Navigating the Crossroads: Should I Continue My Part-Time Nonprofit Bookkeeping Role?

As professionals, we often find ourselves balancing multiple commitments, each demanding our time and energy. Today, I’m seeking insight into a dilemma that has me reflecting on my current responsibilities: should I let go of my part-time Bookkeeping role with a nonprofit organization? Here’s my story.

I began my journey into Bookkeeping years ago, helping manage the finances of my family’s small business. As my interest grew, I pursued formal training, earning my QuickBooks Online (QBO) certification and completing a professional bookkeeping course. This opened up new opportunities, including a bookkeeping position with a landscape business that has recently increased its demands on my time.

Shortly thereafter, I accepted a role as an Accounts Receivable Specialist at a reputable independent school. This position, which requires 32 hours a week in an in-person capacity, has proven to be invaluable for my professional growth. Working under a seasoned CFO and Controller, I’m receiving structured guidance and support that foster my development.

Contrastingly, my nonprofit bookkeeping role—initially appealing and suitable—has transformed into a source of frustration. Here are some challenges I am currently facing:

• Increased Complexity in Accounts Payable: I handle about a dozen invoices weekly, but we’ve recently implemented Concur for invoice approval, which is fraught with technical issues. The absence of internal IT support means I often encounter delays and accessibility problems.

• Remote Work Challenges: Although working remotely offers flexibility, it complicates prompt resolutions to urgent issues and hinders timely feedback from my team.

• Unexpected QuickBooks Challenges: The nonprofit’s QuickBooks file requires more extensive cleanup than I anticipated. While my colleagues are supportive, their lack of experience with the system means I’m navigating this mostly by myself.

• Limited Progress: Those anticipated 10 to 15 hours per week are consumed by troubleshooting rather than streamlining processes or making meaningful improvements.

With my responsibilities at the landscape business and school expanding, I’m feeling increasingly overwhelmed. It’s crucial for me to channel my energy into roles that facilitate my professional growth and enable significant contributions. Regrettably, I am questioning if the nonprofit position continues to align with these goals.

So, I turn to those who may have been in a similar situation: how did you determine when it was time to step away from a role that no longer served you? Is it possible to transition out respectfully, even when the