Business administration student Devin Gruenthal has been building his accounting portfolio since his second year of college, when he joined Cal State Fullerton’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program and became an IRS-certified volunteer.
VITA is a volunteer-based initiative in the College of Business and Economics supported by the IRS. The program provides free tax preparation to individuals and families with $65,000 or less in income, individuals with disabilities, older adults, taxpayers with limited English-language skills, and international students.
Gruenthal credits VITA for providing him with hands-on experience in tax and customer services. These skills helped him land his first professional role as a tax administrative intern with the investment company, Empirical Wealth Management.
“I believe the reason I got the internship was in large part due to my role in VITA. It’s become a valuable resume experience for me and other students,” said Gruenthal, who is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a joint emphasis in accounting and information systems.
As president of VITA, he is responsible for managing on-campus appointments during tax season and reviewing completed returns before submitting them to the IRS. He shared that this role has enhanced his skills in leadership, effective communication, relationship-building with volunteers and clients, and applying tax knowledge.
In addition to gaining experience, Gruenthal said he feels most accomplished when he contributes to the program’s impact on the local community, helping clients navigate financial questions and coaching student volunteers.
“My favorite part is being able to see the difference the volunteers and I are making in the Orange County community. I’m in the position to uplift a lot of people, and that makes everything worth it,” said Gruenthal.
Gruenthal was initially drawn to Cal State Fullerton when he visited the Arboretum and Botanical Garden during a middle school field trip. The vibrant campus environment combined with its top-ranked business school made the university his No. 1 choice: “I knew I had to come back.”
After earning his degree, Gruenthal plans to pursue his CPA license and establish a career in taxation. He said he’s looking forward to joining the College of Business and Economics alumni network, which is 80,000 Titans strong.
“At Cal State Fullerton, I’ve had great opportunities to network with a lot of people who have big career goals like me, and it’s nice to have those connections for the future,” he said.
Launching Careers in Taxation
The VITA program is led by IRS-certified student volunteers who are professionally trained to deliver accurate and reliable tax preparation services.
Jon Durrant, associate professor of accounting and adviser of the VITA program, encourages students to get involved whether or not their career goal is tax preparation. In the program, students have access to professional development opportunities to better their communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, explained Durrant.
“Students are introduced to operational systems in a client-facing environment, including understanding and planning around workflows, which will help lead them in any career they pursue,” said Durrant.