Indigenous Financial Management
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
Career Opportunities
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.
2021-22 Lists:
Booklist:
Program Checklist:
Technology Requirements
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. Refer to assiniboine.net/tech for more detailed information about the requirements for this program.
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. Course offerings are subject to change and may vary by intake.
Estimated Program Costs (2022-23)
Credits | Tuition | Course fees | Students' Association fees (Inc Health Premium) | Estimated textbooks, tools and supplies | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Indigenous Financial Management Advanced Diploma | 60 | $3,310 | $760 | $450 | $1,330 |
All fees are estimated and subject to change without notice.
Estimated Program Costs - International (2022-23)
Credits | Tuition | Course Fees | Students' Association fees (Inc Health Premium) | Required Health Insurance | Textbooks, Tools, & Supplies | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Indigenous Financial Management Advanced Diploma
|
60 | $15,200 | $760 | $450 | $1,000 | $1,330 |
All fees are estimated and are subject to change without notice. All international students must purchase health insurance. The college adds this fee to your student account and then sends your name and fee to the insurance provider on your behalf.
This program has certain ‘bring your own device’ requirements that means you may need to purchase certain technology if you do not already own. Please visit assiniboine.net/byod for more information.
Courses
Title | Credits/CEUs | Elective | Distance | PLAR |
---|---|---|---|---|
Advanced Financial Reporting (BUSN-0173)Prerequisite: ACCT-0007 Financial Accounting 4 |
6 credit(s) | Yes | Yes | No |
Advanced Software (COMP-0598)Prerequisite: COMP-0597 Software Applications |
6 credit(s) | Yes | No | No |
Audit and Assurance (BUSN-0174)Prerequisite: ACCT-0005 Financial Accounting 3 |
6 credit(s) | Yes | Yes | No |
Business Law (LAWG-0093)Knowledge of laws affecting your commercial activity can help you avoid unnecessary legal and, consequently, financial liabilities. Fundamental legal principles, as well as specific commercial transactions, are discussed in this course. |
6 credit(s) | Yes | Yes | No |
Canadian Business and Society (BUSN-0166)Students explore the complex business environment and the relationships organizations have with civil society, the natural environment and each other. Through this examination, students learn that ethical decision-making is critical to the successful management of any organization. Topics include changing economic, political, social and cultural forces and their influences on business and society; the continuum of socially responsible management and ethical business practices; and the challenges and opportunities that influence where an organization fits on the continuum. Special attention is given to Indigenous history and developments. |
6 credit(s) | Yes | Yes | No |
Corporate Finance (BUSN-0165)Prerequisite: ACCT-0004 Financial Accounting 2 |
6 credit(s) | Yes | Yes | 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 (INDG-0004)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 (INDG-0005)In order to make sense of current issues and developments in Indigenous communities, learners need an understanding of the history of |
6 credit(s) | Yes | No | No |
Indigenous Human/Fiscal Issues (INDG-0006)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 - 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)Prerequisite: ACCT-0050 Introductory Mgmnt Accounting |
6 credit(s) | Yes | Yes | No |
Introductory Mgmnt Accounting (ACCT-0050)Prerequistie: ACCT-0004 Financial Accounting 2 |
6 credit(s) | Yes | Yes | No |
Sage Accounting Software (ACCT-0051)Prerequisite: ACCT-0003 Financial Accounting 1 |
6 credit(s) | Yes | No | No |
Statistics 1 (MATH-0002)This course acquaints students with the concepts of statistical methods and theory as applied to economic and business data. It examines frequency distribution, probability, probability distribution, sampling, estimation and hypothesis testing. |
6 credit(s) | Yes | Yes | No |
Statistics 2 (MATH-0003)Prerequisite: MATH-0002 Statistics 1 |
6 credit(s) | Yes | Yes | No |
Strategies and Decisions (INDG-0007)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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next program information session?
Program information sessions are completely free to attend, and we invite you to bring a guest along as well. It's a good idea to register in advance so we know you're coming.
To find the complete schedule for our program information sessions and to RSVP, visit the program information session page.
I have a Mac laptop, can I use that?
Laptops using a Windows 10 base operating system are recommended. Mac computing devices are not compatible with the Business Administration or Office Administration programs.