Years ago, I contributed countless hours of accounting services to a number of charities and one politician. (For the latter, I was campaign Treasurer for 5–½ years.) I had valuable skills to donate, and I wanted to give back to my community. Here’s what I learned:
1) People have an odd psychology – they truly believe that they “get what they pay for.” Thus, if I were contributing my higher education, extensive experience, and hard work for $0, my services must be worthless. Why bother appreciating what I’d done or even thank me?
2) Because I’m so clearly worthless, given that I’m working for free, there’s no need respect my advice or believe any of the information I provide.
Now, I volunteer in ways that have nothing to do with my CPA abilities. For example, I might ladle cups of fruit punch at a charity’s fundraiser or bring some pastries, but that’s it.
It isn’t “just me.” One of my nearest-and-dearest CPA friends repeatedly warned me not to donate accounting work, because I’d regret having done so. Another friend, a CPA with as much experience as I have, worked tirelessly to help a new charity; eventually the group told her that her services wouldn’t be needed anymore, because it was time to hire a “real” accountant.