Adding Up Impact: Accounting Students' Guide to Volunteering
Studying accounting in Australia provides a solid foundation for future career success. Beyond the classroom, students can gain practical experience and make meaningful contributions to their community through volunteering. Volunteering can also help students enhance their resumes and expand their professional networks. Here are some opportunities and avenues for accounting students to volunteer.
Local Community Organisations:
Community organisations, such as charities and non-profits, often need assistance with accounting and bookkeeping tasks. Accounting students can volunteer to help these groups with tasks like budgeting, financial statements, and audits. This experience offers students a chance to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios and gain insight into how accounting functions in different settings.
University Volunteer Programs:
Many Australian universities have partnerships with local community organisations or offer programs that connect students with volunteer opportunities. For instance, students can join initiatives where they provide free financial advice or assistance to local groups or individuals. Contact your university's career center or student services to learn more about available programs.
Professional Associations:
Professional associations such as CPA Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) often offer volunteering opportunities for accounting students. These organisations may have connections with non-profits and other groups needing accounting support. Participating in these activities can also help students build relationships with professionals in the industry.
Tax Clinics:
Some universsities provide free tax clinics to individuals who need help preparing their tax returns. Volunteering at these clinics can give accounting students hands-on experience in tax preparation while benefiting the community. It can also provide exposure to a variety of tax situations and challenges, further enhancing students' understanding of the field.
Non-Profit Organisations:
Non-profits often need assistance with managing their finances, including bookkeeping, budgeting, and financial planning. Volunteering with non-profits allows accounting students to apply their skills in a meaningful way and contribute to organisations working on important social causes.
Remote Volunteering:
With the rise of digital communication, remote volunteering opportunities have become more accessible. Accounting students can offer their skills to organisations across Australia or even internationally without leaving their homes. Websites such as GoVolunteer and VolunteerMatch can connect students with organisations in need of remote accounting support.
Finding Opportunities
To find volunteer opportunities, accounting students can:
Search Online: Use search engines to look for local non-profits and community organisations that might need accounting assistance.
Network: Ask professors, peers, or mentors if they know of any opportunities or organisations seeking accounting help.
Check Professional Organisations: Reach out to professional bodies like CPA Australia or CA ANZ for volunteering opportunities.
Volunteering provides accounting students with valuable experience and the opportunity to give back to their community. By taking advantage of the variety of options available, students can develop their skills, expand their professional network, and gain insights that can help them in their future careers. Whether it's working with a local charity or participating in a tax clinic, there are many ways for accounting students in Australia to volunteer and make a positive impact.