Clearinghouse For Volunteer Accounting Services
Answers to frequently asked questions about CVAS and our services are given below. If you have additional questions, then please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time.
- General FAQs
- Nonprofit FAQs
- Volunteer FAQs
General FAQs
- What is CVAS?
- Who runs CVAS?
- How is CVAS funded?
- Is my donation to CVAS tax deductible?
- Is my credit card donation processed by CVAS in a secure manner?
- How does CVAS protect my privacy?
What is CVAS?Clearinghouse for Volunteer Accounting Services (“CVAS”) is an organization that matches accountants with community organizations. Volunteers share their skills with nonprofit organizations through four programs: Technical Assistance Program, Reduced Fee Audit Program, Board Member Placement Program and Technical Question and Answer Program.
Who runs CVAS?Click here to meet the people behind the scenes at CVAS.
How is CVAS funded?CVAS is funded through a combination of California Board of Accountancy grants and philanthropic gifts.
Is my donation to CVAS tax deductible?Yes, within limitations imposed by Federal and State income tax rules and regulations. Donations made to CVAS, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, are tax deductible. When you make a donation to CVAS print and save, with your income tax records, the confirmation email you receive from CVAS. If you have an income tax question regarding the deduction of the donation on your personal income tax returns, please consult a tax professional.
Is my credit card donation processed by CVAS in a secure manner?CVAS uses industry-leading Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology to keep your personal information as secure as possible. CVAS helps to protect your information by providing a secure and safe environment for credit card donations.
How does CVAS protect my privacy?CVAS understands that you may be concerned about privacy issues that surround the use of the Internet. CVAS believes that you should have control over who receives your personal information, whether it concerns where you live, what your interests are, or how you choose to conduct transactions. CVAS does not use the personal information that you provide, except to complete the transaction. CVAS will never sell, trade or rent your personal information to other individuals, organizations or companies. Also, if you you are making a donation to CVAS, you have the option to do that anonymously. Click here to read more about privacy.
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Nonprofit FAQs
- What is CVAS?
- What services does CVAS offer?
- What services are NOT provided by CVAS?
- How much does the CVAS service cost?
- What is the length of the volunteer’s commitment?
- How does volunteer matching work?
- What are the eligibility criteria for CVAS services?
- How long does the matching process take?
- Is my organization guaranteed that a volunteer will be found?
- How can my organization locate a reduced fee auditor?
- What if my organization has an accounting or tax question?
- How do I register my nonprofit and list our volunteer opportunities?
- What is an Employer Identification Number (EIN)?
- What if our organization is not connected to the Internet?
- How do I add new opportunities or change information on my organization?
- I forgot my username and password, how can I retrieve it?
- How do I change the contact information for a new volunteer coordinator?
- May I have more than one administrator for my account?
- What if we require an orientation before a volunteer begins our volunteer opportunity?
- How can I set up a link from my Web site to my opportunities on CVAS?
- Can you provide a link to my Web site?
- What if my organization does not fit into the categories listed?
- Why haven’t I received any volunteer sign ups lately?
What is CVAS?
Clearinghouse for Volunteer Accounting Services (“CVAS”) is an organization that matches accountants with community organizations. Volunteers share their skills with nonprofit organizations through four programs: Technical Assistance Program, Reduced Fee Audit Program, Board Member Placement Program and Technical Question and Answer Program.
What services does CVAS offer?
* Installation, evaluation and revision of accounting systems
* Tax filing and reporting
* Financial reports and statements
* Budgets/cash flow projections
* Internal control systems
* Financial management consultation
* Training of staff to operate accounting systems
* Board member placement
* Referral for reduced fee audit services
* Technical question and answer service
What services are NOT provided by CVAS?
* Pro bono audits, reviews, or compilations
* Pro bono services to individuals
How much does the CVAS service cost?
The CVAS service is FREE to volunteers and organizations.
What is the length of the volunteer’s commitment?
Services are not provided on an on-going basis; however, the length of service will be determined by mutual agreement between the volunteer and the organization. Organizations are encouraged to retain an accounting firm or individual to provide long term services.
How does volunteer matching work?
Charitable organizations register with CVAS, and enter their volunteer needs into the CVAS opportunity database. Interested individuals (1) search the CVAS opportunity database for volunteer opportunities by organization name, city, zip code, services requested and/or date, (2) find an opportunity that fits their interests and schedule, and (3) express their interest and availability via email to the charitable organization that posted the opportunity. The charitable organization by contacting the individual directly to provide further details about the volunteer opportunity.
What are the eligibility criteria for CVAS services?
