The Path to becoming a Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager CAFM and Beyond

1
The Path to becoming a Certified Aboriginal
Financial Manager (CAFM) and Beyond!
AFOA MB Conference Winnipeg, Manitoba,
Canada January 29, 2009
2
Who am I?

• M. Chad Bicklmeier, CAFM, CMA
• BFA 10 years, WRTC
• Financial Manager 5years, WRTC Health
• Accounting Instructor, ACC School of Business
• Member of AFOA Canada Curriculum Review Committee
• National Exam Marker AFOA Canada
• Distance Educated

3
Goals of Presentation

• Orientation to CAFM designation
• Introduction to Educational Options with
• CAFM Courses
• Private Institutions
• Colleges
• Public Institutions
• Colleges
• Institutions
• Articulation between Institutions and AFOA (CAFM)
• Beyond the CAFM
• Degrees, Professional Designations (CA, CGA,
  CMA), Masters Degrees, Doctorates ???

4
Goals of Presentation

• Orientation to CAFM designation

5
THE CERTIFIED ABORIGINAL FINANCIAL MANAGER (CAFM)
A Few Important Facts

• The CAFM designation is increasingly becoming
  required for financial management positions in
  Aboriginal communities.
• The CAFM designation is the only one of its kind
  in the world. AFOA Canada has designated close to
  400 CAFMs in Canada.
• Developed with the Certified General Accountants
  Association of Canada (CGA Canada).
• CAFMs can fast track into the CGA Program, up to
  4th Level.
• Assembly of First Nations In July 2008,
  Chiefs-In-Assembly passed a resolution that
  recommended First Nation members obtain financial
  and management training and pursue the CAFM
  designation.

6
WHAT IS A CAFM?
A CAFM is a Certified Aboriginal Financial
Management professional whose skills and
knowledge are based on and tested against
professional standards
What Standards?

• Competency Standards What areas of knowledge
  and skills do you need to have through a
  combination of experience and/or education?
• Ethical Standards What ethical standards must
  you uphold?
• Certification Standards What do you have to do
  to become a CAFM?

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COMPETENCY STANDARDS
Competency Standards These are the knowledge,
skills and attitudes needed to be a competent and
effective financial manager
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ETHICAL STANDARDS
1. Standards of Ethical Conduct

• Must be competent
• Must have integrity

2. Fulfill responsibilities to

• Other individuals
• Organization
• Community / society
• The profession

3. Avoidance of conflict of interest
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HOW TO BECOME A CAFMCERTIFICATION STANDARDS
Three different ways to apply to become a CAFM

• Admission through the AFM Educational Program
• Admission through Special Arrangement A Provision
• Admission through Special Arrangement B Provision

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HOW CAN YOU BECOME A CAFMTHROUGH THE AFM
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Requirements

• Complete the AFM educational program
• Minimum 2 years full-time practical work
  experience in Aboriginal financial management
  environment
• Successfully complete the Professional Exam
• Sign an agreement to abide by the Standards of
  Ethical Conduct

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HOW CAN YOU BECOME A CAFMSPECIAL ARRANGEMENT A
For those with a CGA, CMA or CA designation who
have 2 years minimum experience working in
Aboriginal financial management

• Send in a completed CAFM Application
• Sign an agreement to abide by the Standards of
  Ethical Conduct

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HOW CAN YOU BECOME A CAFMSPECIAL ARRANGEMENT B
For those with more than 5 years experience in
Aboriginal financial management and who meet or
exceed the competency standards

• Send in completed CAFM application
• Successfully complete the Professional Exam
• Sign an agreement to abide by Standards of
  Ethical Conduct

13
Goals of Presentation

• 1. Orientation to CAFM designation
• 2. Introduction to Educational Options with
• CAFM Courses
• Articulation between Educational Institutions and
  AFOA (CAFM)
• Public Private Institutions, hyperlinks and
  introductory information.
• Colleges
• Institutions

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HOW CAN YOU BECOME A CAFM AFM PROGRAM
REQUIREMENTS
Certificate Level Courses

• AFM 1 Financial Accounting 1
• AFM 2 Communications
• AFM 3 Law
• AFM 4 Aboriginal Strategy Decisions
• AFM 5 Values and Ethics in the Aboriginal
  Workplace
• AFM 6 Aboriginal History Developments

Diploma Level Courses

• AFM 7 Computers Systems
• AFM 8 Economics
• AFM 9 Financial Accounting 2
• AFM 10 Financial Accounting 3
• AFM 11 Quantitative Methods
• AFM 12 Management Accounting
• AFM 13 Finance
• AFM 14 Aboriginal Human Fiscal Issues

Offered on on-line through AFOA and at
accredited colleges and universities Offered
on-line through AFOA only
15

