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
Purpose / Key Considerations
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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.
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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
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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
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VP
Director Generals
Directors
Managers
Administrative Staff
Finance Colleagues
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Other FMAs
Internal Reporting
TB Submissions
Financial Systems
Policies
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Communication Skills
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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
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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
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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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