For more information about the service, contact Margaret Dye at 276.964.7277.
Accounting students at Southwest Virginia Community College are once again providing a free tax service to the public. The service is geared to low income, elderly, and disabled individuals, but accounting students also complete tax returns for students, staff, and faculty. The class has been offering the service for several years.
The students in the class are also members of Phi Beta Lambda (PBL), a business fraternity, and count the service as a community service project.
As a part of the class, students are required to complete at least five tax returns to help them gain experience. Many of the students do more than the required five returns. “This experience reinforces everything they learn in class. The service also makes accounting students more marketable when seeking a job in accounting,” said Paris Lester, accounting professor and PBL advisor.
Phillip Imel, an SVCC accounting professor agrees, “It’s a great experience that helps prepare our students for the real working world.”
In addition to helping students gain experience, Dr. Barbara Fuller, dean of the business division says that it is also a valuable service provided to the community. “I am very proud that we can provide this service to the public. It provides practical experience for our second year accounting students and a professional and confidential tax service to the public.”
In addition to this service, accounting students are also required to complete a 75-hour internship in accounting.