• University Program Information
• Assiniboine College Exemption Listing
  (PDF - 138 KB) Brandon University Exemption
  Listing (PDF - 140 KB) College St. Boniface
  Exemption Listing (PDF - 138 KB) Red River
  College Exemption Listing (PDF - 140 KB) Univers
  ity College of the North (previously Keewatin
  College) Exemption Listing (PDF - 136 KB) Un
  iversity of Manitoba Exemption Listing - MBA
  (PDF - 139 KB)  Exemption Listing
  (PDF - 139 KB) University of Winnipeg Exemption
  Listing (PDF - 142 KB) Yellowquill College
  Exemption Listing (PDF - 143 KB)  

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Assiniboine Community College

• Recently signed agreement with AFOA Canada to
  deliver all CAFM courses.
• Has articulation agreements with Brandon
  University (22) and CGA Canada.
• Rural Manitoba focused, main campus in Brandon
  with satellite campuses in Dauphin, Neepawa,
  Russell, Swan River, Steinbach, and Winnipeg.
• Agreement with CANDO to offer EDO accredited
  program.

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Assiniboine Community College

• Website hyperlinks
• Main Public Website for ACC
• ACC School of Business
• All programs offered by ACC (2008/2009)

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Brandon University

• Website hyperlinks
• http//www.brandonu.ca/
• http//calendar.brandonu.ca8080/servlet/calendar

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Campus Manitoba

• A Partnership between Universities and Colleges
  to improve access to education.
• Website hyperlinks
• http//www.campusmanitoba.com/
• https//admissions.campusmanitoba.com/(g1ulx4uhpi1
  xpi3ehe1f4cnq)/student/public/CurrentCourseOfferin
  gs.aspx
• http//www.campusmanitoba.com/equivalency_links.as
  p
• Booklets available courtesy Bonnie Proven,
  Director
• Campus Manitoba

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College St. Boniface

• Website hyperlink
• http//www.ustboniface.mb.ca/

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Red River College

• Full-Time Programs
•  
•  Business Administration (2 Year Diploma)
  (Accounting Major)
•  
• http//me.rrc.mb.ca/Catalogue/ProgramPrint.aspx?Pr
  ogCodeBUSAF-DPRegionCodeWPG
•  
• This program is also available on a part-time
  basis.
•  
•  ACCESS Business Administration Integrated (3
  Year Diploma) - Open to Aboriginal people,
  immigrants, single parents. 
•  
• http//me.rrc.mb.ca/Catalogue/ProgramPrint.aspx?Pr
  ogCodeACCBF-NARegionCodeWPG
•  
• To apply to this program, applicants are asked to
  complete an ACCESS application as well as a
  general RRC application, here is the link to
  general application and the ACCESS application
•  
• http//www.rrc.mb.ca/files/File/admissions/Applica
  tionDayProgramsAndInstructions.pdf - General
  Application
•  
• http//www.rrc.mb.ca/files/File/aboriginal/ACCESSa
  pplication.pdf - ACCESS Application
•  

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Red River College

•  
•  Accounting (Part-time, some courses available
  via distance delivery)
•  
• http//me.rrc.mb.ca/Catalogue/ProgramPrint.aspx?Pr
  ogCodeACCOP-CTRegionCodeWPG
•  
• Human Resource Management Certificate
  (Full-time, part-time and distance delivery)
•  
• http//me.rrc.mb.ca/Catalogue/ProgramPrint.aspx?Pr
  ogCodeHUMRP-CTRegionCodeWPG
•  
•  Financial Planning Certificate (Part-time
  distance delivery )
•  
• http//me.rrc.mb.ca/Catalogue/ProgramPrint.aspx?Pr
  ogCodeFINPP-CTRegionCodeWPG
•  
•  Management Development Certificate (HR courses)
  (Part-time, some courses available via distance
  delivery)
•  
• http//me.rrc.mb.ca/Catalogue/ProgramPrint.aspx?Pr
  ogCodeMANDP-CTRegionCodeWPG
• Jaime Richard, Aboriginal Recruitment Officer

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University College of the North

• Website hyperlink
• https//www.ucn.ca/ics
• https//mycampus.ucn.ca/ics/Programs/

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University of Manitoba

• Website hyperlink
• http//umanitoba.ca/
• http//webapps.cc.umanitoba.ca/calendar09/

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University of Winnipeg

• The University of Winnipeg has recently created a
  Faculty of Business and Economics. 
• 1) The Faculty offers direct entry for students -
  start taking Business classes or Economics
  classes during their first year of study.
• 2) The Business and Administration department is
  currently working with the CGA to offer all of
  the required courses to receive the CGA
  designation.
• Website hyperlink
• www.uwinnipeg.ca
• Contact
• Dallas Hull, BA, Administrative Assistant
• Faculty of Business and Economics

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Yellow Quill College

• The College was founded in October, 1984, by the
  Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council.
• The three year CAFM diploma program prepares
  students to work toward a Certified Aboriginal
  Financial Manager (CAFM) designation, a Certified
  General Accountant (CGA) designation, and a
  Bachelor of Accounting Science Degree (University
  of Calgary).

