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Free Accounting Fridays
Fridays just got a lot better…we’re bringing back our Free Accounting Fridays!
What are Free Accounting Fridays?
If you have questions on how to set up and use your accounting software, prepare and interpret your business’ financial statements, or need some help applying for a loan or grant, Free Accounting Fridays are a great resource to get accounting help. Every other Friday, student accounting consultants from the Ross Business School and Ford School of Public Policy are available for 1:1 coaching. Students are supervised by career CPAs affiliated with Ernst & Young.
Who’s eligible?
Both for-profit and non-profit organizations in the metro Detroit and Hamtramck region are eligible for free accounting support.
How do I sign up?
In order to receive accounting help, 1) register to attend an upcoming Accounting Magic Workshop (links below), and then 2) sign up for an appointment with one of the accounting consultants at one of the three locations (links below). All Accounting Magic Workshop participants will have early access to book a 1:1 accounting appointment with our student accounting consultants before we open appointments to others.
Check back here for the upcoming Accounting Magic Workshops in 2024.
1:1 Meeting Calendars
Grandmont Rosedale Development Corporation
Southwest Detroit Business Association
What can students help you with?
Past 1:1 accounting appointments have covered topics such as:
- Setting up an accounting/bookkeeping software
- Support with the financial part of loan/grant applications or figuring out parts of a loan application
- Understanding what story your numbers tell
- Learning how to use financial statements in a pitch
- Determining when a line of credit makes sense for your business
Cancellation Policy: Because we pay our students by the hour whether or not clients show up to their appointments, we ask that all businesses provide at least 24 hours’ notice if they need to cancel. Businesses who no-show or who are otherwise unprepared to participate (eg., joining the call while driving) will be bumped to the bottom of the list. Those who no-show twice are unlikely to be selected for other DNEP classes and programs for one academic year.
Meet the 2023-2024 Accounting Team
Lingfeng Zeng
Student Accountant
Lingfeng is in the last year of his Masters of Public Policy program at the Ford School of Public Policy.
Why are you excited to work for DNEP? “I'm thrilled to be a part of DNEP. It lets me help entrepreneurs while strengthening financial and consulting skills. Together, we're shaping a brighter community and ready to face business challenges.”
Why are you excited to work for DNEP? “I'm thrilled to be a part of DNEP. It lets me help entrepreneurs while strengthening financial and consulting skills. Together, we're shaping a brighter community and ready to face business challenges.”
Ricardo Peres da Silva
Student Accountant
Ricardo is an undergraduate junior at the Ross School of Business who runs his own small business teaching kids how to swim on the side.
Why are you excited to work for DNEP? “I am excited to work with the amazing DNEP team and entrepreneurs, using the skills I have cultivated as a Michigan student to contribute to positive social change and give back to some of the communities near where I grew up, and went to school.”
Why are you excited to work for DNEP? “I am excited to work with the amazing DNEP team and entrepreneurs, using the skills I have cultivated as a Michigan student to contribute to positive social change and give back to some of the communities near where I grew up, and went to school.”
Paul Steih
Executive in Residence
Paul is a retired Global Client and assurance partner at Ernst & Young with a passion for sharing his decades-long accounting expertise to coach and mentor others.
Why are you excited to work with DNEP? “I’m excited to be a part of the DNEP team and work with community partners to help entrepreneurs in Detroit! I look forward to helping community leaders and businesses to develop a strong accounting foundation so they can improve and grow their businesses in the future!”
Why are you excited to work with DNEP? “I’m excited to be a part of the DNEP team and work with community partners to help entrepreneurs in Detroit! I look forward to helping community leaders and businesses to develop a strong accounting foundation so they can improve and grow their businesses in the future!”
Will Love
Executive in Residence
As a Detroit resident, Will Love is an assurance partner at Ernst & Young and an active member of the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur Network.