Public Budgeting and Financial Management
Program Overview
This course primarily centers on the expenditure aspect of public financial management, emphasizing budgeting, accountability, and the evolving landscape of financial management across various professions within the public sector. Professionals in fields such as medicine, education, law, engineering, and custodial services often encounter decisions related to investments, efficiency, fiscal constraints, and performance enhancement. Even without an accounting background, individuals in these roles must comprehend costs, budgets, financial statements, cash flows, and expenditures.
The course highlights the changing facets of public accountability. It’s no longer adequate to merely display that allocated funds align with governmental intentions; there’s a growing demand for insights into the effectiveness, efficiency, and achievement of allocated purposes.
To adapt to these changes, the management of public finances has undergone transformations. Budgets and accounts now extend beyond cash allocations, encompassing resources like capital, assets, personnel, and materials used in service provision. This progression requires a deeper understanding of relevant concepts for effective administration.
Course Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will:
– Grasp how public budgeting integrates into the macroeconomic framework.
– Apply accountability concepts in producing diverse forms of public service and financial accounts.
– Understand how changes in public management demand distinct forms of public accounting.
– Interpret and differentiate between budgets and national accounts across different jurisdictions.
– Comprehend costs, various measurement methodologies, and their application in budgets.
– Familiarize themselves with national and sub-national budget processes, employing appropriate techniques at varying levels.
– Apply budgetary control methods effectively.
– Utilize financial management strategies to enhance public organizational performance.
– Recognize the intersection of public financial management with political spheres and choices.
Course Modules:
The course curriculum is divided into the following modules:
– The Context of Financial Management
– Budget Coverage, Classification, and Structure
– Costs and Cost Measurement
– Accounting and Budgeting at the National Level
– Accounting and Budgeting at the Sub-National Level
– Budget Execution
– Financial Management and Performance
– Budgeting and Democracy: Concluding Insights
Target Audience:
This course is beneficial for middle management cadres, ranging from senior officers to chief financial officers, and directorate cadre, including assistant directors, deputy directors, and directors involved in non-financial roles requiring an understanding of public financial management.
