Do you want to advise the Public Sector Accounting Board (PSAB) on how public sector accounting standards can better serve Indigenous governments, their organizations, and their communities?
Do you want to collaborate with other Indigenous representatives to provide Indigenous perspectives to PSAB?
If so, PSAB needs you on its Indigenous Advisory Group! The Board is currently seeking inaugural members for this Group.
About the Group
The purpose of the Indigenous Advisory Group (IAG) is to assist PSAB in better understanding Indigenous insights, issues, and perspectives related to financial and other reporting by Indigenous governments and their organizations (e.g., Indigenous government business enterprises, and Indigenous government-not-for-profit organizations). The IAG will help to enhance PSAB’s collaboration with Indigenous groups and peoples (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) and ensure that public sector accounting standards developed by PSAB better meet the specific needs of Indigenous governments and their organizations across Canada.
Most of the members on the IAG are expected to identify as being Indigenous. Diversity will be achieved, where possible, by obtaining representation from a diverse variety of Indigenous communities with varying sizes, geographic locations, and governance structures.
One of the first tasks for the IAG will be to choose a Chair and Vice-Chair from amongst IAG members and finalize the Terms of Reference of the Group, using the draft terms developed by PSAB as a starting point.
Why volunteer on the IAG
- Be heard – bring Indigenous perspectives to bear on areas that are relevant to public sector accounting standards and learn about potential impacts of such topics on Indigenous governments and other Indigenous organizations.
- Be connected – connect with other Indigenous representatives concerned about ensuring their financial statements provide good financial accountability to their communities.
- Learn from each other – broaden your understanding of how other Indigenous governments and other Indigenous entities are reporting and what issues they are facing.
- Be a resource – share your knowledge and experience with other Indigenous representatives and PSAB and allow this to inform the Board’s work.
About the role
- An ideal candidate will:
- be familiar with how their community uses financial information for accountability purposes, e.g., for the use of the community’s funding and own source revenue;
- understand what Indigenous community members need from the financial reports they receive;
- be able to discuss the financial reporting needs of Indigenous governments and articulate Indigenous perspectives on the financial reports provided for accountability purposes to their communities;
- be willing to speak to other Indigenous communities to understand their financial reporting needs; and
- be comfortable sharing their perspectives and advice with PSAB and their peers on the IAG.
- Appointment effective in 2023, for a three-year term, with the possibility of renewal for a second term.
- The IAG expects to meet two to five times per year. The frequency of meetings may be subject to change depending on availabilities of members, the extent of topics, and issues intended for discussion. Meetings of the Group may be hybrid or in-person and are not open to the public. There will be an option for members to participate in-person in Toronto.
- Out-of-pocket expenses, including travel costs, will be reimbursed.
PSAB continues to prioritize diversity and inclusion on its Board and throughout its committees. Lasting change can only happen if we all take action to address systemic racism and structural inequality, while creating opportunities for underrepresented communities. PSAB expects the majority of IAG members will identify as Indigenous, and encourages nominations of Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQ+ persons, and Indigenous persons with disabilities. If you require a disability related accommodation to participate in our volunteer recruitment process, please email us at [email protected] and we will be happy to work with you to meet your needs as they relate to interviewing for this volunteer position.
PSAB encourages all qualified candidates to apply online. To be considered for appointment as a Group member, please submit an expression of interest and a description of your background, for example an email cover and a resume or a biography.
Further details on PSAB’s commitment to supporting and enhancing its relationship with Indigenous communities can be found in the Board’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan.