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  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers

    Andrew Graham School of Policy Studies, Queenss University Kingston, Canada

    November 2011

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers

    Acknowledgement

    PublicSectorFinancialManagementforManagershasbeenproducedfortheCanadianGovernanceSupportOfficewith

    fundingfromtheCanadianInternationalDevelopmentAgency,GovernmentofCanada,asageneralguideforfinancial

    managementforlinemanagersintheAfghanistanpublicservice.

    ItcanbefreelyreproducedbyanyAfghanMinistry,GovernmentDepartmentorAgency.

    PleaseacknowledgetheGovernmentofCanadainanyreproductions.

    Usebyinternationalorganizationsrequirestheexpress

    permissionofCANADEM.

    CANADEM 2011

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers

    Table of Contents

    Section1:TheNatureofPublicSectorFinancialManagement......................................................1

    KeyPoints....................................................................................................................................1

    Question1:WhatisthePublicsector?.......................................................................................2

    5KeyFeatures:................................................................................................................................2

    Question2:WhatisFinancialManagement?.............................................................................3

    8KeyFeatures:................................................................................................................................3

    Section2:CornerstoneOne:AllocatingResourcesBudgets.......................................................5

    KeyPoints....................................................................................................................................5

    TheBudgetCycle.........................................................................................................................5

    BudgetMethodologies................................................................................................................6

    OrganizingBudgetInformation.......................................................................................................6

    ProgramBudgetoftheOttawaGeneralHospitalforFiscalYear2005...........................................8

    TraditionalBudgetingversusPerformanceBudgeting..................................................................10

    Section3:UnderstandingtheBudgetaryProcess.........................................................................11

    KeyPoints..................................................................................................................................11

    BudgetsandPlanningCycles.....................................................................................................11

    ElementsofanEffectiveBudgetCycle..................................................................................12

    StrategicPlanningPhase.......................................................................................................12

    CostAnalysisPhase...................................................................................................................13

    TheRoleofRevenueinCostAnalysis...................................................................................13

    HowtoDetermineCosts.......................................................................................................13

    FixedandVariableCosts........................................................................................................14

    GettingApprovaltoSpend:TheAppropriationProcess...........................................................14

    CentralAgencyversusProgramOrganizations.....................................................................15

    TheNewVersustheOld........................................................................................................15

    ComplexityversusClarity......................................................................................................15

    OnBudgetVersusOffBudget................................................................................................15

    Conclusion.................................................................................................................................16

    Section4:Budgeting:CapitalPlanning..........................................................................................17

    KeyPoints..................................................................................................................................17

    CapitalBudgets..........................................................................................................................17

    CharacteristicsofCapitalAssets............................................................................................17

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers

    ToolsofCapitalPlanningandBudgeting...................................................................................18

    CapitalImprovementPlans...................................................................................................18

    TimeValueofMoney................................................................................................................20

    PresentValueandFutureValue............................................................................................20

    NetPresentValue..................................................................................................................22

    RiskAssessment........................................................................................................................22

    ExamplesofRiskCategoriesinAssessingCapitalAssetRisks.......................................................22

    Conclusion.................................................................................................................................23

    Section5:CornerstoneTwo:MonitoringMoneyManagerialControl......................................25

    KeyPoints..................................................................................................................................25

    WhatisManagementControl?.................................................................................................25

    ManagementControlFramework.........................................................................................25

    RiskandRiskManagement...................................................................................................26

    UnderstandingandDefiningtheRisks.............................................................................27

    ControlProceduresandPolicies............................................................................................28

    WhoandWhentoControl...............................................................................................28

    WhoistheController?.....................................................................................................29

    TrustandEthicsinControl....................................................................................................29

    Trust..................................................................................................................................29

    Ethics................................................................................................................................29

    ValuesandEthicsApproaches..........................................................................................30

    ControllershipCapacityChecklist..............................................................................................31

    StrategicLeadership.........................................................................................................31

    ClearAccountability.........................................................................................................32

    SharedValues&Ethics.....................................................................................................32

    MatureRiskManagement................................................................................................32

    IntegratedPerformanceInformation...............................................................................32

    MotivatedPeople.............................................................................................................32

    RigorousStewardship.......................................................................................................33

    Section6:CashManagement:InYearControl.............................................................................35

    KeyPoints..................................................................................................................................35

    ObjectivesofEffectiveCashManagement,MonitoringandControl.......................................35

    EstablishingaCashManagementSystem.............................................................................36

    InyearBudgetDesignFactors..........................................................................................37

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers

    EstimatingWorkFlows.....................................................................................................37

    UseofHistoricalData.......................................................................................................38

    MonitoringFinancialPerformanceandVarianceAnalysis....................................................38

    SettingupaMonitoringTimetable..................................................................................39

    Governance......................................................................................................................39

    PerformanceReports.......................................................................................................39

    EastbrookCorrectionalFacility,Eastbrook,NovaScotia..............................................................39

    Staffing:PlanversusActual...........................................................................................................40

    VarianceReports..............................................................................................................40

    ForecastedversusActualReport......................................................................................40

    AnalysisofKeyVariancesReport.....................................................................................40

    HistoricalInformation......................................................................................................41

    HistoricalStaffingPatterns:CustodialOnly:YearAverage...........................................................41

    ReallocationandReadjustment............................................................................................42

    TheAuthoritytoReallocate.............................................................................................42

    FreeingUptheFunds.......................................................................................................42

    Conclusion.................................................................................................................................43

    Section7:CornerstoneThree:ReportingOnHowMoneyIsSpentAccounting.......................44

    KeyPoints..................................................................................................................................44

    AccountingPrinciples................................................................................................................44

    1.TheEntityPrinciple.......................................................................................................44

    2.MoneyasaMeasure/theCostPrinciple.....................................................................45

    3.TheGoingConcernPrinciple........................................................................................45

    4.TheConservatismandCostConcept............................................................................45

    5.TheMatchingPrinciple.................................................................................................46

    6.TheConsistencyPrinciple.............................................................................................46

    7.TheMaterialityPrinciple..............................................................................................46

    8.TheDualityPrinciple.....................................................................................................46

    9.TheAccrualPrinciple....................................................................................................47

    TheQualityofInformation....................................................................................................47

    TheOutputsofAccounting....................................................................................................48

    TheAccountingCycle.......................................................................................................48

    DoubleEntryBookkeepingandtheFundamentalAccountingEquation......................................48

    DebitsandCredits.........................................................................................................................49

    ExamplesofDebitsandCreditsTransactions...............................................................................49

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers

    Wherearetheseactivitiesactuallyrecorded?..............................................................................50

    KeyDefinitionsofTermsUsedInFinancialStatements................................................................50

    AnExampleofDepreciation..........................................................................................................52

    Equity/NetAssets/FundBalance...................................................................................................53

    TheBalanceSheet.........................................................................................................................53

    TheIncomeStatement..................................................................................................................54

    ByObject:salaries,benefits,rentals,costofservices...................................................................54

    IncomeStatementOrganizedbyObject(PlusYeartoYearComparison)....................................54

    TheStatementofCashFlows...........................................................................................54

    Conclusion.................................................................................................................................55

    Section8:AccrualAccounting:ProvidingaFullerStory................................................................56

    KeyPoints..................................................................................................................................56

    WhydoweneedAccrualAccounting?......................................................................................56

    CashBasisAccounting:AnOverview.....................................................................................57

    AnotherExampleofCashAccounting...........................................................................................57

    ExampleofCashAccounting.........................................................................................................57

    AccrualBasisAccounting:AnOverview................................................................................57

    ExampleofAccrualAccounting.............................................................................................58

    TheDifferencebetweenCashandAccrualAccounting........................................................58

