The community accounting clinic is a pilot project set up by the Dunedin City Council and the University of Otago school of business, offering basic accountancy training for smaller not-for-profit organisations and clubs.
The idea of accounting support for those organisations was initially raised with the council, which took on a masters student to do some research, and last year, added $10,000 to its budget to set up the clinic.
Council community adviser Paul Coffey said the clinic, which runs on Monday evenings at Community House in Moray Pl, had been held on three occasions, and would be formally opened at the end of the month.
It was organised by the Dunedin Council of Social Services, with third- and fourth-year accounting students, mentored by accountants, providing guidance on practices such as bookkeeping and setting up financial systems.
"We've got 21 students who are just amazing," he said.
There were four accountants, but he hoped that number would double. The clinic took six groups a night.
The pilot would run for the academic year, then be reviewed. "We hope to continue it on."
