Nyasha Davis, president of Cal State Fullerton’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, jumped at the opportunity to gain hands-on tax preparation experience, passing the requirements to become an IRS-certified preparer.
VITA is a volunteer-based initiative supported by the IRS in the College of Business and Economics. The program provides free tax preparation assistance to individuals and families with $65,000 or less in income, individuals with disabilities, elderly taxpayers, limited English-speaking taxpayers, and international students.
Davis first learned about the VITA program through the CSUF chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, an international honor society for accounting, finance and information systems.
“Whether it’s helping a client maximize their refund or providing reassurance that their taxes were filed correctly, I take pride in knowing that my efforts make a tangible difference in our clients’ lives,” said Davis, a junior majoring in business administration with a concentration in accounting and business analytics.
The VITA program boosted her confidence to pursue a career in public accounting where she can continue to help individuals and businesses navigate financial challenges.
This summer, Davis will join Big Four accounting firm KPMG as an Embark Scholar intern, where she will train in the firm’s audit, tax and advisory practices to improve her professional skills and industry expertise.
She also serves as the events committee chair for the CSUF Accounting Society, which provides students with networking opportunities to help them connect with professionals at accounting firms.
“I was initially unaware of CSUF’s extensive career resources available for accounting students seeking recruitment opportunities,” said Davis. “After spending my first year at the university, I learned about the various business programs and organizations, which excited me about the prospects ahead.”
Unlocking Career Potential Through Tax Preparation
The VITA program is operated by IRS-certified student volunteers who undergo extensive training to ensure they can provide accurate and reliable tax service for their clients.
Students from any major can sign up and participate in free trainings that cover basic, advanced and foreign certification during the fall semester, with recruitment ending in November. Student volunteers work closely with clients, which improves their interpersonal skills while fostering a sense of social responsibility.
”VITA is a great service to the community, and a great learning opportunity for accounting majors considering careers in taxation,” said John Durrant, assistant professor of accounting and adviser of the VITA program.
The annual VITA program runs the first week of February through the Saturday preceding April 15, offering services to the public on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in preparation for the tax filing deadline.