AAA Spark Meeting of Regions

Virtual VITA—Preparing Students for the Virtual Tax World

• In Event: Effective Learning Strategies Poster Session A
  In Poster Session: Room 1

Abstract

Students are facing new virtual challenges when entering the job market. Previously, students at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN, have participated in the in-person VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program sponsored by the IRS. Accounting students and one faculty member have operated and staffed a VITA site on the campus serving the community members approximately 15-20 hours per week for the past three years. In the wake of COVID-19 this was no longer a feasible approach due to social distancing and safety measures. The Austin Peay VITA site was able to partner with the United Way’s Financial Independence Center in the greater Nashville area to take the APSU VITA site virtual for the 2021 filing season. While there were many challenges in getting started the benefits have far outweighed those challenges. Not only are students continuing their education through practical application of concepts they have learned in prior courses, they are also developing the communication soft skills often the current generation of graduates may be lacking. In addition, the modality and format the students are working in more closely resembles how an entry level staff member in tax may work. It is highly unlikely when starting at the staff level the graduate would sit down face-to-face with a client. Yet, it is likely that the new staff level employee will use document management systems to access information and track work as it moves through the process. It is also likely that much of their communication will happen either through written format via email or on web conferencing platforms. In the case of virtual VITA, all the students training, and work are being done with these modalities. By the end of the tax season and participation in virtual VITA the students will have become adept at several skills including technical tax knowledge, remote working, time management, document management systems, tax programs, client communication, and communication with a supervisor. These students will be more confident and prepared to enter the tax accounting market.

Author

• Jennifer D Thayer, Austin Peay State University