I highly recommend this book for anyone seeking to analyze social capital and understand why traditional business accounting that focuses on money in and out is just not sufficient to value the nonprofit sector. What Counts is especially unique in adding the contribution of volunteers to the measurement of nonprofit resources.

What Counts is a very timely analysis of a major challenge facing nonprofits today—how to properly assess social impacts and the important contributions of volunteers. In an era of resource constraints and increased demands for accountability, creating accounting procedures that highlight the social impacts of nonprofits is critical. What Counts tackles this issue by presenting actual social accounting statements that allow nonprofits to do just that: Four models are presented using seven case studies. Among the issues that are addressed within these accounting statements are the value of volunteer contributions, the impact of the organization on the personal growth and development of its volunteers, the impact of the organization on the recipients of its services, the impact on the community, and the impact on the environment. In other words, these statements address issues that are of importance to nonprofits.

"Generally, books about accounting are not exciting to read. However, What Counts is an eye-opener and raises issues that have the potential to change practice for organizations nonprofits, cooperatives, and other organizations with a social mission." Eric Plato, Director of Finance and Administration, Frontier College

“This book is very significant in providing the beginnings of an alternative social accounting that can actually be described conceptually with procedures spelled out in a ‘how-to-do’ manner. I cannot rave enough about the significance and value of this book.” Thomasina Borkman, Professor, George Mason University

"This thoroughly researched book presents the Expanded Value Added Statement as a major signpost on the journey toward the Holy Grail of credibly accounting for organizations’ social contributions. It belongs on the desk of leaders who care about the future.” Dr. Bob Willard, Author of The Sustainability Advantage

(When you've completed the book, remember to e-mail us at and share your review!)

Volunteer Value Added

…value added is a measure of wealth that an organization creates by "adding value" to externally purchased raw materials, products, and services through the use of labor and capital. In a conventional Value Added Statement, the only labor considered is that of paid employees. However, volunteers constitute a major portion of the workforce of a voluntary organization, and it seems absurd to report that they have zero impact on the value added by that organization simply because their service does not involve a monetary transaction. This study addresses this inequity by measuring the contributions given and received by volunteers and by including this value in the Expanded Value Added Statement. The strength of the EVAS lies in its ability to take a broader look at the organization and the role of volunteers within it and to put this in a larger socioeconomic perspective. (page 134)

Table of Contents