'The VITA experience' yields tax return prep for accounting students
Cal State Long Beach business student Christopher Park and his team of volunteers offer local clients relief during what is arguably one of the most stressful times of the year: tax season.
“When we do the tax returns, and they’re given a larger refund amount, it shows on their faces,” he said.
Park, a fourth-year student concentrating on accounting, is The Beach’s site coordinator for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, or VITA. Several California State University campuses participate in VITA, an Internal Revenue Service program enabling student volunteers to practice tax prep skills while offering free help during the weeks leading up to April 15.
The Beach is among the CSU campuses that have created a special course for students, like Park, who want to join VITA’s work.
As site coordinator, Park is the latest in a series of student leaders who dedicate much of an academic year to ensuring VITA clients can rely on The Beach for accurate tax returns. Site coordinators like Park are responsible for recruiting VITA’s volunteers — and making sure they are certified — before the first client shows up for help.
Park is also the go-between with the IRS and community groups connecting the VITA team to clients. He is also in charge of keeping student volunteers motivated, organized and at the top of their accounting game.
Add all that up, and Park has a lot of responsibilities to make sure that VITA works out for clients like Raymond Bentley. Bentley, who lives in Long Beach, visited campus to obtain face-to-face help with his taxes. After meeting Park and other student volunteers, he confirmed he can expect a refund.
“I really recommend them,” Bentley said.
Busy season
VITA students cannot guarantee refunds, but nevertheless, their prowess in helping deserving clients get them is a point of pride. Sudha Krishnan, who chairs the Accountancy Department, said last year’s volunteers secured more than $1.2 million worth of tax refunds for nearly 1,600 clients, all while accumulating real-world experience.
“Let’s be honest, you can’t go to industry and learn there,” Krishnan said. “They expect you to know.”
Park and co-coordinators are using the knowledge they have accrued in classrooms and during previous VITA experiences to guide peers through what is shaping up to a busier-than-usual tax season. The end of the IRS’ online filing option means a heavy volume of clients have already shown up at The Beach since VITA services began on Jan. 26.
More experienced students take on quality control. Whether a client must pay or get a refund, getting everything correct without any need for do-overs is students’ top priority.
“We’re here to make sure everything is how it should be,” said Victor Garcia, a fourth-year business student looking forward to working for an audit firm.
VITA students’ accuracy is a big help for their clients.
“The program is well suited for our community and of great value to the students at the university,” said Jerry Green, a donor who has supported VITA’s work. “We all need to encourage and support this endeavor.”
Professional setting
Park is the latest in a succession of site coordinators, following Anne Guzman ‘25 and Marco Vasquez ‘24. Guzman and Vasquez are now professional tax accountants whose VITA experiences proved an informative preview for the annual hubbub of tax season.
“You know how to handle it when everything gets tight,” Guzman said. “It gets so hectic, and you have so many deadlines. The VITA experience helps you manage that.”
She and Vasquez met leadership challenges now facing Park, who credited Guzman with helping him communicate more effectively with peers and clients. Site coordinators need knowledge and confidence to decide how to solve tricky problems, but they don’t have to go it alone. Being able to ask for help and cultivating camaraderie are also essential leadership skills to develop.
“That helps in the professional setting because teamwork is something you see every day,” Vasquez said.
