RiverBend Accounting & Management Services
Trusted, practical guidance for Northern organizations and First Nation communities
RiverBend supports governance, community development, and complex financial work through hands-on advisory, controllership, audit readiness, and practical systems that fit real-world conditions. We build capacity by working alongside leadership and staff, with solutions grounded in respect, clarity, and follow-through.
Practical, relationship-based support built for Northern realities
We help organizations make sense of complex financial and operational challenges through hands-on support, clear systems, and dependable follow-through.
About Us
Established 2009. Practical support that fits real-world conditions.
RiverBend Accounting & Professional Services was established in 2009 with a simple goal: to help organizations make sense of complex financial and operational challenges in a practical, respectful, and sustainable way.
What began as a focused accounting practice has grown into something much broader. Over time, RiverBend has become a trusted partner to First Nation communities and organizations across the North, working alongside leadership, staff, and community members to support meaningful progress toward their goals.
Today, RiverBend’s core focus extends well beyond traditional accounting. We support governance and community development initiatives, capital infrastructure and housing project planning and management, complex and unique accounting problem-solving, and the design of information systems that are simple, practical, and customized to each client’s reality.
How We Work
Relationship-first, capacity-building, and hands-on.
Our approach is rooted in relationships. We take the time to listen, to understand the concerns behind the numbers, and to appreciate the cultural, geographic, and operational realities our clients face.
RiverBend is supported by a growing team of professionals who bring diverse skills, experience, and perspectives to our work. As we continue to expand, we are committed to building a team that values curiosity, collaboration, and practical problem-solving.
Looking ahead, RiverBend is focused on thoughtful growth. We are expanding our team and client base so we can continue to serve clients efficiently while delivering lasting improvements throughout the North. Good work starts with listening and leads to lasting change.
Mission
RiverBend supports organizations through growth and change by providing trusted, practical guidance. We work alongside clients through a people centred, collaborative approach to build strong financial systems, lead complex initiatives and explore emerging technologies where they support the client's own goals and priorities. Through respectful collaboration, professional care and a commitment to dependability, integrity and accuracy, we help organizations build stability and capacity in ways that reflect who they are and the future they are working toward.
Vision
At RiverBend, our vision is to be the go-to collaborative partner that organizations turn to as their needs evolve. We are committed to continuously deepening our expertise across three core areas of specialization: delivering respectful advisory and project management; addressing gaps in financial reporting and organizational information while enhancing clients’ financial capacity; and thoughtfully using modern tools, automation, and emerging technologies to give our clients real-time communication tools and services. By embedding technology in how we work, we create an environment where our team members can grow and thrive, and where our clients feel equipped and confident to shape their futures.
Core Services
Practical support across finance, governance, reporting, and project delivery, tailored to Northern operating realities.
With over 16 years of experience, RiverBend has a strong respect for the challenges faced by community leadership. We work closely with Chief and Council, senior managers, directors, and funders to develop a clear understanding of each community's challenges and priorities.
Our approach is collaborative and practical. We provide customized, flexible, and adaptive support that responds to real-world conditions and changing needs. Rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions, we focus on practical, workable approaches that help strengthen decision-making, management capacity, and long-term stability within communities.
Many organizations struggle to find affordable, long-term finance staff, or they do not need a full-time senior financial officer. RiverBend fills that gap by providing high-level financial management and controllership support on a fractional basis. We bring practical leadership and deep financial experience to strengthen financial operations, support leadership teams, and provide steady direction when senior capacity is missing.
We work alongside in-house staff and bookkeepers to improve consistency, accuracy, and confidence across the finance function. We develop comprehensive budgets, perform variance analysis, design and implement internal controls, and produce clear management reporting to support informed, strategic decision-making. When clients have existing finance staff, we focus on building their capacity through coaching, hands-on support, and skill transfer wherever possible, so the organization becomes more self-sufficient over time.
RiverBend supports First Nation communities and economic development entities in building businesses and partnerships that reflect their rights, priorities, and long-term goals. We develop corporations, limited partnerships, and joint ventures for First Nations, helping design arrangements that are practical, well-governed, and built to last.
We work with leadership, business managers, funders, and industry partners to develop clear plans and strong ownership and operating structures. Our advice is guided by community direction, whether the focus is member employment and training, long-term capital growth, environmental stewardship, or meeting local needs.
Economic development is not only about profit. We help ensure business decisions respect community values, culture, traditions, and spiritual beliefs so growth strengthens the community in a way that is sustainable and aligned with who they are.