* Must be a nonprofit organization serving the public
* Must have applied for or been granted a 501(c)(3) exemption
* Must have an annual budget of $500,000 or less
* Must not be able to afford to pay for professional accounting services
* No financial ceiling for Reduced Fee Audit Program, Board Member Placement Program, and Technical Question and Answer Service Program
How long does the matching process take?
There is no definitive answer to this question. The speed of the process depends upon the following factors:
1. Timeliness in submitting Technical Assistance Request Form
2. Nature of services requested by nonprofit organization
3. Availability of volunteers within the geographical area
Is my organization guaranteed that a volunteer will be found?
NO. A “best efforts” attempt will be made to identify a volunteer, but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to find a volunteer.
How can my organization locate a reduced fee auditor?
Some CVAS volunteers are willing to perform a certified audit for a reduced fee, but both the fee and the agreement to perform the audit are strictly at the discretion of the volunteer. CVAS makes no guarantee that a volunteer will be found to perform a reduced fee audit. CVAS will attempt to refer the organization to a certified public accountant that is willing to perform such an audit.
What if my organization has an accounting or tax question?
Sometimes organizations have a bookkeeper or volunteer accountant who has an accounting or tax question. If this is the case, you can click on Technical Q&A, type your question and submit. CVAS staff will route the question to an appropriate volunteer, who will contact you via email or telephone.
How do I register my nonprofit and list our volunteer opportunities?
To register your organization, simply click on Post Opportunity. Enter information about yourself as the administrator. Then enter your organization’s contact information, nonprofit EIN (employer identification number), mission statement, a description of the organization’s services, and a link to your Web site. Then add your volunteer opportunities! If you encounter difficulties with the sign up process, please email [email protected] and include your name and the name of your organization.
What is an Employer Identification Number (EIN)?
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a nine-digit number assigned to you by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that CVAS uses to verify your organization’s tax-exempt status. This number can be found on any forms that your organization files with the IRS.
What if our organization is not connected to the Internet?
In order to register on CVAS, you must have a valid email address. If you do not have an Internet connection at work we suggest that you register either from your home, library, university or at an Internet Cafe. You may also use a personal email address.
How do I add new opportunities or change information on my organization?
To update your account information, simply go to Post Opportunity (update) and enter your username and password. From the user menu, you will be able to edit personal info, edit organization info, and add, edit, or delete your volunteer opportunities. You can also access your tracking report, which will help you manage the recruitment of volunteers.
I forgot my username and password, how can I retrieve it?
If you forgot your username and password, you can go to Post Opportunity (password request) and type in your administrator’s email address. The username and password will be emailed to that address.
How do I change the contact information for a new volunteer coordinator?
If you have a new person in charge of volunteer recruitment, you will need to change your organization’s administrator information. To do this, simply go to Post Opportunity (update) and enter your username and password (which you can retrieve from your old volunteer coordinator). Fill out the form with updated information on the new volunteer coordinator, including the new email address, and click on Save Record. If you do not have your account’s username and password, please contact us by phone at (805) 495-6755.
May I have more than one administrator for my account?
You may have multiple administrators for one organization. This allows different individuals from the same organization the ability to update their organization information and add their own volunteer opportunities. To add another administrator to your account, please email [email protected]. Please include the following information about the new administrator in your email: full name, organization name, phone number, zip code, email address, preferred username and preferred password (at least 4 characters each).
What if we require an orientation before a volunteer begins our volunteer opportunity?
If you require an orientation for all potential volunteers, we recommend that you write this in the description of your volunteer opportunity. Explain that potential volunteers must meet your pre-requisite requirements before they can begin volunteering.
How can I set up a link from my Web site to my opportunities on CVAS?
A variety of links can be found at Link To Us. Simply copy the html provided to create a CVAS link on your Web site. In particular, you may be interested in the link that allows your Web site’s visitors to directly link to your opportunities listed on CVAS.
Can you provide a link to my Web site?
When you register your organization’s information you will be asked for your home page URL. Simply provide your web address here and you will create a link to your Web site from your listing in our directory section.
What if my organization does not fit into the categories listed?
The categories listed on CVAS are intended to be broad to describe many different organizations. We encourage you to select the categories that best represent your organization. Please note that you can select more than one category for your organization.
Why haven’t I received any volunteer sign ups lately?
There are many possible explanations, but the most common is that your opportunities may have expired. In other words, the end date that you specified for your opportunity has passed. To extend the end date of your opportunities, simply go to Post Opportunity and enter your username and password. From the user menu click on “Edit/Delete Existing Opportunities.” Then click on the specified opportunity, change the end date and click on “Save Record.”
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Volunteer FAQs
- What is CVAS?
