About the Course

Public Financial Management (PFM) is the cornerstone of effective governance, enabling governments to plan, allocate, spend, and account for public resources responsibly. Within this framework, public sector budgeting plays a critical role in translating policy priorities into tangible results. This advanced course provides a comprehensive understanding of PFM systems, processes, and tools, and equips participants with the knowledge and skills needed to implement efficient, transparent, and accountable financial management and budgeting practices.

Participants will explore international best practices, reform experiences, and practical tools across budgeting, procurement, reporting, revenue forecasting, and performance assessment. The course emphasizes the alignment of budgeting with national priorities, fiscal discipline, and public service delivery outcomes.

Target Participants

This course is intended for public finance officers, budget planners, accountants, procurement officials, internal and external auditors, compliance officers, program managers, and policy advisors working in ministries, tax authorities, public enterprises, donor-funded projects, and non-governmental organizations.

What You Will Learn

By the end of this course the participants will be able to:

• Apply integrated public financial management principles for strategic resource allocation and operational efficiency
• Implement results-oriented and fiscally responsible budgeting systems
• Develop and evaluate budget strategies aligned to national development priorities
• Strengthen procurement and contract management practices
• Improve financial reporting, oversight, and control mechanisms
• Analyze fiscal performance and propose reform strategies for resilient PFM systems

Course Duration

Two weeks

Course Outline

Foundations of Public Financial Management

• Definition, scope, and objectives of PFM
• Core principles: transparency, accountability, efficiency
• Role of PFM in governance and development
• Legal and institutional frameworks

Principles and Systems of Public Sector Budgeting

• Role of budgeting in the PFM cycle
• Budget objectives: fiscal discipline, efficiency, effectiveness
• Types and classification of budgets (line-item, program, performance-based)
• The budget cycle: formulation, approval, execution, evaluation

Strategic Budget Planning and Medium-Term Frameworks

• Fiscal strategy development
• Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF)
• Aligning budgets with national priorities and development plans
• Policy-based budgeting and fiscal ceilings

Budget Preparation Tools and Institutional Roles

• Budget Call Circulars and technical instructions
• Costing techniques and data requirements
• Roles of ministries, departments, and agencies
• Participatory budgeting and citizen involvement

Revenue Forecasting and Resource Mobilization

• Revenue forecasting techniques (trend, econometric)
• Estimating tax and non-tax revenues
• Domestic resource mobilization strategies
• External financing: loans, grants, donor funding

Public Procurement Systems and Processes

• Legal and policy frameworks for procurement
• Procurement planning and budgeting integration
• Procurement methods, thresholds, and compliance
• Tendering and bid evaluation procedures

Contract Management in the Public Sector

• Contract negotiation and formulation
• Contract implementation and monitoring
• Managing variations, risks, and fraud
• Contract close-out and performance audits

Financial Reporting and Internal Controls

• Purpose and structure of financial reports
• IPSAS and national standards
• Periodic reporting requirements
• Internal control systems and compliance mechanisms

Accountability and Oversight Mechanisms

• Roles of internal and external audits
• Oversight institutions: Parliament, Auditor General
• Assurance processes and fiduciary risk management
• Public access to financial information and transparency

Budget Execution Tracking and Financial Oversight

• Expenditure control and fund release processes
• Commitment control and cash flow management
• Treasury Single Account (TSA) and FMIS
• Monitoring deviations and corrective measures

Evaluating Budget Efficiency and Value-for-Money

• Budget performance assessment approaches
• Cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analysis
• Expenditure tracking and benchmarking
• Scenario-based fiscal reviews

Budget Reform and Modernization

• Drivers of PFM reform and modernization
• International benchmarks and reform frameworks
• Country case studies and lessons learned
• Strategies for sustaining reforms

Treasury Operations and FMIS

• Cash management and liquidity forecasting
• Treasury operations and coordination
• Role of Financial Management Information Systems (FMIS)
• Enhancing real-time visibility and control

Training Approach

This course is delivered by our seasoned trainers who have vast experience as expert professionals in their respective fields of practice. The course is taught through a mix of practical activities, presentations, group works and case studies.

Training notes and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.

Certification

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be issued a certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

We can also do this as a tailor-made course to meet organization-wide needs.