Lise Marie Bruun, an experienced accountant and auditor, has found a deeply fulfilling purpose in volunteering, transforming her skills into meaningful contributions for small NGOs. Her story highlights the profound impact that skilled volunteers can make, particularly in international settings where their contributions are not only valued but vital. Lise’s journey is a powerful reminder of the rewards that come from stepping beyond the confines of day-to-day work, using one’s expertise to drive positive change in communities around the world.

How and why did you get involved with skills-based volunteering?

I have always had an interest in volunteering and while studying, I was a scout leader for many years. A colleague told me about the opportunity to volunteer with Accounting for International Development (AfID) and I thought it was an amazing opportunity to put my accounting and finance skills into real use and do something worthwhile and meaningful.

How have your finance skills specifically made a positive impact in your volunteering?

With skills and experience in auditing, financial management and accounting, there is so much you can help small NGOs with. For example, I drafted financial manuals, assisted with annual budgeting, and provided templates for cash book and bank reconciliations. My knowledge of laws and regulations also helped ensure that the NGOs comply with national regulations regarding financial reporting, taxation, and social security schemes. Also, simply being able to share and explain how and why small organisations should have good internal controls in place, for example around cash management, equip the staff to better manage their organisation and ensure accountability towards their donors. You bring your skills to the benefit of others and help them on their journey.

What do you most enjoy about volunteering?

The best part of volunteering is to meet so many dedicated and passionate people in NGOs. It makes you feel humble to meet so dedicated people who all work to make a difference. Also, you get a feeling of positivity from being able to make a meaningful difference for the NGO. You realise that what is simple for you, for example Excel skills, brings a lot of value to others and that your skills are so useful and valued by others. The recognition and appreciation you receive is very rewarding. Being provided with a ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ from the NGO I worked with was one of the most touching moments for me.

What has been your toughest time as a volunteer? 

I cannot really think about any tough times as such. It can be challenging to communicate and explain clearly financial and accounting topics to a non-financial audience, but it is a valuable skill to develop. For example, to provide training in internal controls to an audience who does not understand well English is a challenge but a great success when you realise, they understood it and they themselves start providing you with examples of potential improvements in their internal control system.

What have you learnt from your time volunteering?

Volunteering takes you out of your day-to-day work and helps you put things in perspective. You develop yourself as a person but also your professional skills. You learn that your skills are more transferable and useful than you may have imagined. It has also opened a new world for me, increasing my knowledge of the NGO and development sector and the challenges small organisations face. Finally, I have met so many amazing people who are passionate and dedicated and not afraid of expressing their gratitude towards you for your help. We can all learn a lot from this as we tend to forget that ‘thank you’ is a small word but it means so much.

What would be your one piece of advice for a finance professional looking to volunteer?

Volunteer! It is so rewarding to be able to help others. There are so many NGO’s and other small organisations out there who need expertise in finance and accounting but typically do not have the resources and funds to employ these skills. 

How do you think we can get more finance professionals volunteering their skills?

Spread the message about the need for accounting skills and the possibility for volunteering.