My experience of the Community Accounting programme: From Classroom to Community

By Erroll Gibson (Student volunteer)

While studying for a Bachelor of Accountancy at Massey University in Auckland, I had the opportunity to volunteer with ANCAD’s Community Accounting programme. I was interested in the programme because it offered the chance to gain practical accounting experience while contributing meaningfully to the community.

My father was a volunteer firefighter for almost fifty years, so from an early age I learned the impact that can be made from giving back to the local community.

Some community organisations face financial challenges or uncertainty, and the programme provides a space where they can receive guidance and support in understanding their financial situation. Being part of that process was both a valuable learning experience and a reminder of the real-world impact that accounting skills can have.

Through the Community Accounting programme, I worked with clients from a variety of backgrounds, each with their own financial questions and circumstances. Often, the most important part of the process was listening carefully to understand their situation and then helping them organise their financial information in a clear and practical way.

For many clients, accounting terminology and systems can feel confusing and sometimes overwhelming, so one of the key skills I developed was learning how to communicate accounting concepts in a way that was simple and approachable. This experience helped me realise that accounting is not just about numbers and technical knowledge, but also about supporting people and organisations to make informed decisions about their finances.

Volunteering in the programme also helped me build confidence in working with real financial information and interacting with clients in a professional setting. While studying accounting provides a strong technical foundation, working directly with community members added an important practical dimension to my learning. It allowed me to apply the knowledge I was developing in my degree while also gaining insight into the kinds of financial challenges organisations face in everyday life.

Another aspect I appreciated was the collaborative nature of the programme. Working as a team with other students and a Chartered Accountant mentor created a supportive learning environment where we could discuss different situations and learn from each other’s perspectives. This strengthened my technical understanding but also reinforced the importance of teamwork and communication in professional practice.

Looking back, my experience with the Community Accounting programme played an important role in preparing me for my career in accounting. The programme helped me develop confidence, communication, and leadership skills, as well as an appreciation for the broader social value of financial knowledge. Since completing my degree, I have started my career as an Assistant Auditor at Audit New Zealand, where I continue to build on many of the skills I developed through volunteering. My experience reminded me that accounting is ultimately about helping organisations understand financial information and make good decisions.

I am grateful for the opportunity the ANCAD Community Accounting programme provided me with in developing skills to support the community both in a practical and meaningful way. Thank you, Eva, the Chartered Accountant mentors, and the ANCAD team.