Financial Services for Indigenous Communities and Businesses
Accurate and timely financial data means better community service.
Financial stability is the foundation of strong governance and economic growth. Yet, many Indigenous organizations face challenges such as outdated records, staffing shortages, and late financial reporting. These challenges don’t just create stress; they can impact funding, governance, and long-term sustainability.
Our team understands the unique realities Indigenous communities and businesses face. We provide hands-on, culturally informed support — whether it’s outsourced bookkeeping, strategic financial guidance, or training designed to build your team’s capacity. Working alongside you, we strengthen financial operations and sovereignty, empowering you with greater control and the capacity to manage your financial affairs, government, and administration with your people and resources.
What’s your challenge?
Managing complex financial records and policies
Outdated records, vacant roles, and audit preparation can strain financial teams. Keeping policies compliant and books up to date requires extra capacity — especially when year-end deadlines are approaching.
Building a sustainable finance team
Without a senior finance leader, financial oversight and strategic direction can suffer. Strengthening internal controls, updating policies, and improving accounting processes are essential for long-term financial sustainability.
Behind on year-end audits or monthly financial reports to leadership
Late audits and financial reports create stress and can put funding at risk. Ensuring timely, accurate reporting requires structured training, skilled support, and a team equipped to manage financial responsibilities effectively.
Recruiting and retaining finance staff
Finding and keeping skilled finance staff is especially challenging in remote communities, where resources are limited and turnover is high. Constant vacancies, crisis management, and lack of capacity create long-term financial instability.
How we can help
Outsourced cloud accounting and bookkeeping
Gain reliable financial reporting and strong internal controls to support informed decision-making. With real-time data, your leadership can act with confidence. We work alongside your team, providing mentorship and building lasting capacity.
External Financial Advisor
An EFA is a senior financial advisor from MNP who works with your organization on a contract basis, offering strategic guidance to address both current and future financial management needs. They help you achieve financial and administrative goals while strengthening your team’s capabilities.
Financial management processes support
We help resolve financial challenges by refining budgets, optimizing cash management, and exploring financing solutions. Through staff training and enhanced reporting, we empower your team to better manage resources and drive sustainable growth.
Capacity building and training plans
Strengthen your finance team with tailored learning plans focused on key areas like accounts payable and budgeting. Our culturally sensitive approach aligns with your vision, using your data and systems to deliver practical, customized training.
Frequently asked questions
Funders rely on timely and reliable financial reporting to assess how funds are being used and to make decisions about future support. Inaccurate or delayed reporting — often caused by missing receipts, incorrect coding, or outdated processes — can lead to compliance issues, missed opportunities, or even funding clawbacks.
To ensure compliance, organizations should focus on four key pillars:
- Policy: Clear financial policies establish the foundation for consistent and compliant practices.
- Processes: Efficient bookkeeping procedures aligned with policy help ensure timely and accurate data entry.
- People: Everyone involved — finance staff, management, and leadership — must understand their roles and be properly trained.
- Technology: The right accounting tools, scaled to the organization’s complexity, support accuracy and efficiency.
When these elements are in place, organizations are better equipped to meet reporting deadlines, demonstrate accountability, and maximize funding opportunities.
Data analysis is a key process for any successful organization. Tools that extract data and summarize it in a clear and concise format enable leaders to make more informed decisions. MNP has tools available to create insightful dashboards from your financial data to demonstrate trends and forecasts.
While not guaranteed, historically, we have had success working with organizations to secure funding for most of these services. Most commonly, funding is secured through the Professional & Institutional Development Program (P&ID), but there are several other provincial and federal programs that may help cover or offset these services.
MNP is software agnostic, meaning our support and advice is not limited to certain accounting software. It is important we understand your unique needs before recommending a technology solution.
Many variables will impact staffing needs, such as volume of activity/processing, internal skills, job descriptions, and level of automation within the organization’s financial systems. Through our financial systems review engagement, we are able to provide an approximate complement of staff and a suggested financial organizational structure.
Contact us
You have a vision for your future. We’re here to help you get there. Take the first step and connect with us to learn more.
Who you'll collaborate with
Jenn Schofield MBA, CPA, CA, CAFM
Partner, Indigenous Services
Dan Sorochynski CPA, CGA, CAFM
Partner, Indigenous Services
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