Helping Frontline Workers Help The Community

When Jessica Doxtator, CPA, CA of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte first started thinking about a career path in high school, her motivation was single-minded—get a high compensation. Upon completing her accounting education and seeing the impact of her work within her First Nation community, her mindset shifted, and having a career that was purpose-driven and community-facing became more important. “Knowing that I am making a difference for our community, our Indigenous people and the next 7 generations is what motivates me every day and makes being a CPA a rewarding career.”

In her role as a CPA, Jessica uses her accounting background to assist frontline staff with their financial reporting struggles. “I am directly supporting frontline workers who provide health and social services to our Indigenous people.” As a result, those frontline workers can focus on supporting her First Nation community and Jessica gains more cultural knowledge and understanding of her own self-identity. “It is super rewarding to be able to participate in community events and see our Indigenous families come together, have a joyous time filled with love and laughter and know that I am a part of that team that makes community events possible.”

She understands that for young Indigenous people, pursuing a CPA career may not seem like a popular path to choose, as frontline workers usually get more recognition from the community. But she wants students to remember that behind all the frontline workers is a CPA supporting them to ensure that funding continues to flow to First Nations and that the community gets the resources they need. “Many Indigenous communities are seeking Indigenous CPAs. As First Nations continue to grow, the demand for professionals will continue to grow as well.”