Overview
Set yourself apart with this niche area of financial management and earn standing towards the Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager (CAFM) designation.
Upon completion of this diploma, earn credit towards the Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager (CAFM) designation offered by the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association. Whether working for or with a First Nations community, this increasingly in-demand designation will set you apart from your competitors in the job market.
Become a go-to solution provider for clients looking for financial advice. Help Indigenous organizations manage their finances and plan for their future. This career path takes your interest in the business world and combines it with your excellent communication skills, ability to convey complex ideas in a simple manner and desire to uphold ethics. Learn how to advance in this demanding, yet rewarding, career.
Learn the world of business within the unique framework of an Indigenous perspective. Develop skills in business law, financial accounting and reporting, and ethics. Higher-level courses enhance critical thinking skills.
Find opportunities in accounting and financial management within an Indigenous context including accounting firms, banks, credit unions, First Nation communities and organizations, government and non-profit organizations, and consulting firms.
Admissions
- Two-year diploma or university degree
- Entry level accounting knowledge is required. Applicants without this will be required to take ACCT-0003 Financial Accounting 1 and ACCT-0004 Financial Accounting 2 (or equivalent) prior to the start of the program.
If you do not have a prior post-secondary credential, please see our Business Administration program where you can specialize in Accounting, Finance, Human Resource Management or Marketing.
English is the language of instruction at Assiniboine. All applicants educated outside of Canada or in a country not on the test exempt list must meet the English language proficiency requirement. See assiniboine.net/elp for more information. IELTS score of 6.0 with no subscore less than 5.5 or equivalent is acceptable for this program.
Careers & Connections
Careers
Graduates find excellent opportunities in accounting and financial management within an Indigenous context including accounting firms, banks, credit unions, First Nation communities and organizations, government and non-profit organizations, and consulting firms.
Connections
Students may earn advanced standing towards the Certified Aboriginal Financial Managers (CAFM) program through the Aboriginal Financial Officers Association (AFOA).
Assiniboine has a number of agreements with other colleges, universities and professional organizations, making it possible to apply credit taken at Assiniboine to programs at other institutions. For up-to-date information on agreements, visit Assiniboine’s Articulation Agreements page.
Tools & Supplies
You benefit from industry networking and guest speakers and attend classes in computer labs, regular classrooms and lecture theatre. This program uses online learning resources and instructional resources.
Booklists are available from your school office 30 days prior to the start date of your program. Visit the Bookstore website to learn more.
Booklist:
Program Checklist:
Bring Your Own Device
Programs at Assiniboine have certain technology requirements. Students require access to computer devices at home and may be required to bring these on campus when instructed.
For this program, students are expected to own or acquire a mobile computing device (most commonly a laptop or tablet) to bring on campus when instructed.
Bring Your Own Device Information
Courses & Costs
To graduate with an advanced diploma in Indigenous Financial Management, students must successfully complete 60 academic credits. The minimum passing grade for each course is indicated on the course outline.
Estimated Program Costs
Tuition, fees and Students’ Association fees total approximately $4,020. Estimated costs for books and supplies are $1,330.
Courses
Title | Credits/CEUs | Elective | Distance | PLAR |
---|---|---|---|---|
Advanced Software (COMP-0598)Prerequisite: COMP-0597 Software Applications |
6 credit(s) | Yes | No | No |
Corporate Finance (BUSN-0165)Students explore finance issues and the tools used by financial managers in decision-making. Topics include the corporate financial environment and its impact on decisions, time value of money, investing and risk management, distribution of earnings, capital budgeting techniques and short-, medium- and long-term financing decisions. |
6 credit(s) | Yes | No | No |
Financial Accounting 3 (ACCT-0005)Prerequisites: ACCT-0004 Financial Accounting 2; MATH-0001 Financial Math OR MATH-0107 Math for Business |
6 credit(s) | Yes | Yes | No |
Financial Accounting 4 (ACCT-0007)Prerequisite: ACCT-0005 Financial Accounting 3 |
6 credit(s) | Yes | Yes | No |
Indigenous Ethics - Case Study (ABOR-0021)The course is intended for participants who are managers and staff working in/with finance and administration in/of Indigenous communities. The course takes students through the theory and philosophy of ethics, an analysis of what makes an ethical organization, a comparative analysis of codes and ethics from different organizations, and finally developing a Code of Ethics that reflects the ideals and purpose of an organization. Students work from real life issues and compile the results into a final Ethics Case Study. |
6 credit(s) | Yes | No | No |
Indigenous History (ABOR-0022)In order to make sense of current issues and developments in Indigenous communities, learners need an understanding of the history of these communities and their relationships with the crown and/or state. This course gives the learner the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the history of relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous societies, their institutions and the unique context of these histories and the current realities and initiatives, considering Indigenous culture. While it is impossible in one course to consider the diverse Indigenous cultures and histories within Canada, this course provides an overview of the commonalities with regard to shared histories, significant events, and common core aspects of Indigenous cultures. |
6 credit(s) | Yes | No | No |
Indigenous Human/Fiscal Issues (ABOR-0023)This course examines some of the human resource and financial issues a financial officer may face when working in an Indigenous context. It offers participants the opportunity to acquire the essential skills and knowledge needed to fulfill one of the roles of a financial officer: that of a human resource manager. The framework for course discussions is current initiatives (both at the national and professional level) and addressing issues related to the present fiscal relationship between Indigenous governments and the Canadian state, with particular attention given to issues related to accountability. |
6 credit(s) | Yes | No | No |
Intermediate Mgmnt Accounting (ACCT-0052)This course applies accounting information to internal decision-making. Students explore the managerial and ethical issues relation to the determination and analysis of relevant costs and their behaviour. Topics covered include cost allocation, cost management, product costing, strategy and control, transfer pricing, joint and by-product costing, and spoilage. |
6 credit(s) | Yes | No | No |
Introductory Mgmnt Accounting (ACCT-0050)Prerequistie: ACCT-0004 Financial Accounting 2 |
6 credit(s) | Yes | No | No |
Sage Accounting Software (ACCT-0051)Prerequisite: ACCT-0003 Financial Accounting 1 |
6 credit(s) | Yes | No | No |
Statistics 1 (MATH-0002)Prerequisites: MATH-0107 Math for Business |
6 credit(s) | Yes | Yes | No |
Statistics 2 (MATH-0003)Prerequisite: MATH-0002 Statistics 1 |
6 credit(s) | Yes | Yes | No |
Strategies and Decisions (ABOR-0024)The course offers the student the opportunity to learn about current practices/activities that support and enable organizational high performance and accountability. It provides information on how to enhance decision-making, planning, performance management, accountability and policy development. This course focuses on the student's role as a financial manager and enhances their ability to make sound and informed decisions as their Indigenous organization seeks high performance. |
6 credit(s) | Yes | No | No |