Public Sector Accounting and Budgeting

Course Introduction

This leading edge Public Sector Accounting and Budgeting training course is designed to provide a comprehensive briefing on the fundamental principles and key functions in the continuously developing sphere of public sector finance. Non-financial public sector employees and managers are regularly required to both provide input to the budget process and respond to information presented in departmental financial reports.

This training course will provide a useful practical introduction for the non-financial manager as well as an invaluable refresher and update for finance professional working in the public sector. The training course also incorporates a vital update on International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) standards as well as recent developments in the field of New Public Management, specifically focusing on the reasons for and approaches to New Public Financial Management.

This Oxford Management Centre training course will highlight:

• The context for public sector financial decision-making
• The distinctive characteristics of public sector financial statements
• Analyzing and interpreting public sector financial reports
• The objectives and methodology of public sector budgeting
• Capital investment appraisal and outsourcing decisions
• Public Private Partnerships (PPP) and Private Finance Initiatives (PFI)
• Public sector management reforms

Objectives

The training course has been designed to provide you with up to date knowledge and practical skills in the preparation and interpretation of public sector financial statements and budgets.

By the end of this Public Sector Accounting and Budgeting training course you will have learned to:

• Understand the role of financial accounting in public sector management
• Prepare accounts in accordance with IPSASB framework
• Analyse and interpret public sector financial reports
• Use forecasting techniques to plan for income and expenses
• Understand and actively participate in the budget process
• Understand apply capital investment appraisal methods

Training Methodology

The training course will be structured as a highly participative workshop with formal presentations, case studies and interactive worked examples. Relevant examples and case studies are provided to illustrate the application of each of the topics covered and opportunities are provided to learn and apply the key financial accounting and budgeting principles using practical examples and exercises.

Organisational Impact

The organization will benefit from the development and practical application of skills in financial accounting and budgeting in compliance with the requirements of the IPSASB framework. This will deliver benefits in raised awareness of key financial principles and improved decision-making.

The organization will specifically benefit from:

• Up to date knowledge of the requirements under the IPSASB framework
• Raised level of awareness of key public sector finance issues
• Development of up to date accounting and budgeting techniques
• Practical skills in capital investment appraisal methods
• Awareness of developments in New Public Management

Personal Impact

Participants will benefit from updated knowledge and applied practical skills in financial accounting and budgeting in the context of public sector organizations. These skills will allow delegates to make a greater contribution to the budgeting and financial decision-making processes in their organization, at the same time enhancing their own career development potential. Specific benefits from the Oxford Management Centre training course will include:

• Briefing on the Principles of Financial Accounting and Budgeting
• Knowledge of the Key Current IPSASB Accounting Standards
• Development of Advanced Skills in Financial Analysis and Interpretation
• Application of Practical Skills in Forecasting Income and Costs
• Up to Date Knowledge of Public Sector Budgeting Principles and Methods
• Raised Awareness of Recent Developments in Public Sector Management

Who Should Attend?

This training course would be relevant to all of those involved in the preparation, presentation and interpretation of corporate financial statements from both the private and public sector where compliance with the IASB and IFRS framework is required; both in commercial businesses, government and not-for-profit organizations.

This Public Sector Accounting and Budgeting training course is suitable to a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit:

• Public Sector Purchasing and Procurement Managers
• Departmental Budget Holders
• Financial Accounting Team Members
• Finance Managers
• Planning Managers
• Public Sector Budget Accountants
• Assistants to Ministry and Departmental Officials

Course Outline

Day 1

Fundamentals of Public Sector Finance

Day 2

Financial Reporting in the Public Sector

Day 3

Financial Analysis of Public Sector Accounts

Day 4

Public Sector Budgeting

Day 5

Capital Investment Decision-Making