looking for voluntary work.

MOHMEDSALIM PATEL

i have passed my all AAT exam and payroll up to level 3. After long wait and everything could i have done; had done but not successful in finding a Job in accounts environment to qualify MAAT.

I am placing a request for voluntary work here. If anyone within northwest can accommodate a one trainee, I would like to work for free and can travel up to 20 miles.



Please feel free to make any kind of remark.



Ta.

anniem

It might be an idea to pop your nearest town into your profile, so people can see where you live.

MOHMEDSALIM PATEL

Thanks very much.

Thank you very much for your kind response. As request made by Anniem I would like to let everyone know that I live in Blackburn, Lancashire and prepare to travel up to 20 Miles.

If anyone can please feel free to ask.


Thank once again

BCASL

You could try the Charity Commission website, where you will be able to produce a list of small charities, who you could contact to offer your support. Some of the smaller charities, such as playgroups would certainly be grateful for some free support.
Good luck

aatcoach

Charity bookkeeping (part 1)

From my experience I find that this is a growing area that is sometimes untapped by a lot of students. Although charity bookkeeping requires some additional skills, their are opportunities for you to volunteer and get some training which may in the long run lead to paid employment.

I will now share some information which you may find useful.

What qualities do you need to be a Charity Bookkeeper?
Personally, I feel that you have to be someone who is sympathetic to the particular area that your particular group works, and have an understanding of the aims and objectives of the group. . You have to be able to explain Accounting information in a simplistic but informative way to your clients. You also have to go an extra mile – for example, some client’s, I will attend some meetings without charging extra!
Do you need to specialise in a particular group?
There are various types of Charities, and you may want to consider being a Specialist Bookkeeper in that area. For example one of the Accountant’s I did some work for specialised in Housing Associations, a friend of mine specialises in Bookkeeping for Community centers

What skills does a charity bookkeeper need?
Some background Knowledge you may require depending on the group you are working with:

1. an understanding of how charities/community groups are set up and governed.
2. Understanding of Fund Accounting
3. Understanding of the Charities Accounting – SORP and SOFA
4. Understanding of the different ways groups generate income e.g. Funding, Service Level Agreements, Contracts, Donations, trading etc
5. Gift Aid
6. Charities VAT and Taxation
7. Useful to know Excel, Sage, Quick Books, MYOB, TAS, Sun Accounts (these are the ones most of the groups I have come across use)
8. Understanding of full cost recovery of costs and cost allocations/apportionment
9. Understanding the difference between independent examination and audit

Training
There are quite a few specialist training and work experience that you can get in the charity sector. My advice is to also try and get to be a volunteer bookkeeper or treasurer for a charity as this will help to build up your skill and you can then use the experience to get some work in the sector. There are opportunities available you just have to look for them.

aatcoach

Tasks of a charity bookkeeper/accountamt

Some of the tasks you may have to do:
The tasks you may have to do vary from group to group; what I have tried to do is to just give you an idea of some of the tasks, it is advisable that you speak to the client’s first to assess their needs, and then come up with a plan to do the work.


Budgets
• Prepare budgets for multiple projects over 3 year period or more
• Help with financial information for Grant applications

Basic bookkeeping: (cash based charities)
• Writing up a cash received book (Income book)
• Writing up expenditure book
• Writing up and balance petty cash on the impress system
• Preparing receipts and payment – cash based
• Preparing accruals accounts – Income and expenditure account

Other bookkeeping tasks
• Maintain Sales Ledge – Raise invoices/credit notes
o Record payments received from customers
o Credit Control
• Maintain Purchase Ledger – Record Invoices/Credit notes
• Pay Supplier Invoices
• Deal with supplier disputes
• Maintain fixed asset register
• Maintain Membership records
• Keeping track of grants and donations

Management Accounts
• Prepare a report of Actual Income and expenditure against Budget
• Prepare variance report, Prepare Cash flow forecasts
• Prepare financial reports for funders, and management committee members

End of year
• Preparing year end accounts according to (SORP) statement of recommended practice and (SOFA)statement of financial activities
• Liaising with auditors
• Working with treasurer in preparing annual returns and report
• Reclaim tax from HMRC for Gift Aid
• Sending Accounts to Charities Commission, Companies house etc

Other tasks
• Attend Period meetings held by the group
• Assist with applying for Grants etc
• Payroll

aatcoach

Training in Charity Bookkeeping

Training
There are quite a few specialist training and work experience that you can get in the charity sector. My advice is to also try and get to be a volunteer bookkeeper or treasurer for a charity as this will help to build up your skill and you can then use the experience to get some work in the sector. There are opportunities available you just have to look for them.


A very good website link ishttp://www.cash-online.org.uk/docs/1197054705CASHbook.pdf
This has a book called money matters and it deals with all aspects of charity bookkeeping/accounts. It's quite a large document but it’s worth downloading. It has some excellent examples as well.

Links to get into charity accounting
Their are projects called Community Accountancy Projects and their services exist all over the UK to help voluntary and community organisations to manage their finances. Check this site for your local group and make contact about volunteer work, training and advice.
http://www.communityaccounting.org/?q=revised_map_of_cas_locations