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Yellow Quill College

• Website hyperlinks
• http//www.yellowquill.org/
• CAFM Link
• http//www.yellowquill.org/index.php?optioncom_co
  ntenttaskviewid57Itemid83

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Canadian Colleges Offering Full AFM Program to
Students

• Assiniboine Community College Manitoba
• College of the Rockies British Columbia
• Yellowquill College, Manitoba
• School of Community Government North West
  Territories
• Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies
  (SIIT) Saskatchewan
• Source AFOA Canada 2007/2008 Annual Report

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Goals of Presentation

• Orientation to CAFM designation
• Introduction to Educational Options with
• CAFM Courses
• Private Institutions
• Colleges
• Public Institutions
• Colleges
• Institutions
• Articulation between Institutions and AFOA (CAFM)

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THE CAFM PROFESSIONAL EXAMINATION
Exam Preparation Session

• 3 Day session
• Reviews areas covered in CAFM professional
  examination and study habits
• Participants receive copy of practice examination
• Held 2 times a year, next sessions to be held in
  2009

May 25-26-27 in Calgary October 5-6-7 in
Ottawa
CAFM Professional Examination

• Written in your own community with an invigilator
• Passing mark is 65
• Written 2 times a year Next examinations
  written in 2009

July 6 November 16
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MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION (MOC)
CAFMs are now required to continue their
professional development in order to maintain and
improve their professional standards as a CAFM.
TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS REQUIRED FOR ONE YEAR 20
HOURS

• ALL ACTIVITIES MUST BE RELATED TO ONE OF THE
  FOLLOWING AREAS
• Aboriginal Issues
• Finance / Accounting
• Management Skills
• Governance and Leadership
• 3 MOC Categories
• Continuing Education
• Leadership / Volunteer Work
• Instruction

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MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION (MOC)
Continuing Education
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MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION (MOC)
Leadership / Volunteer Work
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MAINTENANCE OF CERTIFICATION (MOC)
Instruction
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AFOA ON-LINE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES
FOCUSING ON MANAGEMENT SKILLS

• AFOA 1 Community Economic Development
• AFOA 2 Aboriginal Management Practices Level I
• AFOA 3 Aboriginal Program Management
• AFOA 4 Aboriginal Management Practices Level II
• AFOA 5 Value and Ethics in the Workplace (also
  offered
• thru AFM Program)

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AFOA ON-LINE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES
FOCUSING ON MANAGEMENT SKILLS

• AFOA 6 Performance Measurement and Reporting in
• First Nations NEW!!
• AFOA 7 An Introduction to Comprehensive Planning
  in
• First Nations NEW!!
• AFOA 8 Developing an Effective Remedial
  Management
• Plan in First Nations NEW!!

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KNOWLEDGE SHARING AFOA NATIONAL CONFERENCE
8 National Conferences held Over 5,000
attending in total
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KNOWLEDGE SHARING AFOA CANADA NATIONAL
CONFERENCE
REGISTER NOW!! February 24, 25, 26, 2009 in
Calgary, Alberta Hyatt Regency Calgary
Hotel REGISTER ON-LINE AT WWW.AFOA.CA
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Goals of Presentation

• Orientation to CAFM designation
• Introduction to Educational Options with
• CAFM Courses
• Public Private Institutions
• Colleges
• Institutions
• Articulation between Institutions and AFOA (CAFM)
• Beyond the CAFM
• Degrees, Professional Designations (CA, CGA,
  CMA), Masters Degrees, Doctorates ???

40
Laddered Education
Campus Manitoba attempting to consolidate
institutions to provide seamless education
through Manitoba's public post-secondary
institutions. Recommendation Ensure your
education is portable, others will recognize it
and honour it.
41
Laddered Education
Assiniboine Community College ladders to Brandon
University. Red River College ladders to
University of Winnipeg. Yellow Quill College
ladders to University of Calgary. Most Colleges
and Universities ladder to CGA educational
requirements.
42
Laddered Education
All professional accounting designations now
require a degree for entry into their
program. All designations (CA, CGA, CMA) have
similar core course requirements, with minor
differences/specializations.
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Professional

• http//www.cma-manitoba.com/
• http//www.cga-manitoba.org/cga/index.aspx
• http//www.icam.mb.ca/

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Laddered Education
Certificate one year Diploma two year CAFM
certification two/three year Degree
three/four year Professional Designation
four/six years Masters Degree six/eight
years Doctorate eight to twelve years?
45
Goals of Presentation

• Orientation to CAFM designation
• Introduction to Educational Options with
• CAFM Courses
• Public Private Institutions
• Colleges
• Institutions
• Articulation between Institutions and AFOA (CAFM)
• Beyond the CAFM
• Degrees, Professional Designations (CA, CGA,
  CMA), Masters Degrees, Doctorates ???

46
QUESTIONS AND CONTACT INFORMATION
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QUESTIONS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

• M. Chad Bicklmeier, CAFM, CMA
• Accounting Instructor, School of Business,
  Assiniboine Community College
• 1430 Victoria Avenue East, Brandon, Manitoba R7A
  2A9
• Toll Free 800-862-6307
• Phone [phone] ext 7039
• Fax [phone] 
• Email bicklmeierc_at_assiniboine.net