    CashVersusAccrualTreatmentofAssetAcquisitionandUse......................................................59

    ImplicationsoftheAccrualAccounting.................................................................................59

    AnExampleofaWeekintheLifeofOneGovernment................................................................60

    FinancialReportsoftheGovernment...........................................................................................61

    TheProsandConsofCashandAccrualAccountingandBudgeting.....................................62

    ConclusionsandOverview........................................................................................................64

    Section9:AccountabilityandReporting.......................................................................................65

    KeyPoints..................................................................................................................................65

    WhatisAccountability?.............................................................................................................65

    TheRelationshipofAccountabilityandFinancialManagement...........................................66

    TheUsersofFinancialandPerformanceReports.....................................................................67

    TheObjectivesofFinancialandPerformanceReporting..........................................................68

    TheRoleofAuditintheAccountabilityProcess.......................................................................69

    InternalAuditFunctions...................................................................................................69

    LegislativeAuditors..........................................................................................................70

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers

    Independence...................................................................................................................70

    ReportingtotheLegislature.............................................................................................70

    ThirdPartyAccountabilityandtheBurdenofOversight.................................................71

    Conclusion.................................................................................................................................73

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  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 2

    identifysomeofthecomponentsofthesethreebroadstagesbyaskingthequestions:WhatisthePublicsector,andwhatisFinancialManagement?Question 1: What is the Public sector?

    Summary:ThePublicsectorneedstoworkwithinspecificfinancialboundarieswhiletryingtosolveproblemsaffectingthecitizensitrepresentsandserves.5KeyFeatures1:i)ThePublicsectorisbroad.Itencompassesallorganizationsthatreceivetheirfundingfrompublicsourcessuchastaxes,feesorlicences.Therefore,itwillembracenotjustgovernmentdepartments,butalsogovernmententerprises.ii)ThePublicsectorhasmultiplegoals.Ratherthanhavingasinglebottomline,thepublicsectorhasseveral,whicharebeingpursuedatonce.iii)ThePublicsectorusesvarioustoolstoreachitgoals.Thereareaseriesofinstrumentsusedtoachievethegoalsofgovernment2.iv)ThePublicsectoroftenusesthePrivateSectortodeliverPublicGoods.Moderngovernmentsfrequentlyusecontractswithprivatecorporationsasameansofacquiringneededexpertise,outsourcingwork,orextendingtheirworkforceswhileseemingtocontainthegrowthofthepublicservice.

    Thiscontractedworkdoesnotmeanthattheregularpublicserviceisrelievedofitsaccountabilityforpublicfunds.Governmentsdevoteconsiderableenergytoadministeringcontracts,especiallyduringaperiodofincreasedscrutinybythepublicandbythecontractingcommunityinparticular.v)ThePublicsectorisademocraticinstitution.Governmentsownnoneoftheresourcestheyspend.Taxpayersdo.Inademocraticsociety,thewaysinwhichgovernmentsspendresourcesmustbetransparentandreadilyopentoquestioning.AccountingforPublicsectorfundsandtheirproperexpenditureisnotonlypartofgoodmanagement,itisessentialtogoodgovernmentandgoodgovernanceofthepublicenterprise.Itisalsowheregovernmentsaremostheavilyscrutinizedandwheretheycangetintoagreatdealoftrouble.Suchscrutinyisoneofthebasisofagovernmentslegitimacy.

