|
Finance
From the Annual Report 2001/2002
Administrative Staff
The administrative staff is composed of the organizational support workers without whom the Council would not function. Administrative staff work co-operatively with and take general direction from the program officers. Support staff also facilitate in booking rooms, provisioning refreshments and other logistical services for meetings and special events.
Accounting Staff
There have been some changes within the accounting staff structure this year. The previous Finance Manager, Donna Wesley, left WFNC to pursue other ventures, allowing Debbie Korobanik to assume the role of Acting Finance Manager. Our current Finance Manager is Ida Yesno. Grace Strang, the previous Bookkeeper, also left Windigo. Our current Bookkeeper Myrna Quedent is providing her services in that capacity.
The Finance Manager and Bookkeeper monitor and record all aspects of the Council's fiscal operations and ensure that all financial reports and statements are issued on time and with accuracy. To ensure accountability and to meet the requirements of the member First Nations and funding organizations, a mandatory audit by an independent third party is completed each year. For the fiscal year 2001-2002, B.D.O. Dunwoody will complete the audit.
Though the economic environment is sometimes unforgiving, WFNC continues it's financial endeavor to remain open and accountable.
Acting Finance Manager Report
Debbie Korobanik
The Windigo Chiefs appointed me to the Finance Manager position in late November 2001 in an acting capacity as a response to Donna Wesley's resignation.
At that time, the Administration Office was in Frenchmen's Head. However, the bookkeeper, Grace Strang, moved to the main office in early January 2002. Renovations to the Finance Office took place just before the move to accommodate the "new" Finance Office.
Grace left in early March and was replaced by Myrna Quedent. Myrna has been with Windigo for three months (at the time of this writing) and is doing a great job. She comes to us from Shibogama First Nations Council with a lot of experience and skills.
On March 31, 2001, the Council's overall cumulative deficit was approximately $169 000.00; however, through concentrated effort, the Council was able to lessen this amount by $25 000.00, reducing the overall deficit to approximately $144 000.00.
An "Account Payable" system was established during the year to ensure that all expenses were being recorded when incurred, rather than when paid.
Windigo maintains a number of ongoing programs in addition to various capital projects with National Health & Welfare. Some of the highlights from this past fiscal year include:
Purchase of building at 39 ½ King Street (which now houses the Windigo Technical Unit).
$1 000 000.00 grant from Fed Nor to install telecommunications infrastructure in the Windigo communities (to access high speed internet and network with other community offices and government offices).
Settlement for trappers from Barrick Gold regarding environmental issues after the closure of Golden Patricia mine.
The Windigo Chiefs are firmly committed to fiscal responsibility and to reducing Windigo's deficit each year, for the next few years, until the Council is in a surplus position.
From the Annual Report 2002/2003
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
The administrative staff is composed of the organizational workers without whom the Council would not function. Administrative staff work co-operatively with and take general direction from the program managers. Support staff also facilitate in booking rooms, provisioning refreshments and other logistical services for meetings and special events.
FINANCE STAFF
Once again there have been some changes within the finance department. I, Ida Yesno assumed the position as the Finance Manager in September, replacing Debbie Korobanik who on the interim had been the A/Finance Manager. Debbie has since gone back to her position as the Finance Officer and Myrna Quedent has continued to provide her services in the bookkeeping capacity as the Finance Clerk.
We, the Finance Manager and Finance Clerk maintain all aspects of the Council's fiscal operations and ensure that all financial reports and statements are issued accurately and on a timely basis. To ensure accountability and transparency and to meet the requirements of the funding organizations and member First Nations, a mandatory audit by an independent third party is completed each year. BDO Dunwoody LLP has been reappointed to conduct the audit for fiscal year 2002-03.
As at March 31, 2002, the Council's cumulative deficit was approximately $125,000 and we are hoping that we will be able to reduce this even further with this coming fiscal year end audit. To enhance financial controls we have implemented a purchase order requisition system with only three employees having the authority to issue purchase orders. And the development of the financial policies and procedures and its adoption in principle at the Chiefs meeting in February further enhances the financial controls.
With the implementation of financial policies and procedures and adherence to these policies, the Council will be in a better position to recover the existing deficit and avoid incurring future deficits.
Finance Advisor Report
F I N A N C E A D V I S O R
(Debbie Korobanik)
The first six months of the fiscal year was spent as the Acting Finance Manager. During this period, I was busy with audit preparations and working with the Auditor. Annual budgets were then completed and presented to the Finance Committee for approval. Another major activity during this period was the completion and submission of various reports to funding agencies, with particular emphasis on the five FedNor projects that were being completed at the time. A group benefits package for the Windigo Catering employees was prepared and submitted to Placer Dome for approval. An agreement was struck and the Catering employees now have extended health and pension benefits since June 2002. During this time, I also made a few visits to communities, generally to assist with audit preparations.
When I returned to the Finance Advisor position in September 2002, I continued to oversee the completion of the FedNor projects:
Broadband, Slate Falls
Broadband, Bearskin & 3 communities (completed Feb. 15, 2003)
Broadband, 4 communities
GIS upgrade (ends March 31, 2003)
Youth Mentor (completed Nov. 30, 2002)
Another FedNor project to complete a business case for a telecommunications solution in Slate Falls and Koocheching has just started.
For the last six months of the year, I completed the following:
· A lot of work relating to 'remedial management activities';
· Assisting Sachigo Economic Development Corporation with year-end entries and financial reporting;
· Funding application for financial management training (which was denied until April 1st);
· Liaising with a CESO management consultant and completing two funding applications to hire a management consultant (one approved, waiting for approval on 2nd application);
· Trained new bookkeeper at Cat Lake Power Authority;
· Set up a new set of books for community store in North Caribou Lake;
· Assisted with completion of 2003-04 annual budgets for Bearskin Lake First Nation;
· Completed a draft co-management agreement;
· Updated Remedial Management Plan and completed a five-year cash flow projection.
Below is a graph summarizing my travel for the 2002-03 fiscal year.
For the 2003-04 year, my annual goals are:
1. Assist Bearskin Lake First Nation (and other communities) to submit its audit by July 31, 2003.
2. Oversee the implementation of Bearskin Lake First Nation management development plan through the services of a CESO management consultant, and report back to funders.
3. Attend quarterly finance meeting in Bearskin Lake First Nation (and other communities, if requested).
4. Assist Cat Lake First Nation to establish an O&M (Public Works) Department with the help of Windigo's Capital Planner.
5. Assist communities with implementation of any management development initiatives by completing funding applications, coordinating training, etcetera.
6. Assist Finance Manager with the completion of any funding proposals, reports, and etcetera.
7. Work cooperatively with and assist other Program Managers within my area of expertise.
|
