Hunslet-based West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service (WYCAS) has launched a project matching volunteers from the finance sector to local charities.
Whilst an important part of the work of WYCAS is about producing high quality annual accounts, the charity offers other services, resources and training to the third sector too – many of which are free of charge. There is now a new project .
The Abacus scheme, which has been running since July 2024, matches and supports finance focused individuals with West Yorkshire charities. Introductory training is provided to placements, and when a charity match is found, WYCAS set up and attend the first 3-way meeting,
The placements can ask WYCAS for support and advice throughout their 4 month tenure, when they offer up to 5 hours per week of their time. After 4 months the placement is eligible to receive a reference from WYCAS.
Claire Welling, the project lead says:
“Abacus is perfect for meeting the needs of both the placements (who are often accountancy students) and the small charities, who can struggle with capacity to focus on the bookkeeping and financial management. It is a win-win when the match works well, serving to embed a culture of volunteering as well as lighten the load for community groups.”
Involve Leeds, also based in Hunslet, is one of the charities who have benefited from the scheme. When they joined the scheme the charity said:
“Our only worker would like support around invoicing those who rent space and working with QuickBooks receipts as these jobs often get relegated to the bottom of the to-do list. Financial filing would also help – in fact any jobs relating to finances would be welcome.”
The charity already had a relationship with WYCAS, their accountants and independent examiners, so hosting a placement from a trusted source was not daunting. The scheme has been fantastic in breaking down barriers for the placement (who is studying accountancy AAT level 4) and allowing her to experience the reality of building and maintaining a complete and robust financial system.
“As well as the recording work, our placement has been asking questions about the process, causing us to review and improve our systems. The supported placement has just concluded, but we are extending the volunteer arrangement in the short term, as there are still benefits for both parties.”
The scheme continues to evolve, as it becomes clear that every charity’s needs are different;
- some just require a spreadsheet recording system setting up properly for them,
- some welcome the regular additional help with recording, to free up time for permanent staff
- others have shown an interest in less regular support as there are not a significant volume of transactions
There will undoubtedly be other needs too — and the Abacus project is designed to flex and adapt accordingly.
The scheme has matched seven placements to date and has four more on the verge of being matched.
Another placement, Safina shared:
“I applied for the Abacus project as I was seeking a way to embed the learning from my AAT studies. The initial training allowed me to understand the context of charity reporting and also gain a basic understanding of two of the recording systems used.
“My placement means that I am working closely with a charity and using their system to keep up-to-date and relieve the pressure on the front-line staff. I am learning with every volunteering session and look forward to developing this for the duration of my placement.”
Claire Whiteley the Project Manager from Involve would recommend the Abacus project and the support provided by WYCAS to any charity saying:
“Having the placement has helped me and Involve, not just in terms of getting a systemic approach to the finances but having someone to talk to about the financial systems. My volunteer has been inspirational – asking questions (to encourage me to think about process), developing a longer term approach which helps me and the organisation, bringing her skills to Involve. This has improved my confidence (as small organisations we often do a bit of everything and can feel overwhelmed), my knowledge and has had a real impact on Involve.
“The other aspect of the project was a chance to reflect – by being asked questions about the charity and the finances you learn and develop. By having another pair of hands you have practical support, which gives you time, often our biggest concern. Thank you to my volunteer and to WYCAS for helping us develop.”
If you know a charity or community group who would be interested in the Abacus project or in guidance on their financial management, please contact WYCAS, by email info@wycas.org.uk or call 0113 270 6291.
WYCAS is a charity which aims to improve financial management in the third sector. They are based in Hunslet, Leeds and have been serving the third sector since 1999.
This post is based on a press release issued by WYCAS
Photo: Abacus volunteers with Claire Welling (right)
While you’re here, can we ask a favour?
South Leeds Life is published by a not-for-profit social enterprise. We keep our costs as low as possible but we’ve been hit by increases in the print costs for our monthly newspaper which have doubled in the last two years.
Could you help support local community news by making a one off donation, or even better taking out a supporters subscription?
Donate here, or sign up for a subscription at bit.ly/SLLsubscribe
