Summary Report on Recipient Audit Performed on Squamish Indian Band
Name: Squamish Indian Band
Location: British Columbia
Population: 2,241 on reserve; 4,243 total registered
Default status at time of audit: Not in default
Current default status: Not in default
Current Chief: Ian Campbell
Time period covered by audit: April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2013
Amount of AANDC funding audited: $21,560,871
Background
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), formally known as Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC), selected the Squamish Indian Band in British Columbia for a Recipient audit based on their 2012-13 risk assessment score and other risk factors.
The objective of the Recipient audit was to provide assurance that funding provided to the Recipient by Canada was spent for its intended purposes and was in compliance with the terms and conditions of the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 Funding Agreements with INAC. The objective was achieved through:
- Examination of the effectiveness of the operations of the Financial Management Control Framework in place at the Squamish Indian Band; and
- Conduct of audit procedures on the eligibility of the expenditures claimed under the terms and conditions of the Funding Agreements with INAC.
Samson & Associates, an independent audit firm, was commissioned by INAC to undertake the Recipient audit. The audit procedures were performed from February 24, 2014 to February 28, 2014. Overall, the Squamish Indian Band had good controls and procedures in place to administer the Funding Agreement.
Finding
The procedures performed identified that internal financial control processes were properly put into place for program administration, financial management and reporting systems. As a result, the Recipient is able to properly manage their expenditures in accordance with the Funding Agreements.
Governance by Chief and Council
The procedures performed identified opportunities to improve governance in support of programs funded by INAC. The controls surrounding governance were determined to be adequate with some recommendation for improvement. A key recommendation was that the Recipient should update their procurement, accounting, conflict of interest policies and procedures manual. Another key recommendation for governance was that the Recipient should create formal terms of reference for Council Committees.
Band Management
The procedures performed found that financial controls related to band management were in place to support programs funded by INAC.
Current Status
A copy of the final report has been sent to the Recipient. INAC and the Recipient are working together to address the findings.
Disclaimer: This audit summary was prepared based on information contained in a Recipient Audit Report on Squamish Indian Band for INAC. The report produced for INAC is intended solely for the information and use of the Recipient and INAC Management. The audit summary only presents limited information on the general findings based on the audit procedures performed and does not provide information on the detailed procedures of findings. Consequently, this summary may not be appropriate for the purpose and use of the reader.