Tax Preparation Assistance Program

Tax Preparation Assistance Program: Pay forward your expertise. Help thousands in need. Our Tax Preparation Assistance (TPA) Program is returning for another year — and we need your help.

For over 50 years, the TPA Program has brought together CPAs from across the province to prepare tax returns for eligible individuals with modest incomes, free of charge. Thanks to volunteers like you, every year thousands of individuals and families in need have been able to access the invaluable tax refunds and credits that are only available by filing an income tax return. In 2018 alone, volunteer CPAs filed over 25,000 returns — nearly 10 per cent of the total eFile returns filed in Ontario.

As our flagship volunteer initiative, the TPA Program provides you and your fellow CPAs with the platform to serve your community. And, most importantly, it gives you the opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of others.

Volunteer registration is now closed. Registration will open for the next tax season in the fall of 2019. Learn more about the TPA program here.

Log in to CPA Ontario Talent to find postings from charitable or not-for-profit organizations and agencies seeking CPA Ontario volunteers for tax help, leadership roles and more.

Volunteer Board Positions Available with CPA Ontario Associations

Many of our local Associations are looking for volunteer members to assist with a variety of positions. Send us an email if you are interested.

CPA Ontario also has a number of volunteer opportunities for experienced members to serve on its committees.

Practice Inspection Committee

The Practice Inspection Committee assesses compliance with professional standards of all full- and part-time practising offices, and takes appropriate follow-up or remedial action in instances of non-compliance.

The committee’s volunteer membership comprises 15 to 20 council-appointed CPAs, including a Chair, who are in public practice, many of whom are at the partner level (or equivalent), have been CPAs in good standing for greater than 10 years and who need a Public Accounting Licence. Membership aims to be representative of the membership geographically and by size of practice (i.e., including local, regional and national firms).

Members are appointed annually for an initial term of one year and are eligible for reappointment for an additional three-year term and, thereafter, on an annual basis, with the total appointment not to exceed six years. The Committee meets four times per year.

All full and part-time practices are inspected at least once every three years.

Learn more about Practice Inspection.

How to Apply

If you are presently a member in good standing of CPA Ontario in a public accounting practice that includes audit, review and compilation engagements and hold a Public Accounting Licence, please log in, complete and submit this application form for consideration for the year commencing in September 2018.

Unless applicants indicate otherwise, applications will be kept on file for two years. Only those short-listed for possible committee membership will be contacted.

Professional Conduct Committee

The Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) reviews and investigates complaints that indicate a possible violation of the CPA Code of Professional Conduct, the regulations or the By-law.

PCC members are appointed for an initial term of one year and are eligible to be reappointed for a maximum of three additional three-year terms. The Committee is comprised of council-appointed volunteers that are representative of the membership occupationally and geographically, and between three to five public representatives, and shall include Public Accounting Licensees.

For more information about the complaints process and the role of the Professional Conduct Committee, click here.

How to Apply

Applicants for the PCC must be a member in good standing of CPA Ontario, with no prior disciplinary history, with 10 or more years of post-qualification experience and be one of the following:

• a partner in a CPA firm or a sole practitioner whose clientele includes a variety of assurance and/or tax engagements
• a senior financial officer and/or executive with 10 or more years of experience

If you meet these criteria, please log in and fill out this application form.

If you are a member of the public who wishes to volunteer, please fill out the Public Representative Volunteer Application.

Unless applicants indicate otherwise, resumes will be kept on file for two years. Only those short-listed for committee membership will be contacted.

Deadline to submit applications for consideration for each committee year is May 13. Any applications received after this date will be considered for the following committee year.

For more information, please contact Standards Enforcement.

Public Accounting Licensing Board

The Public Accounting Licensing Board is responsible for matters relating to public accounting licences, certificates of authorization and the practice of public accounting, including but not limited to, overseeing CPA Ontario’s licensing standards, responsibilities, functions and processes. The Board’s volunteer membership, composed of between five and twelve members including no less than two public representatives, are appointed for an initial term of one year, and are eligible for reappointment for a maximum of three additional three-year terms. Contact the Registrar’s Office for more information.

Small and Medium Practices Advisory Committee

The Small and Medium Practices Advisory Committee is a committee comprising volunteer practitioners who work with CPA Ontario to develop practical resources to assist small and medium practices to communicate their values and specific expertise. The committee will include up to 15 representatives from small and medium practices across Ontario, and members with and without a public accounting licence. For more information visit Small Practices Advisory Committee.