When it comes to accounting, attention to detail clearly matters. Fortunately for one nonprofit organization based in Rockville, Maryland, Michael Adams is on the job.
For almost 10 years, Michael, who has an intellectual disability, has been an accounting assistant at the organization, where his main responsibility is finalizing the processing of accounts payable checks after they are printed. This entails stamping invoices as paid with the right check number and date, filing them, and packaging checks and invoice return stubs in envelopes to mail them. These duties are essential to the organization's financial recordkeeping, and Michael's coworkers appreciate his accuracy and speed in completing them.
Michael also shreds sensitive documents and takes check deposits to the bank, along with other tasks. A part-time employee, Michael also works at two other organizations, CHI Centers, Inc., a nonprofit that supports adults with developmental disabilities, and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in Adelphi, Maryland. When not at work, Michael loves watching the Washington Redskins play. An overall sports fan, he also loves watching basketball, baseball and hockey.
Michael says he loves working overall and hopes to try many different jobs in the future, because employment provides him a sense of purpose and a good way to spend his time. He likes knowing that he's fulfilling the needs of different organization, he says. Also, he just enjoys being around people. According to his coworkers, the feeling is mutual.