A CPA in public practice uses their professional skills to help solve clients’ problems on daily basis. It is the most fulfilling aspect of my career and one of the main reasons I have chosen to remain in public practice. It is for the same reason that a couple of years ago I decided to use my professional experience to volunteer on the board of a charitable organization. This organization is a theatre that produces Canadian plays and I serve as treasurer and member of the board of directors.

There are many benefits to volunteering on a board. Not only does it enable you to expand your professional skillset by applying aspects of finance and accounting you may not use in your day job, but it also improves your ability to communicate your expertise with non-accounting or finance professionals. It allows you to extend your network with and hear different points of view from professionals in other fields who have also chosen to serve on a board and bring their own skillset such as legal, education, human resources, public relations, marketing, and fundraising. Furthermore, there is the added benefit of helping management and other stakeholders meet their goals and ultimately achieve their vision.

So how do you get involved? You can start by thinking about your current interests, whether it be sports, the arts or your children’s education, and narrow down where you want to focus your efforts. Then, start talking to people or get online and research. There are websites such as CharityVillage that post volunteer positions. If you are a member of a professional organization, your professional institute’s website can also provide applicable resources. For CPAs, the CPA Ontario website posts volunteer positions as they become available. There is no shortage of volunteer positions available for CPAs and other professionals and the experience you gain will be invaluable in your personal and professional development.