- What services does CVAS offer?
- What services are NOT provided by CVAS?
- How much does the CVAS service cost?
- What is the length of the volunteer’s commitment?
- How does volunteer matching work?
- How do I sign up to volunteer?
- How do I find a volunteer opportunity?
- Can I search for a specific organization’s volunteer opportunities?
- What is a virtual volunteer opportunity and how do I find one?
- What if the organization I want to help does not contact me?
- What if the organization I am looking for is not registered on CVAS?
- Can anyone post a volunteer opportunity?
- How can I help spread the word about CVAS?
- Can the company I work for support CVAS?
What is CVAS?
Clearinghouse for Volunteer Accounting Services (“CVAS”) is an organization that matches accountants with community organizations. Volunteers share their skills with nonprofit organizations through four programs: Technical Assistance Program, Reduced Fee Audit Program, Board Member Placement Program and Technical Question and Answer Program.
What services does CVAS offer?
Installation, evaluation and revision of accounting systems
Tax filing and reporting
Financial reports and statements
Budgets/cash flow projections
Internal control systems
Financial management consultation
Training of staff to operate accounting systems
Board member placement
Referral for reduced fee audit services
Technical question and answer service
What services are NOT provided by CVAS?Pro bono audits, reviews, or compilations
Pro bono services to individuals
How much does the CVAS service cost?The CVAS service is FREE to volunteers and organizations.
What is the length of the volunteer’s commitment?Services are not provided on an on-going basis; however, the length of service will be determined by mutual agreement between the volunteer and the organization. Organizations are encouraged to retain an accounting firm or individual to provide long term services.
How does volunteer matching work?
Charitable organizations register with CVAS, and enter their volunteer needs into the CVAS opportunity database. Interested individuals (1) search the CVAS opportunity database for volunteer opportunities by organization name, city, zip code, services requested and/or date, (2) find an opportunity that fits their interests and schedule, and (3) express their interest and availability via email to the charitable organization that posted the opportunity. The charitable organization by contacting the individual directly to provide further details about the volunteer opportunity
How do I sign up to volunteer?Simply click on Volunteer Openings, then choose Post Volunteer. Complete the contact information, and submit. You will have the opportunity to limit your volunteer criteria to organization name, city, zip code, services requested and/or date, or to specify an organization found through a search of the CVAS database or otherwise.
How do I find a volunteer opportunity?To find volunteer opportunities, click on Find Opportunity and search by organization name, city, zip code, or services requested. After you find an opportunity, go to Post Volunteer, complete the contact information, and specify the name of the organization you would like to help.
Can I search for a specific organization’s volunteer opportunities?If you want to connect with a specific organization, click on Find Opportunity and search by organization name. If you find the organization you are looking for, click on it, and you will be connected to its volunteer opportunities.
What is a virtual volunteer opportunity and how do I find one?Virtual volunteer opportunities are opportunities that can be done from “virtually” anywhere using a computer and Internet connection. If you want to find a virtual volunteer opportunity, click on Find Opportunity and search by the category Virtual Opportunity. If you find an opportunity that interests you, click on it, and you will be connected to the organization that needs your help.
What if the organization I want to help does not contact me?If an organization has not gotten in touch with you after you have expressed interest in one of their opportunities, we suggest that you try contacting them by phone. You can retrieve the organization’s phone number by going back to the volunteer opportunity on our site and clicking on the organization’s name. This will bring you to a screen with the organization’s contact information.
If you are still unable to reach them, please email us at [email protected] and include your name, the name of the organization, the name of the opportunity and how long it has been since you signed up. We will contact the organization on your behalf and try to help you connect with it.
What if the organization I am looking for is not registered on CVAS?If you of know of any organizations not registered on the CVAS Web site, tell them about the CVAS services and encourage them to use CVAS! If you would like any CVAS fliers to distribute to local nonprofits and their members, please email us at [email protected].
Can anyone post a volunteer opportunity?CVAS welcomes all tax-exempt organizations including civic, social, educational, governmental, religious and political organizations. All of the information on on the CVAS Web site comes directly from the participating tax-exempt organizations. Each organization maintains their own account, which they can use to post information about their organization, mission and volunteer opportunities.
How can I help spread the word about CVAS?Please email us at [email protected] to volunteer your time to spread the word about CVAS. Let us help your local community!
Can the company I work for support CVAS?Your company can provide CVAS with financial support, encourage its employees to volunteer at the CVAS Web site and/or devote time to the goals and objectives of CVAS. Perhaps a company employee or officer would like to serve on the CVAS Board of Directors or the CVAS Advisory Board.
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