About AFOA
The Aboriginal Financial Officers Association of Canada (AFOA) is the centre for excellence and innovation in Aboriginal finance and management. We are the only organization in Canada that focuses on the capacity development and day to day needs of those Aboriginal professionals who are working in all areas of finance and management – today's leaders and those of the future.
AFOA was founded as a not-for-profit association in 1999 to help Aboriginal people better manage and govern their communities and organizations through a focus on enhancing finance and management practices and skills. AFOA's premise is that effective management is key to building social and economic prosperity and essential to successful Aboriginal governance.
How do we achieve our mandate?
AFOA achieves it's mandate by:
- conducting capacity development research aimed at enhancing competency in financial management, general management and program management;
- developing capacity development programs, products and services;
- providing professional development training;
- certifying Aboriginal financial managers;
- participating in the development of Aboriginal financial management, accounting and reporting standards;
- promoting best practices;
- encouraging Aboriginal youth to enter into the finance and management professions;
- providing a forum to share knowledge, experience and best practices; and.
- supporting Aboriginal accountability and governance efforts.
We serve our members' professional needs so that they can help their organizations and communities maximize resources, strengthen decision-making and governance, enhance the delivery of programs and services and meet accountability requirements. We serve our members' needs so that they can improve their skills and knowledge, grow professionally, and progress through their careers.
AFOA membership spans the country from the Pacific to the Atlantic to the Artic. AFOA members are leaders in their communities, organizations, and companies. What binds them is their commitment to financial and management excellence. They are the people who get things done. You can be among them.
Member Benefits
AFOA members enjoy the following benefits:
Professional Development
- Preferred learning opportunities
- On-line learning
- Professional development workshops and events
- Aboriginal Financial Management (AFM) Program
- Aboriginal Management Certificate Courses
- Custom workshops
Programs, Products & Services
- AFOA publications, toolkits, reference material and other resources including AFOA's Aboriginal Finance and Management Capacity Development Series and the AFOA Fiscal Planning Calendar
- Exclusive access to the Members Only Aboriginal Centre for Finance & Management Excellence at www.afoa.ca featuring:
- A knowledge library of professional development resources, databases, best practices, toolkits, case studies
- Discussion groups focusing on professional subject areas
- Career centre
- Useful links
- AFOA's Member Affinity Program
- Fellowship opportunities
- Scholarships and Awards
- Subscription to JAM: The Journal of Aboriginal Management - the only professional Aboriginal management journal in the country
Networking Opportunities & Communications
- Provincial and Territorial Chapters
- Provincial and Territorial regional professional development workshops
- Significant discounts for National Conference and Trade Show
- Newsletters and updates on Aboriginal finance and management developments
Career Advancement
- Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager (CAFM) designation
- Career support and job posting services
Credibility
- AFOA standards of ethical conduct
- AFOA professional competency standards
Financial benefits
- Discount programs
- Reduced and/or no costs for conferences, courses, services and products