I know of a potential member who is highly qualified in the field of Accounting and is decently interested in joining, but was wondering what she'd actually be doing in a Finance Officer role.
From what I've heard from people at Wing, they'd be interested in having her help out at that level, but beyond the prestige of saying you're at the Wing level, I'm not all that familiar with what duties or tasks she'd be doing. In speaking to her about this, I find myself not having much information to explain- of course, there is the CAPP for Finance Officers, but I've heard there have been substantial changes made to how things are actually done.
Her background includes:
Bachelor's Degree - Accounting
Master's (MAcc) Degree - Accounting (with a concentration in Forensic Accounting)
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
Currently a Doctoral student (PhD in Accounting), teaching undergrad classes, doing research, etc.
With that sort of background, what could/would she potentially do in CAP? I'm not so sure being a unit Finance Officer would give her all that much to do and she'd soon be bored. Any thoughts?
For the most part its just managing a checkbook - she might be involved in some of the strategic planning, but its not normally
a big deal. the WBP has removed a lot of the headaches from CAP finances.
I would not suggest she start as wing FM - I have seen a lot of members walk in doing that to be cycled out in 6 months.
From an accounting perspective its very straightforward, the frustration comes in regarding the people involved - chasing a signature or
receipt for 6 months, arguing about reimbursements, etc.
I would suggest she join to do anything BUT finance until she understands how CAP works, and then not consider moving out of the unit until she has a least a silver bar.
^I agree with Eclipse. I would get her involved in other aspects of CAP before giving her the check book. If a squadron finance officer does nothing else but finance, it will get kind of dull in a short time. At wing level, it becomes an unpaid job.
Quote from: FW on May 13, 2010, 08:29:32 PM
^I agree with Eclipse. I would get her involved in other aspects of CAP before giving her the check book. If a squadron finance officer does nothing else but finance, it will get kind of dull in a short time. At wing level, it becomes an unpaid job.
For the life of me I can't figure out why someone who does accounting/accounting analysis all day long would want to come to a CAP meeting and do it all night long. >:D I know myself being an Analyst/Management Accountant in my day job I don't have that as a volunteer interest. 8)
RM
I spoke with her a bit about helping with the Cadet Program and that seems like an additional possible interest- not to mention that it may prove useful to have another female SM available to help with events, etc.
As for why someone would want to do the same thing they do all day at work- some feel like because they have a somewhat unique skill that they can use this as their niche and thus find their place in the organization and help out in an field that perhaps not everyone can do. Example being why lawyers become legal officers, doctors or nurses as medical/nurse officers, airline pilots as CAP pilots, ministers (etc) as Chaplains, and the list goes on. For many, its about finding your niche of matching your unique skills with an opportunity to apply your training/experience for the benefit of the organization. I'm sure it doesn't hurt as fluff to your professional Resume/CV, either.
Nothing she will be doing at the squadron level will even come close to tasking the abilities of a real accountant. It will be the easiest "accounting" work she is ever likely to do so I would focus on what other things she is interested in doing.
Quote from: Eclipse on May 13, 2010, 07:30:09 PM
From an accounting perspective its very straightforward, the frustration comes in regarding the people involved - chasing a signature or receipt for 6 months, arguing about reimbursements, etc.
Putting a new person into that position is just cruel. Let her have some fun in the organization before she had to become the bad guy and listen to all the BS stories about how the check was sent, left in the airplane, left at the office, etc....
some possibilities:
1. appoint as squadron finance officer. while there is little to do in that position since wing banker came along, it will qualify for immediate appointment to rank of captain, then major in a year
2. wing level - rather than being FM, someone with those qualifications should do a good job of serving on the finance committee and performing the wing quarterly internal financial review.
3. also wing level - consider the IG track, particularly performing SUIs.