October 1, 2024
Julie Mujcin is a Chartered Professional Accountant and student in the Master of Forensic Accounting program at IMI. She was appointed as the Assistant Deputy Minister and Comptroller General in the Department of Finance working for the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) in December 2019. Prior to this, Julie was the Director of Finance and Administration with the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment for the GNWT. Before joining the GNWT, Julie worked in the private sector in various financial roles for almost ten years.
Julie completed her Bachelor of Commerce honours degree at Carleton University with a concentration in International business.
What initially ignited your passion for forensic accounting, and how did it ultimately drive you to pursue a master's degree in the field?
Forensic accounting was intriguing to me because it was a different kind of accounting than I had been traditionally exposed to. Upon reviewing the curriculum, I knew that the skills I would gain through this program would benefit me in my current role by allowing me to apply a new skillset and to see things from a different perspective.
What has your experience been like serving as the Controller General in the Northwest Territories, and are there any unique challenges or situations associated with that particular region?
My experience has been great. I have a wonderful team and we achieve great things together. I think because we are a smaller jurisdiction, I get to immerse myself in many different projects and policy discussions that require out of the box thinking and greater insight into other parts of the government.
Having completed the MFAcc program, what insights have you gained about the evolving nature of fraud, and how do you see emerging technologies or trends influencing the future of fraud detection and prevention?
The MFAcc program built on the foundation I had and provided me with a means to apply this new knowledge and skill set in practical ways. I was excited to learn about the ways technology and data analysis could help analyze more data but in a more efficient manner which will benefit the organization.
What were some of the most valuable lessons and/or memorable experiences from your time at MFAcc?
Some of my favorite memories was from the Capstone in-person time we had together with instructors and the other students. We developed valuable friendships and supported each other to get through the final days and exams of the course. I think that the instructors having come directly from the field provided invaluable insight into what happens in real life rather than something that is theoretical. Instructors were able to provide examples and challenge us to think about how we might have handled a similar situation. I think most of all, by the end of capstone I felt much more ready to face a courtroom as an expert witness after the quality training we had been provided.
What do you do for fun?
I have two amazing children and some of my favorite time is having fun with them, watching them grow and develop. My son loves soccer and we have had some opportunities to travel together, and these trips and experiences have created amazing memories.