Ohio Dominican University Accounting students and faculty offer free income tax preparation services to qualified individuals through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

VITA offers free tax help to people with low-to-moderate income (generally $51,000 and below). Through this program, ODU Accounting students offer assistance with special credits, including earned income tax credit, child tax credit and credit for the elderly.

Since first offering the VITA program in 2007, ODU faculty and students have helped prepare 2,336 tax returns. 

In spring 2015, ODU students and faculty prepared 203 state and federal income tax returns, and processed $113,088 in refunds. The service also saved clients an estimated $50,000 in tax preparation fees.

The Internal Revenue Service certifies as tax preparers participating Accounting students, usually juniors and seniors. Under the supervision of faculty members who are certified public accountants, students prepare federal, state, local school and city income tax returns. In addition to free tax return preparation assistance, the program offers free electronic filing (e-filing).

For additional information on the VITA program, contact:

• Jack Edwards at (614) 251-4261 or edwardsj1@ohiodominican.edu
• Dawn Hill, assistant professor of Accounting, at (614) 251-4382 or hilld6@ohiodominican.edu

Future Accounting Professionals
ODU Accounting students can participate in Future Accounting Professionals (FAP), an on-campus student organization. FAP typically hosts four events every year such as resume writing seminars, panel discussions with alumni and meet-the-profession events to introduce students to professional organizations. 

Delta Mu Delta
Qualified students have the opportunity to participate in Delta Mu Delta (DMD) Honor Society. DMD provides international academic recognition for undergraduate and graduate business students who excel in their academic studies. 

Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
ODU’s Accounting program has an Educational Partnership with the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). ACFE provides Ohio Dominican with educational material for Fraud and Forensic Accounting Courses, and students receive discounted student memberships and discounts to take the CFE exam. 

Ohio Dominican University's business programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs (ACBSP). The Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs is the leading specialized accreditation association for business education supporting, celebrating and rewarding teaching excellence. Visit acbsp.org.