It’s one thing to practice accounting in the classroom, but actually applying those skills in the community is something else entirely. 

This year, 22 Colorado State University students had the opportunity to do just that over the course of eight Saturdays from February to April as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.  

“It’s been so gratifying to give back to the community,” said Austin Henderson, a senior business student and one of the two student coordinators who help spearhead the program, which operates in the basement of Rockwell Hall. 

VITA is provided by Beta Alpha Psi students and community members who are IRS trained and certified volunteers. They provide free tax assistance to people with an annual income of $60,000 or less and clients older than 60, as well as qualifying CSU students and employees. 

Certified public accountant Mandy Sharpe, a tax and accounting instructor for the College of Business and the faculty adviser for VITA, said she’s been inspired by how the student volunteers have mentored and shown up for each other time and time again. 

“The type of growth mindset our students have demonstrated by volunteering and showing up for a service like this is a path which will help them progress, advance and create the ability to thrive in life,” she said. 

Community volunteer Mike Werner helped bring VITA to CSU and now serves as the site coordinator, a position where he’s had the opportunity to mentor students and help make sure people in need receive the largest tax refunds possible. 

“Not only are we providing a service to our community, but we’re also helping students learn the real-world interviewing and tax preparation skills that will help them excel in their careers,” Werner said. “It’s truly part of the ‘Business for a Better World’ mission.” 

Accounting master’s student IvyRose Barnish has volunteered for VITA for three years, and said helping taxpayers never gets old. This year, she was able to help a local mother in need receive a $8,000 tax refund on a $35,000 salary. 

“It helps bridge the gap in our community between accounting knowledge and non-accounting knowledge,” she said. 

Many of this year’s CSU VITA volunteers were participating for the first time, and Barnish and Werner said it’s been gratifying to mentor them over the course of the spring. 

“One thing I enjoy is when you see a student doing tax preparation and a light seems to go off in their eyes when they’ve learned a new concept,” Werner said. 

Senior accounting student Adam Hernandez is graduating in May and volunteered for VITA for the first time this year. He said the experience has made him stand out as he interviews with future employers. 

“Class and the actual experience have been very different, so being able to apply what I’ve learned in class has been incredibly valuable,” he said. “It’s great to do real-world applicable work and to know I’m making a difference for people who need it.”