Quick Links

Becoming a Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager (CAFM)

Maintenance of Certification

As evidence to the commitment to the principles of lifelong learning, all CAFMs are expected to meet Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements. See the CAFM MOC Policy below.

Two other criteria must be fulfilled to maintain your CAFM designation – membership in AFOA and compliance with AFOA's Standards of Ethical Conduct.

The MOC policy requires CAFMs to collect 20 hours of professional development or volunteer work closely related to the field of financial management each year in the categories of Continuing Education, Leadership or Instruction.

CAFM Maintenance of Certification Policy

1.0 What is the Purpose of the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Program

AFOA Canada and its chapters have made a commitment to ensure that CAFMs are committed to life-long learning and continue to enhance and develop their Aboriginal Financial Management skills. As such, AFOA has implemented the MOC program for CAFMs which will require CAFMs to maintain their certification by participating in selected professional development and/or volunteer activities.

It is the responsibility of the CAFM to maintain their professional standards, including skills, knowledge and CAFM Code of Ethics. This commitment from the CAFMs adds integrity and credibility to the designation on a provincial and national level as well as maintains trust within our communities, organizations and stakeholders.

2.0 Who will be responsible for Logging MOC information

All active CAFMs with the exception of;

1. Retired CAFMs
2. Elders
3. New CAFMs that receive their designation in the year of certification
4. Those CAFMs with extenuating circumstances (i.e. illness, or parental leave)

will be required to collect 20 hours annually towards maintaining their certification.

CAFMs who have allowed their designations to lapse will also be required to submit their MOC reporting hours for the period they have lapsed their designation.

AFOA will provide CAFMs with a MOC documentation Log for CAFMs to track their hours. This is available for download on our website.

Each year, CAFMs will be required to submit their MOC log by March 31.  AFOA Canada’s Manager, Membership & Certification will enter and maintain individual records in our national database.  

Requests for MOC exemptions must be made in writing to AFOA Canada and will be subject to approval on a case by case basis.

3.0 Reporting Requirements

The CAFMs reporting of professional development activities will coincide with the calendar year (January 1-December 31). Reporting documentation is due to AFOA Canada on March 31st of the following year.

CAFMs are required to report a minimum of 20 MOC hours annually.

4.0 Failure to comply or meet requirements

Those CAFMs who fail to meet their MOC requirements will be sent a letter from AFOA Canada indicating that the hours required to maintain certification have not been met. CAFMs will be requested to send a reply within 30 days of the dated letter appealing or can submit an action plan to obtain credit hours within an approved timeframe.

Should the CAFM submit an action plan to obtain the credit hours and it is approved by AFOA Canada, the CAFM will have an extension of up to one year.

In one year’s time, if the CAFM is found to have not accumulated the required hours for certification, the CAFM designation and membership will be suspended until such time they have submitted their MOC.

In a situation where the CAFM makes no effort to provide appropriate documentation, that CAFM membership will be suspended for a period of one year and will no longer be deemed a member in good standing according to the CAFM Code of Ethics.

If by the following March 31 the CAFM has not submitted their MOC hours, their designation will be terminated.

5.0 Required Documentation

AFOA will conduct random audits on CAFMs annually to ensure that reported professional development can be verified. CAFMs will be encouraged to keep copy of receipts, certificates, and supporting documentation. This information may be requested for audit purposes.

6.0 Maintenance of Certification Log

Below is an example of what AFOA might use when requesting CAFMs to track their professional development. There are a couple of options that can be considered when choosing which MOC log to use.

1. AFOA can break down by Activity and Development Activity
2. AFOA can choose to highlight specific CAFM competencies
3. AFOA can follow the CGA example of using verifiable and non-verifiable hours.
4. AFOA can combine the above 3 to use the best of the above options.

Click on link to download the MOC for that year:

A) Continuing Education

B) LEADERSHIP/VOLUNTEER WORK

C) INSTRUCTION

Membership in AFOA

In order to maintain your CAFM designation, membership in good standing with AFOA is required. If you allow your membership in AFOA to lapse, you cannot use your CAFM designation. The Certificate is the property of the Association and only remains in your possession as long as you remain a Certified Member of AFOA in good standing. All CAFMS who are not a Certified Member in good standing will be required to return their certificates.

Abiding by the Standards of Ethical Conduct

All CAFMs as members of AFOA Canada are required to comply with AFOA's Standards of Ethical Conduct. Failure to comply may be cause of termination of membership and repudiation of the CAFM designation.