RANKIN INLET - A Yellowknife firm is hoping the numbers add up to attracting additional clients in Nunavut.

MacKay LLP Chartered Accountants manager of client services Christine Mann visited Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay this past month.

Manager of client services for Yellowknife's MacKay LLP Chartered Accountants Christine Mann was in Rankin Inlet looking for potential clients this past month. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Mann said the firm is in the process of setting up a satellite office in Cambridge.

She said the company has partnered with Kitikmeot Community Futures, which is providing MacKay with interim office space until it gets up and running in that community.

"We were invited in to take a look around and help people with their business plans and bookkeeping," said Mann.

"Kitikmeot Community Futures has found people are struggling a bit with their bookkeeping and keeping things up to date with the Canada Revenue Agency and their funding providers.

"They don't want to send items out with a lot of their issues because they're afraid of things getting lost.

"We were happy to come in and set up the office, and we'll be there at least one week per month to see if the interest warrants our continued presence."

Having a satellite office in Cambridge puts MacKay in a better position to visit other communities, rather than flying from Yellowknife all the time.

The approach would also allow the company to share its travel cost among everyone it's helping, and not burden each small business needing someone to come in and help it out.

Mann said MacKay is not trying to take away business from existing Nunavut companies, but, rather, to offset or add services to what's already being provided.

She said MacKay used to have an office in Rankin and still has a number of clients in the community.

"We felt we should make an appearance in Rankin to take a look around and see if there's any interest, or need, to have us back.

"Are others providing similar services in Rankin finding there's too much to handle right now, and would they like some additional help?

"Again, we don't want to take away from existing services, we just want to support them."

Mann said Rankin is on the cusp of industry development.

She said if it happens, there would be an explosion of local businesses.

"We would be able to help people with their business plans and proposals as they get up and running.

"We'll also talk to the banks and Community and Government Services to ascertain if there's a need for our presence in a community.

"Cambridge had been asking us to consider this venture for years, and we're now in a position where we're able to provide such services.

"Therefore, we thought we may as well take a look around and see what other opportunities may exist."

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