Mike Soetan

Senior finance executive with over 12 years of progressive accounting and financial management experience across municipal governments, Indigenous organizations, and public-sector entities. Proven experience serving as Director of Finance, Finance Manager, and Acting Senior Administrative Officer, providing strategic financial leadership, budget oversight, audit coordination, funding compliance, and governance support to Chief and Council. Experienced in managing finance teams, strengthening internal controls, leading annual audits, and supporting long-term financial sustainability.

Finance Director - Hamlet of Gjoa Haven - Nunavut

(2023-04 - 2025-12)

• Provide mentorship to the Director of Finance and the Acting Senior Administrative Officer
• Manage accounting and financial systems
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Mayor and Council from time to time
• Supported with Year-end and audit
• Liaised with funders to find out status of funding and reporting requirements
• Prepared revised budgets and presented to Council for approval

Finance Manager - Shishalh Nation - Sechelt, BC

(2022-01 - 2023-03)

• Assist in overall direction of the Finance Department in performing managerial tasks and highly technical accounting/Financial work
• Coordinate with external auditors in respect to the interim and final audits
• Assist with the preparation of the annual long term financial plan including the associated operating and capital budget
• Prepare financial reports and statistics for outside agencies, regulatory bodies, and other levels of government
• Supervise the continuous improvement of accounting and financial processes and the development of the team with the goal to achieve best practices and optimal output
• Assist with other special and complex task as assigned

Director of Finance / Acting SAO - Municipality of Fort Good Hope - NT

(2020-12 - 2021-12)

• Provide financial and human resources advice and guidance to the chief and council
• Manage accounting and financial systems and maintain full and accurate accounting records
• Conduct financial analysis and prepare detailed financial reports and statements
• Provide financial and accounting advice, direction, and leadership
• Ensure compliance with financial legislation, policies and procedures and adhere to the terms of Block Funding and Contribution Agreements
• Develop and implement purchasing practices and monitor the purchasing system
• Respond to auditors' comments concerning finances and operations and oversee required action to address deficiencies
• Implement and monitor payment authority practices
• Manage the payroll system to ensure all staff are paid on a timely and accurate basis
• Establish and maintain internal controls to ensure compliance with financial and human resources legislation, policies, and procedures

Staff Accountant - Cowdrey & Company CPA

(2018-09 - 2020-07)

• Prepared consolidated internal and external financial statements by gathering and analyzing information from the general ledger system and from departments
• Completed audit planning memo and identified high risk areas
• Assessed the adequacy of internal control systems by completing firm audit questionnaire
• Supported the audit team to perform physical inventory count
• Maintained and balances an automated consolidation system by inputting data; scheduling required jobs; verifying data
• Prepared working papers and financial statements per the requirement of the applicable accounting framework (ASPE/IFRS)
• Performed analytical review of clients' financial statement and inquired about any variances
• Answered accounting and financial questions by researching and interpreting data
• Assisted with other special engagement as assigned by manager

Staff Accountant - St Pierre Jones Accounting Firm

• Prepared monthly financial reports and statements for the management
• Assisted finance and accounting departments in preparing budgets and forecasts
• Performed bank reconciliation and general ledger duties
• Monitored accounts receivable and accounts payable functions
• Reconciled customers balance and made appropriate corrections where necessary
• Interacted with CRA on behalf of clients to resolve issues and submitted requested documents
• Prepared financial statements (NTRs) and corporate tax returns

Accountant - Westbrook Greenhouses Limited

(2017-01 - 2017-12)

• Prepared asset, liability, and capital account entries by compiling and analyzing account information
• Documented financial transactions by entering account information
• Recommended financial actions by analyzing accounting options
• Summarized current financial status by collecting information and preparing balance sheet

Accounting Assistant - Surehire Inc. - Nisku, Alberta

(2015-04 - 2016-05)

Accounting Assistant - WCO Precision Inc. - Woodbridge, Ontario

(2012-01 - 2013-05)

Accounting Clerk - Pieces of History - Vaughan, ON

(2011-02 - 2011-07)

CPA Designation (Final Stage) - Chartered Professional Accountants

Master of Accountancy (CPA Accredited) - Accountancy - Goodman School of Business, Brock University (2016-01 - 2018-07)

Bachelor of Business Administration Specialization in Accounting (Honours) - Accounting - Algoma University (2012 - 2014)