You can leverage your personal expertise to shape tax policy and influence the future of the profession as a volunteer with the AICPA Tax Division.
Regardless of your professional expertise and personal interests, you can find a place for yourself among the working groups, committees, task forces, technical resource panels and other volunteers who are working on a variety of tax-centered initiatives and projects.
“I feel like I gained a lot serving as a volunteer,” said Irene Estrada, J.D., managing director – Personal Financial Services at PwC. “I've met a lot of talented people and learned a lot and, of course, increased my technical skills in this area.”
Here are the top four benefits of becoming a volunteer with the AICPA Tax Division:
1. Shape tax policy
Tax policy and regulations are inherently complex, but after navigating them throughout your career, you know what does — and doesn’t — make effective tax policy.
As a volunteer, you can monitor and review emerging legislation and regulatory and administrative developments — and develop positions accordingly that champion for solid tax policies and effective administration.
Additionally, you can lead conversations with government representatives and update them on the ongoing issues that affect the profession.
“I actually had a chance to testify in front of the IRS with respect to the proposed regulations for the business interest expense limitation,” said Joseramon Carrasco, CPA, managing director – Washington National Tax Office, Grant Thornton. “It was really cool to see how our process with comment letters to the IRS then transpire over to be able to directly speak to the IRS and also be able to answer any questions that they may have.”
2. Influence the future
The tax landscape is continually evolving — changes in technical legislative issues, practice management and procedural tax areas are interconnected with the future of the tax profession. Your background and experience will enable you to take a holistic approach to volunteering and see how the future of the profession is unfolding.
With this knowledge, you can assist with the development of new and updated guidance, tools, communications and additional resources that are invaluable tools for tax professionals.
3. Enhance personal professional development
Volunteering encompasses more than merely giving back — it’s also about personal and professional growth. You can dive deep into technical topics, monitor developing legislation and apply your analytical skills in new contexts to enhance your professional development.
“I chose to join a technical resource panel … because I saw there were opportunities for me to work with people from other firms and the advocacy team with AICPA,” said Carrasco.
4. Grow your professional network
Volunteering has a unique ability to bring passionate people together for a common cause, and the AICPA Tax Division is much the same. You’ll work alongside colleagues from across the country who each bring their own distinctive skill sets, ideas and lived experiences to apply to various committees and working groups.
Fostering new professional relationships will not only strengthen advocacy efforts and group cohesion but also deepen your connections with the professional tax community.
“During my time as a volunteer, I really gained the ability to understand other people’s views,” said Carrasco. “It helps us to be able to figure out how to address certain issues as part of our advocacy efforts.”
Dynamic volunteer opportunities
Whether you enjoy reading case law, speaking publicly, creating documents that influence policy, or auditing existing materials to create new ones, there’s a role for you within our dynamic volunteer opportunities.
The application window for next year is currently open and volunteer appointments will start in May 2025. Submit your volunteer application by Oct. 1, 2024.
More professional development opportunities and resources exist within the AICPA Tax Section. As a member, you’ll get access to invaluable references, guides, toolkits and more to strengthen your tax acumen.