Roles and Opportunities as an FI in the Financial Management Advisor

Presentation to the FMI Professional Development Session

By: Lionel Lobo, CGA

February 27th, 2014

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Purpose / Key Considerations

Overview of my Roles Financial responsibilities Stakeholders involved Communication Skills People Skills Challenges Opportunities Questions

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Overview of my Roles

Financial Advisor to the Information Science and Technology Branch (ISTB) at the CBSA.• ISTB has a budget of over $350M, many projects, and 1,400 FTEs• Support three out of eight directorates• Manage FIs • Analyze the financial status of the directorates on a monthly basis• Lead on the Financial Status Report for the Vice President • Review Dashboards on projects / initiatives• Report to Corporate Finance

Financial Responsibilities Analyze budgets, forecasts, and plans Use various financial systems, i.e. SAP Provide financial input into the Memoranda to Cabinet,

Treasury Board Submissions, and costing templates Integrated Business Plans Business cases, and pressure reports ARLU, Capital Year Plans, etc…

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Stakeholders involved with a FMA VP Director Generals Directors Managers Administrative Staff Finance Colleagues

• Other FMAs• Internal Reporting• TB Submissions• Financial Systems• Policies

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Communication Skills Who is your audience? Finance is a language Listen carefully to your clients Problems – followed by solutions, and recommendations Speak confidently Be careful of what you say and write Get right to the important matters when dealing with the

senior executives

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People Skills Let the clients know that you are there to help them Be approachable Encourage staff to engage face to face with the clients Give hands on training, and be patient Build a trust in the relationship with the clients

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Challenges Financial Management roles are expanding Understand the clients business Two bosses - clients and manager Be accountable for your actions, and follow through on

commitments Short deadlines Delegate work Managing the staff and their work you are responsible for Be a mentor to your employees, continuous learning i.e.

CGA/CMA, language, etc… Values and ethics – serving with integrity and respect

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Opportunities Clients must be satisfied with the service they are provided by

with a FMA Build trust in your relationship with the clients Engagement - opportunities to work on changes in the finance

community, brainstorm with colleagues Thinking things through - think outside the box, and share

your ideas to make improvements Excellence – delivering results through your own work,

relationships, and responsibilities

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Questions?

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