Volunteering

Mentor the Treasurer – a new initiative giving CPAs the opportunity to be a volunteer mentor to a treasurer in a small not-for-profit organisation.

CPA Australia is partnering with Pro Bono Australia to make it easier for members to: 

• find roles and board positions that use your professional skills to best effect – many of these roles are specifically sourced for CPA Australia members
• access the latest volunteering news, opinions and articles 
• tap into stories about the volunteering experiences of other finance professionals (and we welcome yours)
• step through self-study activity examples when self-assessing your eligibility to claim continuing professional development (CPD) hours for providing pro bono services

As part of our partnership philosophy, CPA Australia reminds you that professional indemnity insurance for members performing voluntary or pro-bono accounting services in the community anywhere in the world is complimentary.

Note: Upon clicking on Pro Bono Australia, you will be asked for your CPA Australia member ID. This will take you to CPA Australia's page on the Pro Bono Australia website.

Making it count

Volunteering allows you to gain knowledge and skills and expand your professional network.

The things you have learned in one area can often be adapted to suit another. For example, budgeting skills are always useful and required by many volunteering organisations. If your company was involved in exporting, a volunteer organisation that operates in Australia and East Timor may benefit from your expertise.

Before choosing your volunteering activity, review the skills you have acquired, as well as:

• industries you have dealt with
• life experiences
• issues you are passionate about
• communities of which you have knowledge

Be clear about who you would be working with and how much time would be required for your services – are you willing to commit? Decide whether the organisation's mission and direction fit in with your plans.

The personal effectiveness and leadership areas of the Career Guidance System are a great starting place to assess your skills and find resources to support your skill development. 

CPD and volunteering

CPA Australia members may be eligible to claim CPD hours when volunteering or providing pro bono services.

Eligibility is based on a member demonstrating that the activities have broadened their professional knowledge and are relevant to the role they were undertaking or their current employment. The definition of relevance is broad and depends on a member’s individual circumstances and existing knowledge (PDF).

Legal considerations and insurance

The provision of professional advice attracts liabilities even when given on a pro bono basis. It is essential that you consider all legal obligations before taking on any position. The provision of professional advice attracts liabilities, even when given on a pro bono basis. Members performing pro bono or voluntary accounting services are eligible for complimentary professional indemnity insurance.

Accounting for International Development

Accounting for International Development (AfID) is a multi-award winning social enterprise based in the United Kingdom that offers experienced finance professionals the opportunity to use their skills to make a genuine difference as volunteers and to gain rewarding hands-on international development experience.

Individually tailored assignments, ranging from two weeks to 12 months, form part of an ongoing strategy to build the financial management capacity and long-term sustainability of charities and non-profit community organisations across the world.

CPA Australia is supporting visibility of AfID’s work and opportunities available to members. 

Volunteer with Australian Volunteers International

Australian Volunteers International (AVI) recruits, manages and supports over 500 skilled professionals on international assignments every year. Accountants and professionals in finance, governance and economics are among the people participating in our overseas projects and assignments. Their work has strengthened the operations of organisations across Asia, the Pacific, Africa and the Middle East that are reducing maternal and child mortality, delivering vital health and education services or providing communities with economic empowerment. It is also an experience that contributes to career and skills development, provides the opportunity to develop new lifelong friendships and gain a more global perspective. AVI delivers programs in partnership with AusAID, including Australian Volunteers for International Development. All participants receive airfares, living allowances, visas, insurances, in-country support and ongoing training.