RiverBend uses emerging technologies, online software, and practical, consumer-grade programming tools to build management and reporting solutions that improve how organizations access and use their information. Our focus is on creating systems that are clear, reliable, and easy to work with, rather than complex platforms that require specialized technical knowledge to maintain.
We design custom tools that connect financial data, management reports, and key documents in one place, giving leadership teams immediate access to the information they need. These tools are built to support real-time visibility into financial performance, budgets, and operational data, helping management make informed decisions with confidence.
Our approach emphasizes simplicity and usability. We tailor each solution to the organization's structure, capacity, and priorities, ensuring that dashboards, reports, and workflows are intuitive and practical. By reducing manual effort and improving access to accurate information, we help organizations strengthen oversight, improve efficiency, and build long-term management capacity.
RiverBend supports organizations that are behind on audits, reporting, or financial compliance by helping restore order, clarity, and confidence. We specialize in stepping into complex situations where records are incomplete, systems have changed, or internal capacity has been disrupted.
Our work includes rebuilding audit files, completing reconciliations, addressing historical gaps, and coordinating directly with auditors and funders to move files forward. We focus on practical solutions that stabilize the organization while laying the groundwork for stronger systems going forward.
This service is designed to reduce risk, relieve pressure on leadership, and create a clear path from backlog and uncertainty to reliable, sustainable financial management.
Team
Laura Wakewich, CPA
Senior Manager of Accounting Services
Laura leads RiverBend’s accounting services with a focus on strong file oversight, audit and compilation preparation, and reliable reporting for businesses, First Nation clients, and Indigenous organizations.
She supports client teams through day-to-day accounting operations, system changes, and training, helping keep workflows, controls, and reporting accurate, consistent, and easy to maintain as needs evolve.
Professional focus and contributions
Laura leads compilation engagements and complex audit file preparation, building practical working papers and processes that improve accuracy, efficiency, and audit readiness.
She oversees accounting system conversions and stabilization, guiding organizations as they move between platforms while protecting continuity and confidence in the financial information.
Work and experience
Laura’s responsibilities include:
- Leading oversight of client accounting files and financial reporting quality
- Managing accounting system conversions, stabilization work, and process improvements
- Training client staff and supporting adoption of consistent workflows and controls
- Preparing compilation engagements and supporting complex audit file preparation
- Coordinating with client teams, auditors, and internal staff to resolve issues and maintain deadlines
- Supporting Indigenous economic development entities by building and maintaining accounting systems that meet evolving organizational needs
She is valued for her steady leadership, clear communication, and strong commitment to accuracy and dependable follow-through.
Education and professional background
Laura graduated from Carleton University in 2016 and achieved her CPA designation in 2021.
Personal interests
Outside of work, Laura is a dedicated Ottawa Senators fan and can usually be counted on to catch the games and follow the season closely. She also takes pride in baking at a professional level, trying new techniques and turning out polished, bakery-quality results that she enjoys sharing with others.
Jon Schiffer, CPA, CMA
Founder and Executive Consultant
Jon founded RiverBend Accounting & Management Services and works closely with leadership teams to strengthen governance, financial oversight, and practical management systems.
He tackles complex, high-stakes challenges with creative, customized, and adaptive solutions that turn financial and operational issues into clear, workable plans. He also advocates for communities for fair, reasonable, and sufficient resources to meet community needs.
Professional focus and contributions
Jon specializes in management consulting, governance support, and accounting systems development, helping organizations build practical frameworks for reporting and better decisions.
His work includes policies and internal controls, budgeting and forecasting, audit readiness, and supporting high-value equity financing initiatives.
Work and experience
Jon's responsibilities include:
- Executive-level consulting on governance, finance, and operations
- Providing Finance Manager and controllership services
- Developing financial policies, procedures, and internal control frameworks
- Designing management reporting structures and decision-support tools
- Leading organizational capacity-building initiatives
He is valued for translating complex issues into practical, actionable solutions.
Education and professional background
Jon graduated from Lakehead University in 2021 and achieved his designation in 2005. He maintains active professional development in governance, strategic planning, financial management, and emerging technologies.
His background includes public accounting, consulting services, and management roles in the forestry and trucking industries.
Personal interests
In his peronal time, Jon manages the forest on his rural property with a focus on long-term stewardship, and enjoys fishing and exploring new bodies of water while working toward catching the big one.
Wendy Koehler
Senior Manager of Advisory Services and Project Management
Wendy leads First Nation advisory and project management work at RiverBend, supporting communities as they plan, deliver, and sustain important initiatives.
