FIRST NATIONS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT BOARD. FMB Certification: What Auditors Need to Know March 16, 2017

Transcription

1 FIRST NATIONS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT BOARD FMB Certification: What Auditors Need to Know March 16, 2017

2 Presenter Introductions Scott Munro, CPA, CA, CAFM Director, Standards and Certification Lee Fulla, CPA, CA Manager, Standards and Certification March 16,

3 Agenda Objectives Who is the First Nations Financial Management Board (FMB)? What is the FMB s role? What is Financial Performance Certification? What is Financial Management System Certification? March 16,

4 Agenda (continued) FMB and our clients today How is audited information used by the FMB? How can certification help the auditor? How does certification benefit the First Nation? Questions March 16,

5 Our time together today OBJECTIVES March 16,

6 Objectives Provide an overview of the FMB and its services Highlight the value that Certification can offer audit clients Discuss collaboration opportunities between the FMB, the First Nation and the auditor March 16,

7 Who we are and how we got here WHO IS THE FMB? March 16,

8 Who is the First Nations Financial Management Board? Independent organization formed by First Nations for First Nations under the First Nations Fiscal Management Act The FMB Canada s only legislated body that develops and publishes standards for First Nations financial administration laws, financial management systems, financial performance and local revenue financial reporting Provides independent certification Supports access to affordable long-term debt financing March 16,

9 How was the FMB created? First Nations Fiscal Management Act Enacted in 2005 First Nations Financial Management Board First Nations Tax Commission First Nations Finance Authority March 16,

10 Live Poll 1. Are you familiar with the services offered by the First Nations Financial Management Board? a) Yes I know what the FMB does b) Somewhat I have heard of the FMB c) No I am not aware of who the FMB is March 16,

11 Live Poll 2. Do you serve any clients who have been certified by the First Nations Financial Management Board? a) Yes b) No c) Not sure March 16,

12 What we do and why we do it WHAT IS THE FMB S ROLE? March 16,

13 Develop and maintain standards March 16,

14 Certification services Financial Administration Law Compliance Approval Financial Management Certification Financial Performance Certification March 16,

15 Capacity development and intervention services Capacity Development Intervention Support capacity building necessary to implement a financial management system Sample policies and templates Workshops and webinars Only applies to FNFA borrowing members and only in the event of default or non-compliance with property taxation laws Protects bond holders, rate payers Promotes stability of the borrowing pool and integrity of property taxation regimes March 16,

16 How we measure financial health WHAT IS FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATION? March 16,

17 What is Financial Performance Certification? Point-in-time assessment 7 comprehensive financial ratios Audited financial statements from the most recent 5 years Based on C2 Financial Performance Standards March 16,

18 What is Financial Performance Certification? An opinion by the FMB that the First Nation has met the Financial Performance Standards as at a point in time A Financial Performance Certificate can only be issued after a First Nation enacts a Financial Administration Law FAL FP Standards Met FP Certificate March 16,

19 How is financial performance measured? LIQUIDITY TEST RATIO NET DEBT RATIO CORE SURPLUS RATIO FISCAL GROWTH RATIO ASSET MAINTENANCE RATIO BUDGET PERFORMANCE RATIO PROPERTY TAX COLLECTION RATIO March 16,

20 How we assess financial management practices WHAT IS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CERTIFICATION? March 16,

21 What is Financial Management System Certification? Point-in-time assessment Design & implementation of the First Nation s financial management processes Risk-based approach Financial Management System Standards are based on COSO Framework March 16,

22 Financial Management System Certification Process Desk review of policies compared to FMS Standards / FAL Design review Implementation testing On-site review Point-in-time testing Resolving any gaps or deficiencies in process Remediation (if required) Concluding & Reporting Conclude on design and implementation Recommend Certification to FMB Board of Directors March 16,

23 Who our clients are and what they have accomplished FMB AND OUR CLIENTS TODAY March 16,

24 FMB and our clients today 211 First Nations scheduled to the First Nations Fiscal Management Act 94 Financial Administration Laws 80 Financial Performance Certificates 4 Financial Management System Certificates March 16,

25 FMB clients at a glance FAL FP FMS AB 2 2 BC MB NB 1 NS NT 1 1 ON QC 2 2 SK March 16,

26 HOW IS AUDITED INFORMATION USED BY THE FMB? March 16,

27 How is audited financial information used by the FMB? Financial Performance Certification based on information in financial statements from the most recent 5 years Note disclosures inform determination of normalizations Auditors opinion provides assurance of accuracy and fair presentation Qualified opinion provides insight into risks to non-compliance March 16,

28 HOW CAN CERTIFICATION HELP THE AUDITOR? March 16,

29 How can Certification help the auditor? A Financial Administration Law demonstrates commitment to implementing good governance and financial controls Financial Performance Certification may assist auditors in identifying trends and potential risk areas Financial Management System Certification could the pave way to a controls-based audit Opportunities as an auditor to provide ancillary services to advance progress of First Nations clients toward Certification March 16,

30 How can Certification help the auditor? An improved control environment Reduced engagement risk Improved documentation of financial processes and controls will assist the auditor in his/her understanding of the control environment and in the performance of controls testing Opportunity to conduct more audit work at an earlier stage (e.g. controls testing), thereby reducing the level of work required at year end (benefit to auditor and First Nation) March 16,

31 How can auditors help the FMB? Inform your clients about services offered by FMB, FNFA, and FNTC Provide feedback to clients on their financial systems Identify opportunities for capacity development March 16,

32 WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF CERTIFICATION ON THE ANNUAL AUDIT? March 16,

33 Effect of laws and regulations Canadian Auditing Standard 250 Laws available on First Nations Gazette FAL Standards Document A2 - March 16,

34 Why First Nations become certified WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CERTIFICATION? March 16,

35 Benefits of certification If you ever want your community to grow and prosper FMS Certification is absolutely necessary - Mike McIntyre, CFO, Membertou First Nation March 16,

36 Benefits of certification FMS Certification instills the confidence of our members that the leadership and the administration have the capacity to manage the responsibilities and decisions that they are being held accountable for. - Dwayne Nashkawa, Chief Executive Officer, Nipissing First Nation March 16,

37 Benefits of certification Demonstrates financial administration and management skillsets Comfort to membership, investors & lenders Demonstrates accountability and transparency Access to debt financing at competitive rates and terms March 16,

38 Benefits of certification A shift in decision making Personality Based Or Process Driven March 16,

39 Pathway to economic growth Obtain certification Enter borrowing pool March 16,

40 Live Poll 3. Do you have any clients who may be interested in being Certified by the FMB? a) Yes b) No c) Not sure March 16,

41 Live Poll 4. How familiar are you with the services offered by the FMB? a) Very familiar b) Somewhat familiar c) I still don t know March 16,

42 One last testimonial The FMS Certification has created a framework for us to be more proactive. It's made us ready to address the larger issues surrounding the financial health and well-being of the community. - Chief Maureen Thomas, Tsleil-Waututh Nation March 16,

43 Questions March 16,

44 Watch for follow up Post-webinar survey Access to the archived version of this webinar March 16,

45 Contact the First Nations Financial Management Board Phone: Director of Standards and Certification: Scott Munro, CPA, CA, CAFM Managers of Standards and Certification: Lee Fulla, CPA, CA Natalia Valeev, CPA, CA March 16,

46 Thank you for attending March 16,