CPA Ontario
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Volunteer Opportunities

We offer members meaningful volunteer opportunities to help guide and advance the profession within CPA Ontario. Match your interests and skill sets at every stage of your CPA journey by supporting our work through boards, committees, student development and other initiatives.

Volunteering is a chance to do valuable work, give back to your communities and to create a strong CPA network.

Volunteer with us

Join one of CPA Ontario’s programs or committees.

Unless applicants indicate otherwise, resumes will be kept on file for two years. For committee applicants, only those short-listed for will be contacted.
Tax Preparation Assistance Program
Capstone 1 Volunteers
Public Accounting Licensing Board
Practice Inspection Committee
Professional Conduct Committee
Small and Medium Practices Advisory Committee
Adjudicative Tribunals Committees
Mentoring
Inspire a Future CPA

Tax Preparation Assistance Program

Tax Preparation Assistance Program volunteers prepare tax returns for thousands of eligible individuals and families free of charge. Pay forward your expertise and help those in need to obtain valuable tax refunds and credits.

Registration: Fall

Eligibility:

  • must be a member in good standing
  • experience filing tax returns is an asset

Give back

Capstone 1 Volunteers

Help students work towards their designation by volunteering as a panel member for the final assessment of the CPA Professional Education Program Capstone 1 Oral Board Report — and earn verifiable CPD hours doing it. Volunteers will be required to assess presentations, conduct Q&A sessions, complete evaluation forms and provide feedback to students. Volunteers will be asked to commit for at least one full day.

Eligibility:

  • must be a member in good standing
  • must not currently be a Capstone 1 facilitator


E-mail to apply

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. This responsibility includes, but is not limited to, overseeing CPA Ontario’s licensing standards, responsibilities, functions and processes. Board members are appointed for an initial term of one year and are eligible for reappointment for a maximum of three additional three-year terms.

Registration: Ongoing

Eligibility:

  • member in good standing
  • must hold a valid Public Accounting Licence or have held one within the past five years

Public representative positions are also available. To find out more, please contact the Registrar’s Office.

 

Submit application

Practice Inspection Committee

The Practice Inspection Committee assesses compliance with professional standards of all practising offices and takes appropriate follow-up or remedial action when necessary. Members are appointed annually for an initial term of one year and are eligible for reappointment up to a total of six years.

Registration: Ongoing

Eligibility:

  • must be a member in good standing, in a public accounting practice that includes audit, review and compilation engagements
  • member must hold a Public Account Licence

 

More information

Professional Conduct Committee

The Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) reviews and investigates possible violations of the CPA Code of Professional Conduct, the regulations and the By-law. Find out more about the complaints process and the role of the PCC here.

Eligibility:

  • member in good standing
  • no prior disciplinary history
  • ten or more years of post-qualification experience
  • 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

 

Submit application

Small and Medium Practices Advisory Committee

The Small and Medium Practices Advisory Committee is comprised of volunteer practitioners. The Committee identifies and addresses the common needs of members in small and medium practices and promotes their interests. The committee will include up to 15 representatives from small and medium practices across Ontario, and include both members with and without a public accounting licence. Each committee year runs from September to August. A representative may not serve on the Committee for more than two consecutive three-year terms.

Eligibility:

  • member in good standing
  • must not sit on any other standing or advisory committee of CPA Ontario simultaneously
  • must be with a practising office that is registered and in good standing with CPA Ontario.
  • the criteria for classification as a small and medium practice include:
    • practice structures ranging from sole practitioners to larger, multi-partner, non-national firms (members from national firms do not qualify)
    • practices that provide public accounting services and/or accounting services to the public as defined by CPA Ontario’s By-law


Submit application

Adjudicative Tribunals Committees

There are volunteer positions within four committees which comprise the CPA Ontario’s Adjudicative Tribunals:

  • Administration and Registration Committee
  • Discipline Committee
  • Appeal Committee
  • Capacity Committee

Committee members will be appointed for a one-year term and will be eligible for reappointment for a maximum of three additional three-year terms. CPA Ontario Council may extend the maximum term of a Committee member in extraordinary circumstances. Click here for more information on the different committees.

Registration: Ongoing

Eligibility:

  • must be a member in good standing with no outstanding discipline actions against them
  • relevant adjudicative experience is an asset

Committee members shall generally be representative of CPA Ontario’s membership by occupation and geographic location and shall include public accounting licensees.

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

 

Submit application

Mentoring

As a CPA Ontario member, you can provide guidance to CPA students as they complete their practical experience. Mentors help students develop essential communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills and set a standard for teamwork, leadership and ethical behaviour. This sharing of knowledge and experience helps the new generation of accounting professionals develop the skills they need to succeed.

Recruitment: Ongoing

Eligibility:

 

Mentor

Inspire a future CPA

Are you a proud CPA interested in volunteering to inspire and influence the next generation of CPAs? There are many opportunities available working with our Student Recruitment Team. Opportunities include keynote speaking, panel discussions, networking events and competition judging.

Recruitment: Ongoing

Eligibility:

CPAs interested in volunteering can be added to our volunteer database by completing the survey below. Our CPA Ontario Student Recruitment Team will reach out when relevant volunteer opportunities become available.  

 

Volunteer