As a sole practitioner without much day-to-day interaction, I found what I was missing by joining the Taxation Practice and Procedures Committee—guidance, networking, and friendships.

By Brian Daly, CPA

Although it’s been 11 years, I remember my introduction into the Illinois CPA Society’s (ICPAS’) volunteer committees like it was yesterday. It all started with an ICPAS Chapter event at Hackney’s in Lake Zurich, Ill. (which is now long gone) where I met longtime ICPAS member Larry J. Wolfe, CPA, who invited me to be a guest at an upcoming Taxation Practice & Procedures Committee meeting.

At that point, I was working as a sole practitioner for eight years after previously working at a small firm for seven years. While I had the base foundation to manage my own practice, I missed discussing issues and ideas with other colleagues like I once did. Luckily, attending the committee meeting would soon change all of that.

Admittedly, when I showed up to the committee meeting, I felt a bit intimidated. What could I offer to the group or to ICPAS when I didn’t have much experience in this area? However, what I found were people who wanted to transfer this know-how—and transfer they did. I would soon learn more about things I lacked information on. For example, before I was invited, I’d heard of the “Internal Revenue Manual,” but really didn’t know much about it or how to access and read it. I’d heard of transcripts, but really had no idea what those codes meant on the left side or how to analyze one. I’d heard of protest letters on CP2000s, but really didn’t know how to write one. I knew about the appeals process, but not well enough to know the difference between an informal and formal appeal request. Of course, these are just a few examples of the knowledge I’ve picked up during my time with them—there’s just too much to list.

I’ve also been very fortunate to learn valuable information from guest speakers who’ve attended our meetings, including representatives from the IRS, Illinois Department of Revenue, and Illinois Department of Employment Security.

In a short period, I felt like part of the group. Two years after joining the committee, I was elected chair. Then, I met chairs from other ICPAS committees, further expanding my network. At any time, I can reach out to my fellow committee members with a question on a particular issue for guidance—the networking opportunities and friendships I’ve gained have been invaluable.

Joining various volunteer groups has been crucial to my professional growth, and my practice would likely not be where it is today without it. It’s also allowed me to give back to the profession that’s provided me with so much—instead of me absorbing knowledge from others, I’m now able to share it.

Wherever you practice, whether downstate or out of state, you can take part. Speaking from experience, joining an ICPAS committee will help you develop new skills and give you the confidence to better serve your clients. You owe it to yourself to be the best professional that you can be—and I promise you won’t regret it.

Brian Daly, CPA, is the owner of Bottom Line Solutions and a former chair of ICPAS’ Taxation Practice & Procedures Committee.