[AJE]

I’m in public audit (just started) but eventually want to go into private in another ~2 years (exit as a Senior).

Specifically, I’d like to be involved with charter schools (I think) in the future. I’m concerned that when I make the jump from public to private I’ll have to take a somewhat lateral or lower position because I have zero experience with any software used in industry (e.g., QuickBooks), what people even do in their jobs, etc.

Has anyone done any volunteer work on the weekends to get themselves up to speed before leaving a public audit job (or what did you do)? Audit hasn’t been very tiring/overtly busy for me so I feel like this 1st year is a good time to learn stuff before I get swamped with work in my 2nd year.

FAR 91 - 04/16
BEC 87 - 05/15
REG 77 - 07/27
AUD 92 - 08/31

[marqzho]

you want to do volunteer work in bookkeeping ?

call me and I'll share half of my workload with you 🙂

REG 90
FAR 95
AUD 98
BEC 84

[ruggercpa2b]

I went from private to public to private to public. People do not put in that much time in public just to doubt themselves and make a lateral move. The reason you are in public is so when you make that move you get a decent raise.

Accounting software is going to be different from company to company. Once you get that job they will teach you how to use the software. You already know the basics doing financial auditing. I would not worry about volunteering. A lot of people leave audit to go into accounting roles all the time and I am pretty sure none of them spent time volunteering to learn accounting software.

You will be fine.

AUD - 73, 72 retake 7/2/2016
BEC - 8/20/2016
REG - TBD
FAR - TBD

I am so ready for this nightmare to be over. Been at this way too long.

[Missy]

Yes, I do bookkeeping for youth sports as a volunteer, girl scout troops and a small nonprofit that hires the disabled to make crafts out of recycled materials (very nice bags out of leftover sail canvas!)

I am not sure any of my experience would translate directly to a school environment but it is definitely a different dynamic than corporate with a lot more voices in decision making.

Time wise, I'd say each is less than 5 hours per month on average, obviously cheerleading has more financial activity in the fall during football season, and I don't do much for any of them over the summer.

Licensed Massachusetts Non Reporting CPA since 2012
Finance/Admin/HR Manager

[Anonymous]

I've been doing the books for a small charity for a few years. Many charities need help with accounting and would love someone to volunteer their services for that.

[se98]

I wouldn't lose sleep over not knowing Quickbooks. I had a whole 3 credit class on it at my 2 year school, 10 years ago, and I have never once worked for a company that used it. Two of my previous positions had industry specific software. If you have a basic understanding of computers, it won't matter how the software lays things out, you'll figure out how to post a JE or run a trial balance, etc in no time. Working in private for a large company now, most of my colleagues came from audit, and they all seem to be quite competent, so while you're there, pay attention and ask questions and you should be fine. Having myself never worked in audit, sometimes I wish I had. By working in private I become really good at the areas I've worked in (here's hoping I get all the CIP questions on FAR), but it's harder to have a good comprehension of new areas without a steep learning curve. In audit I feel I would have had more exposure to various aspects of a company's accounting that would be helpful to me now in being able to branch out and expand my role. If you still want to volunteer though, it certainly wouldn't be bad experience, and would look good on your resume. I've known people who did volunteer accounting work for their church or kid's sports teams. I've also found super part time work (<5 hrs/wk) doing bookkeeping on the weekends, sometimes working from home, through Craigslist before.

FAR 84
REG 7/2016
BEC 8/2016
AUD 10/2016

[Anonymous]

SE98, Im looking for work from home bookkeeping – any suggestions? I tried answering a craisglist ad for it but never heard back…

[Author]

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