She helps leadership teams bring structure to challenging work, build practical operating frameworks, and deliver projects even when resources are scarce. Wendy builds strong relationships and a wide network to connect the right people and supports, and she pushes for continued development and increased resources so clients can meet their goals over the long term.
Professional focus and contributions
Wendy specializes in advisory services, project management, and capacity-building. She works with leadership teams to design and implement management systems and operational improvements that are clear, realistic, and sustainable.
Her approach is practical and structured, with strong attention to outcomes, timelines, and real-world constraints.
Work and experience
Wendy's responsibilities include:
- Leading First Nation advisory and project management engagements
- Supporting leadership teams with governance, oversight, strategic planning, and organizational development
- Developing project plans, timelines, and resource strategies to deliver work in resource-constrained environments
- Assisting communities in negotiating government funding, understanding program requirements, and reporting
She is known for staying organized, keeping projects moving, and for her unwavering commitment to the betterment of her clients.
Education and professional background
Wendy is working toward her PMP designation and continues to build her skillset and knowledge base through professional development and reading.
She has extensive experience with how governments and industry conduct consultation and engagement processes across the North, informed by her time as an Indigenous Outreach Liaison in the mining sector.
Personal interests
Outside of work, Wendy enjoys exploring her creative side through artwork, which she often shares as thoughtful gifts. She is also an active member of her community and is always willing to lend a helping hand.
Laura Wakewich, CPA
Senior Manager of Accounting Services
Laura leads RiverBend’s accounting services with a focus on strong file oversight, audit and compilation preparation, and reliable reporting for businesses, First Nation clients, and Indigenous organizations.
She supports client teams through day-to-day accounting operations, system changes, and training, helping keep workflows, controls, and reporting accurate, consistent, and easy to maintain as needs evolve.
Professional focus and contributions
Laura leads compilation engagements and complex audit file preparation, building practical working papers and processes that improve accuracy, efficiency, and audit readiness.
She oversees accounting system conversions and stabilization, guiding organizations as they move between platforms while protecting continuity and confidence in the financial information.
Work and experience
Laura’s responsibilities include:
- Leading oversight of client accounting files and financial reporting quality
- Managing accounting system conversions, stabilization work, and process improvements
- Training client staff and supporting adoption of consistent workflows and controls
- Preparing compilation engagements and supporting complex audit file preparation
- Coordinating with client teams, auditors, and internal staff to resolve issues and maintain deadlines
- Supporting Indigenous economic development entities by building and maintaining accounting systems that meet evolving organizational needs
She is valued for her steady leadership, clear communication, and strong commitment to accuracy and dependable follow-through.
Education and professional background
Laura graduated from Carleton University in 2016 and achieved her CPA designation in 2021.
Personal interests
Outside of work, Laura is a dedicated Ottawa Senators fan and can usually be counted on to catch the games and follow the season closely. She also takes pride in baking at a professional level, trying new techniques and turning out polished, bakery-quality results that she enjoys sharing with others.
Jon Schiffer, CPA, CMA
Founder and Executive Consultant
Jon founded RiverBend Accounting & Management Services and works closely with leadership teams to strengthen governance, financial oversight, and practical management systems.
He tackles complex, high-stakes challenges with creative, customized, and adaptive solutions that turn financial and operational issues into clear, workable plans. He also advocates for communities for fair, reasonable, and sufficient resources to meet community needs.
Professional focus and contributions
Jon specializes in management consulting, governance support, and accounting systems development, helping organizations build practical frameworks for reporting and better decisions.
His work includes policies and internal controls, budgeting and forecasting, audit readiness, and supporting high-value equity financing initiatives.
Work and experience
Jon's responsibilities include:
- Executive-level consulting on governance, finance, and operations
- Providing Finance Manager and controllership services
- Developing financial policies, procedures, and internal control frameworks
- Designing management reporting structures and decision-support tools
- Leading organizational capacity-building initiatives
He is valued for translating complex issues into practical, actionable solutions.
Education and professional background
Jon graduated from Lakehead University in 2021 and achieved his designation in 2005. He maintains active professional development in governance, strategic planning, financial management, and emerging technologies.
His background includes public accounting, consulting services, and management roles in the forestry and trucking industries.
Personal interests
In his peronal time, Jon manages the forest on his rural property with a focus on long-term stewardship, and enjoys fishing and exploring new bodies of water while working toward catching the big one.
Contact Us
Get in touch with our team. We're here to help with all your accounting, management and project needs.
Get In Touch
Address
400-1186 Roland St.
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5M4
Phone
807-935-7952
info@riverbendcorp.ca
