Volunteer Accountants

Accountants provide a valuable service for thousands of companies and consumers everyday. They often work long, hard hours and play a crucial role in the success of a company. So what do they do in their spare time? Believe it or not, thousands of accountants choose to continue working. Many CPAs are offering their financial know-how at no cost to nonprofit organizations. Volunteer accounting is an important trend that is on the rise in popularity across the country, due in large part to help from volunteer accounting associations and a growing number of professionals who want to dedicate their time and expertise to help their communities.

Clearinghouse Volunteer Accounting Services (CVAS), a California-based organization, is one example of an organization that matches accountants with nonprofit associations in their community that need their help.

"CVAS builds communities by promoting the provision of positive assistance to a variety of nonprofits in the neighborhoods of California," says Paul Glass, President of CVAS. The group is especially proud of the wide variety of organizations they have helped. The list of organizations working with CVAS in recent years includes everything from community theaters to Boys & Girls clubs to medical and educational research foundations.

CVAS was created in 1983, and today has an impressive list of leaders in the accounting community on its Board of Directors. The board includes people such as Newton Becker, CPA, the President of Becker CPA Review, and Thomas W. Snow, CPA, a partner with KPMG Peat Marwick.

The mission of the organization-like other similar groups across the country-is to match practicing accountants with nonprofit groups who need financial consultation. All services provided by volunteers are free of charge to any 501(c)(3) organization whose annual administrative budget is less than $500,000. CVAS is supported by a variety of national and local certified public accounting firms, the California Society of CPAs, and other individuals and organizations throughout California. Their donors also include charitable foundations and client organizations.

CVAS is just one of a number of similar programs that exist throughout the United States. Community Accountants, based in Philadelphia, focuses on helping nonprofits become self-sufficient. Volunteers with the group spend time with organizations in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, teaching organization leaders how to develop smarter financial management strategies.

Accountants for the Public Interest is another group that arranges for CPAs to volunteer time with nonprofits. With thousands of members in state-based groups across the country, it is one of the largest organizations of its kind.

Carl Specht, the president of API's New Jersey branch, notes that the organization reaches out to the community in many ways. Their volunteers have prepared thousands of free tax returns for low-income individuals through the Tax Aid program as well as providing free instructional programs in Basic Adult Money Management, Housing Counseling, Family Daycare, Eldercare and many other issues.

"We have touched over 700 nonprofit organizations in recent years," says Specht. The organization has several hundred members that work with New Jersey-based organizations.

Glass estimates that CVAS has helped approximately 1,000 organizations since its creation, and they are constantly working to increase that number.

"We have envisioned more and more volunteer accountants sharing their skills on a pro bono basis with California's nonprofit organizations," adds Glass.

As API members look to the future, Specht says they would also like to expand to help even more low-income individuals and small non-profits. "In order to do this," Specht says, "we always welcome additional funding and volunteers."

Glass adds that many people do not know how to get involved in giving back to the community, and it is organizations such as CVAS and API that provide an avenue of involvement for accountants.

The volunteer accounting community is important because it is providing a service that would in many cases be out of reach for those that they are helping. By using their talents and specialized knowledge, thousands of accountants involved with groups like CVAS and API have been able to give the attention to the nonprofit community that no other type of professional could.

"Certified Public Accountants bring their unique perspectives and," says Glass, "a better understanding of the financial and business issues that impact the efforts of nonprofits." Volunteer accounting programs, adds Specht, are successful, "because of the strong commitment of its volunteers." He also notes, accounting volunteers truly care, and they "are dedicated to giving something back to the community."