Meet the Clearinghouse for Volunteer Accounting Services

From January to mid-April, CPAs are the most popular folks in town. But with Clearinghouse for Volunteer Accounting Services (CVAS), CPAs are popular every day of the year.

That's because CVAS is dedicated to matching volunteer accountants with nonprofit organizations (NPOs) in need of professional accounting assistance. Located near Los Angeles, CVAS served the State of California exclusively until mid-2001, when the decision was made to offer CVAS services across the country. With the development of CVAS' on-line database (www.cvas-usa.org) NPOs and potential volunteers can register their needs or services, and can contact one another via e-mail 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. CVAS staff monitors the activity, and presents new opportunities for service to registered volunteers as they become available.

Volunteers share their skills with nonprofit organizations through four CVAS programs:

• Technical Assistance Program
• Reduced Fee Audit Program
• Board Member Placement Program
• Technical Question and Answer Program

"Matches" are made based upon geographical location, services offered/requested, and any preferences stated by the volunteer. Volunteers may accept as many opportunities for service as their schedule permits, and are free to reject any opportunity that does not interest them. Oftentimes, multiple volunteers may serve the same NPO, one performing a reduced fee audit, while another fills a Board Member position.

Many volunteers enjoy participating in the Technical Q & A Program, where an organization may have questions regarding the completion of forms or tax requirements, and the volunteer can provide assistance via e-mail, fax or phone, without having to actually visit the client.

CVAS was launched in the early 1980s in Southern California, when a group of CPAs decided it was time to give something back to their communities. In part, CVAS' core value states, "By taking a leadership role in the community, accountants can serve as the catalyst for shaping a more sound economic and charitable system in society." Searching for a fulfilling and creative way to assist, they hit upon the idea of providing pro bono accounting services to small nonprofit organizations that were already addressing a variety of needs in their individual communities. By assisting existing and start-up nonprofit organizations, the CPAs filled a unique niche, one that had not been addressed on an exclusive basis before.

Funding for CVAS has been provided by the State of California, as its budget permits. Through it's web site, CVAS also has the ability to accept tax-deductible donations. As its programs grow and serve more states, CVAS would like to receive additional support through individual state CPA societies or boards of accountancy. To volunteer your services or make an on-line donation, please visit the CVAS Web site: www.cvas-usa.org.