*Changes to the CAFM Education Path are expected in January 2027.

If you are planning or starting out in a career in Indigenous finance, the CAFM Education path is the place to start. You can complete the CAFM Education Program by progressing through the AFOA Canada Indigenous Financial Management certificate and diploma. These programs allow students to progressively obtain all 14 courses required to complete the CAFM Education Program. You will earn a certificate and diploma as you progress the qualification milestones.

The CAFM education path includes:

1) Completion of the CAFM Educational Program consisting of 9 courses in accounting and finance taken at post-secondary institutions and five courses on related Indigenous study delivered by AFOA Canada and in partnership with participating PSIs.

CAFM 1   –  Introductory Financial Accounting
CAFM 2   –  Business Communications
CAFM 3   –  Indigenous Business Law or Business Law *
CAFM 4   –  Indigenous Strategy & Decisions *
CAFM 5   –  Intermediate Financial Reporting 1
CAFM 6   –  Indigenous History & Developments *
CAFM 7   –  Intermediate Financial Reporting 2
CAFM 8   –  Introductory Management Accounting
CAFM 9   –  Information Technology
CAFM 10 –  Corporate Finance & Fundamentals
CAFM 11 –  Audit & Assurance
CAFM 12 –  Accounting Software Application Course
CAFM 13 –  Indigenous Ethics Case Study *
CAFM 14 –  Indigenous Human & Fiscal Issues *

*Delivered by AFOA Canada.

Note: All accounting and finance courses approved by CAFM will be equivalent to CPA-accredited post-secondary institution courses, allowing Indigenous Financial Management Diploma holders and designated CAFMs to apply for credit for these courses should they chose to pursue the CPA Professional Education Program.

2) Final exam
3) Two-years of practical experience in an Indigenous environment.

What to do:

1. 1. If you are not already a member of AFOA Canada, submit a Membership Application form along with membership dues plus applicable taxes
   2. Send in a completed CAFM Education Path Application and required documentation with the application processing fee of $250.00 plus applicable taxes.
   3. Await response for Exam Eligibility from AFOA Canada, then submit your Exam Registration and fee of $350.00 plus applicable taxes.

For AFOA Members with more than 5 years experience in Indigenous financial management that meet or exceed the competency standards and required qualifications, you have the potential to fast track to the CAFM designation, you must:

• • • Successfully complete the two pre-requisite courses in the following order:
      1. CAFM 4 – Strategy & Decisions, and
      2. CAFM 14 – Indigenous Human & Fiscal Issues;
    • Meet the 5 years practical work experience requirement in an Indigenous financial management position;
    • Submit a completed CAFM Experience Path Application and remit the Application Processing Fee of $250.00 plus applicable taxes;
    • Sign an agreement to abide by the Standards of Ethical Conduct (included in CAFM Experience Path Application );
    • Submit letter of reference from two sponsors;
    • Meet the CAFM Exam eligibility requirements. and;
    • Successfully pass the CAFM Professional Exam ($350.00 plus applicable taxes).

What to do:

1. 1. 1. Complete the pre-requisite courses. Take CAFM 4 – Strategy & Decisions before CAFM 14 – Indigenous Human & Fiscal Issues.
      2. If you are not already a member of AFOA Canada, submit a Membership Application form along with membership dues plus applicable taxes.
      3. Send in a completed CAFM Experience Path Application and required documentation with the application processing fee of $250.00 plus applicable taxes.
      4. Await response for Exam Eligibility from AFOA Canada, then submit your Exam Registration and fee of $350.00 plus applicable taxes.

*The CPA profession is evolving, and the CAFM CPA Experience Path will evolve alongside it. Changes to the CAFM CPA Experience Path are expected in January 2027.

For AFOA members with a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation in good standing with more than 5 years experience in Indigenous financial management that meet or exceed the competency standards and required qualifications, you have the potential to fast track to the CAFM designation, you must:

• • • Successfully complete two pre-requisite courses:
      • CAFM 6 – Indigenous History & Developments, and
      • CAFM 14 – Indigenous Human & Fiscal Issues;
    • Meet the 5 years practical work experience requirement in an Indigenous financial management environment;
    • Letters of reference from two sponsors;
    • Applicants who work for an accounting firm, must include up to 3 letters of references from Indigenous Communities or organizations they have as clients, and
    • Sign an agreement to abide by the Standards of Ethical Conduct (included in CAFM – CPA Experience Path Application)

What to do:

1. 1. 1. If you are not already a member of AFOA Canada, submit a Membership Application form along with membership dues plus GST/HST.
      2. Send in a completed CAFM – CPA Experience Path Application and required documentation with the application processing fee of $250 plus GST/HST.
      3. Include a letter from your provincial CPA office indicating you are a member in good standing.