FAQs

Community Accountants volunteers are active and retired accountants and Certified Public Accountants (CPA's) from industry, public accounting, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies.

Volunteers teach the very basics of accounting, such as bookkeeping, payroll, and reporting requirements. Volunteers may also present workshops on financial issues for clients or for other volunteers. Volunteers interested in using their professional background on a nonprofit board may volunteer for Community Accountants for Board Placement. CA’s Board Placement volunteers can serve on the board of any nonprofit organization. These organizations realize the value of having a professional with accounting knowledge and expertise as a resource for their board. Volunteers do not perform, compilations, reviews, and audits or prepare payroll tax returns.

Direct Service Volunteers work one-on-one with a nonprofit client to teach the client the accounting tasks needed for the organization to achieve financial self-sufficiency. This allows the organizations to be more effective by eliminating financial management crises, reducing the time and resources needed to produce effective financial reports and statements. This in turn gives the nonprofit the time and the ability to pursue their mission.

Community Accountants' Direct Service clients are small grassroots nonprofit organizations that can not afford accounting services. Many have little or no bookkeeping experience. Direct Service is available to nonprofit organizations with annual budgets less than $250,000. Clients are located throughout the Delaware Valley. Community Accountants for Board Placement clients can be of any size.

CA volunteers work with clients can last up to six months in length, but may last much less than that time commitment, depending on the tasks that need to be achieved.

Work is done at a time and place convenient for both the volunteer and the client.

Nonprofit organizations can call CA's offices or email an “Ask an Accountant” form if they need an accountant for quick answers to one or two questions. Staff screens calls to CA office, and appropriate CA volunteers are put in phone contact with the nonprofit.

Yes, Community Accountants for Board Placement is a board referral program, you may apply online or call CA's offices for an application form. Nonprofit boards apply to CA for financial management professionals who will join their board and or finance committee to provide oversight. Professionals are recruited and referred; CA staff follows up until placement is complete. All nonprofits are welcome to apply for CA’s Board Placement service, there is no budget limitation.

Yes, workshops are provided upon request of a nonprofit co-sponsor for a fee of $50 per presentation hour. The requesting nonprofit notifies the workshop participants and arranges for the workshop space. Almost any financial management subject can be addressed. Workshops are open to all nonprofit organizations.

Yes, referrals are given to clients looking for qualified financial technical services for their nonprofit organizations.