Fairfax, Va. “You have to be prepared to be available, present and involved.”

Find the right fit

Not every board opportunity is worth saying yes to — and that’s OK. There’s an easy way to start. Ask yourself a simple but important question: What would be worth taking time away from your work, friends or family?

Before committing, ask thoughtful questions about expectations, time commitment and structure. That includes understanding financial oversight, insurance coverage, onboarding processes and whether there’s a personal donation expectation.

Fit matters just as much as function. Ask about the organization’s mission, vision and priorities for the next two to three years. Learn whether the board is strategic, fundraising-focused or operational — and how long the commitment lasts.

For CPAs, there’s also the reality of being the “financial expert” in the room.

“Likely, you’ll be asked to serve as treasurer,” says Bo Garner, CPA, a partner at PBMares in Suffolk and VSCPA Board member. “Make sure proper policies and insurance are in place, ensure there’s onboarding and evaluation and, most importantly, set boundaries.”

And if the opportunity isn’t the right fit or the timing just doesn’t work?One of the most valuable skills in board service is knowing when to decline. A thoughtful “not right now” can preserve relationships and leave the door open for future opportunities.

Beyond traditional board service

Board service doesn’t have to follow a single path. Advocacy, event planning, governance committees, fundraising and program involvement all offer meaningful ways to contribute — often without the full responsibility of a board seat.

Henry Davis III, CPA, executive director of finance and budget in Development & Alumni Relations at Virginia Commonwealth University (and a past VSCPA chair), highlights the unique impact of serving the CPA profession.

“You help guide and shape the profession,” Davis says. “You gain in-depth knowledge of trends and issues, translate your experience to other types of service and give back to the profession that’s given so much to you.”

Amplify your experience

Board service shouldn’t live in a vacuum. Talk about what you’re learning. Share how it benefits your firm. Promote the organization and its mission through conversations and social media.

Lisa Germano, CPA, president of Actuarial Benefits and Design in Midlothian and also a past VSCPA chair, emphasizes the importance of intentional relationship-building.

“Push yourself to learn the skills to network,” Germano says. “Write notes. Follow up. Stay connected. It’s work — but with technology, you can automate parts of the process and make it manageable.”

Final takeaways

The best board experiences start with passion, commitment and clarity. Make sure you believe in the mission. Be honest about your time. Understand the expectations — and don’t underestimate the personal and professional growth that comes with service.

Along the way, you may gain lifelong friends, expand your leadership skills, and make a lasting impact on your community.

This article was adapted from the November 2025 virtual VSCPA session “Board Service 101: Elevate Your Career & Impact.”

Ready to dive in? Start with us!

The VSCPA has a variety of volunteer opportunities. The volunteer application period opens each fall. Learn more about our councils and committees and join the volunteer pool!