FINANCE DEPARTMENT

Mission Statement: The mission statement of the Adams Lake Indian Band (ALIB) Finance Department is to provide useful and accurate financial information in a timely manner to Adams Lake Indian Band Community and other stakeholders.

Executive Summary:

During the fiscal year 2019/2020, ALIB finance department recorded financial transactions accurately in accordance to GAAP, FAL, and ALIB financial and accounting manual policies. We produced timely, accurate and relevant financial reports to directors, program heads on a monthly basis and supplied quarterly reports to the council. Finance department also supported other departments with their financial reporting to external agents, funders, and council. During this fiscal year, finance department researched and gave supporting documents for any financial projects or transactions that council and management embarked on or plan to implement.

Due to our outstanding financial performances, ALIB received First Nations Financial Management Certifications. Other external accountants such as Spearhead Management Canada Ltd who conducted audit review on behalf of Indigenous Services Canada also commended our internal controls and good financial policies.

Finance Department Staff:

Alysa Deshima works in payroll as an accounting officer. She has been with ALIB for over two and a half years. She continues to pursue her academic goals of obtaining her (CPA) Canadian Payroll Association-Certified Payroll Manager. Alysa contributed significantly to the growth of our finance department. Bernice August has been working as accounting officer in accounts payable for the past one and a half years. She is a dedicated worker who took on the task of ensuring that Adams Lake Indian Band members received Council initiative relief fund of $200 per community member. Bernice worked with 2 council members for countless hours starting from the beginning of COVID 19 lockdown. Both Councillor Elaine Julies and Councillor Gina Johnny worked with Bernice on the compilation of member list and distribution of the cheques. Finance team extended our appreciation to both councilors. Like Alysa Deshima, Bernice is also pursuing her professional educational goals. She will be obtaining herbachelor’s degree in business in few semesters. Bernice had completed her first level of AFOA, and she is pursuing her second level to obtain her financial manager certification. Tracy Friesen is the supervisor of finance department. She has been working with ALIB finance department for the past four years. She worked tirelessly to improve financial productivity and helped other accounting officers in producing outstanding work that led to FMB Certifications for ALIB financial performance. Finance team appreciates Tracy’s leadership. Jacqueline Manuel is an accounting officer in charge of accounts receivable and she supported various department with their financial transactions. Jacqueline is also currently pursuing her academic goals. She got an excellent mark in her excel course and hope to be a certified bookkeeper. Donna Lyons is a great asset to our finance department. She helped us with our pre-audit working papers and assisted all our accounting officers with reconciliation projects. Donna helped to produced step by step templates for the use of our staff in reconciliation projects. We all appreciate your dedication and productivity in moving ALIB forward.

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

Highlights and Accomplishments of fiscal year 2019/2020:

Continuation of annual budget cycle with a major improvement in budget transparence and accountability. Finance and Audit Committee efforts in ALIB financial performance is very significant. Key interest of Chief and Council in financial operations to be transparent and accurate is unmeasurable. Leadership of our Executive Director is an inspiration to the entire ALIB finance team. Cooperation between various ALIB departments and Finance department is highly commendable.