Strong financial management is inseparable from the operations of effective programs throughout the government. All public managers – particularly managers and employees in the finance office – need sound knowledge and skills in the basics of finance and budgeting. An effective central financial management operation, especially the processes embedded in the budgetary cycle, is absolutely critical to a government's success. Moreover, it provides the framework for establishing and implementing the broader goals and objectives. A strategic and effective financial management process translates these fiscal objectives into yearly and multi-year spending plans and enables the government to implement program plans with full accountability and transparency. 

This training program covers 10 key modules:

• Public Finance Overview and the Need for Fiscal Planning
• Budgeting
• Capital Budgeting
• Revenue Sources and Analyses
• Cash Management and Cash Flow
• Accounting
• Cost Accounting-Activity Based Accounting/Management
• Financial Reporting and Financial Statement Presentation
• Ethics, Management and Leadership
• Other Elements Necessary for an Established Department of Finance

Program Takeaways

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the major elements of public finance, including key areas of budget and finance management for which participants do not have formal responsibilities.  
• Gain an appreciation of how all parts of the finance system interact and contribute to each other.
• Understand how the Central Finance Office can interact more effectively with government departments in order to develop an overall effective fiscal operation.
• Learn to better plan, develop, execute, monitor, measure, account for and report on budget data and agency performance.
• Gain an appreciation of the need for accountability and transparency.
• Develop skills to better understand the operations of departmental program -- not just their budget numbers.
• Understand the need for improved human resource and information technology skills in the Finance Office.
• Appreciate that the role of a Department of Finance has moved from one of "scorekeeper" to "strategic partner”.