Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager Designation

What is a CAFM?

CAFMs are professionals with knowledge and experience in Indigenous environments who meet rigorous standards of skill, ethics and education in finance and accounting.

The CAFM designation demonstrates that you are up to date on the latest Indigenous financial management practices, that you follow Professional Standards of Conduct, and that you are a leader in your community.

CAFMs are in demand because they have the specialized skills to handle the changing financial needs of Indigenous communities and organizations. They are key decision makers and leaders in their organizations/communities and often form the backbone of Indigenous government administration.

Demand is high for CAFMs to fill the following financial roles in Indigenous organizations and communities and in the financial institutions that serve them:

      • Director of Operations
      • Director of Finance, CFO
      • Office Manager
      • Business Consultant
      • Controller
      • Band Manager
      • Director, Finance & Administration

Three Paths to the CAFM

There are three pathways to the CAFM designation:

CAFM Education Program Path

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. 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.

Experience Path

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:

What to do:

      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 Experience 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.

CPA Experience Path

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:

What to do:

      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.

For more information

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