    1CICAPublicsectorAccountingHandbook,RevisedUpdateNo.18,SectionPS1100,AppendixA2Salamon,LesterA,RethinkingPublicManagement:ThirdPartyGovernmentandtheToolsofGovernmentAction,PublicPolicy29,no.1(Summer,1981)andSalamon,LesterAandMichaelS.Lund,TheToolsApproach:BasicAnalysitcsinBeyondPrivatization;TheToolsofGovernmentActioneditedbyLesterASalamon,..2350,Washington,UrbanInstitutePress,1989

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 3

    Question 2: What is Financial Management? Summary:FinancialManagementhelpstoprovidekeyinformationtodecisionmakersanditintroducescontrolsthateitherpreventabuseorcreateincentivesforgoodservicetothepublic.FinancialManagementhelpsthePublicsectorcollectmoney,allocatemoney,spendmoney,weighthecostsandbenefitsofcertainprograms,accountformoney,reportonhowmoneywasspent,andplanforthelongterm.8KeyFeatures:i)FinancialManagementinvolvesthecollectionofmoney.ThePublicsectormakesmostofitsmoneythroughtaxation,transfers,fees,thesaleofgoods.

    ii)FinancialManagementinvolvesallocatingresources.TheincomeofthePublicsectorisnottiedtoanyonespecificgoal.Rather,PublicsectorfundsareconsolidatedintoaConsolidatedRevenueFund(CRF)andsubjectedtoademocraticdecisionmakingprocessthatdistributesthemacrossarangeofactivities.Thisisknownasthebudgetaryprocess.Thereareexceptionstothisruleinwhichspecifictaxesorfeesaredirectedtospecificprograms.ABudgettellsthepublichowthegovernmentintendstospenditsmoney.Thebudgetaryprocessisaplanningtoolandatoolofregulationandcontrol.Agovernmentbudgetsetsalegallimitforexpenditures.Italsocreatesthelegalauthorizationfordelegatedofficialstospendfund.ABudgetisalsothetoolbywhichthegovernmentsfinancialperformanceisjudged.Managersareheldtoaccountfortheirperformancerelativetothebudget.iii)FinancialManagementinvolvesspendingmoney.Delegatedofficialsareexpectedtospendpublicfundsforthepurposesforwhichtheywereallocated.Therefore,financialmanagementinvolveshavingcontrolsinplacetomonitorexpenditures.iv)FinancialManagementinvolvesoversightwatchingthemoney.Thegovernmentmustfrequentlyandsystematicallymonitorandreportontheflowofmoney.Thisensuresactualfinancialactivitymatchesplannedfinancialactivity.Financialrolesandresponsibilitiesaswellasfinancialreportingtimelines,areoutlinedinlawtoensurespecificindividualsarelinkedtothesuccessorfailureofaparticularstageinthefinancialprocess.Informationsystemssupporttheserolesbymakingpublicservantsawareoftheirlevelofprogress.Legislationcreatingpublicorganizationscanbeverybroadwithrespecttotheamountoflegislativecontrolthatisexertedastheorganizationgoesaboutitsdaytodaybusiness.Legislaturesseldomengageintheactualmanagementofpublicorganizations.Rather,theyserveotherkeyroles:creatingtheorganization,settingoutthepoliciesthattheywillcarryout,providingthefundingtocarryoutthepolicies,holdingthe

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 4

    organizationtoaccounteitherdirectlyorthroughexternalauditorsappointedbyandresponsibletothelegislatures.

    v)FinancialManagementinvolvesaccountingformoneycollectedandmoneyspent.ThePublicsectormustassurethepublicthatitsmoneyisbeingspentwell.Thismeanstheyneedtoask:

    Ismoneybeingspentforanappropriateuseforthepublicgood?

    Arefundsbeingallocatedforthestatedpurpose?

    Arefundsbeingspentaccordingtotherulesthatapply?

    Didthefundsachievetheintendedresults?

    Canthefundsbetracedandidentified?

    Canothersassessthefinancialinformationoftheorganizationexternalrevieworaudit?

    Essentially,pastfinancialbehaviormustbereconciled,audited,andreviewedinrelationtothebudgettogivethelegislatureandpublictheassurancesthatfundswerespentfortheirintendedpurpose.Thepublicaccountsandtheassociatedfinancialstatementsarethemaindocumentsusedbygovernmenttoshowfinancialactivity.

    vi)FinancialManagementinvolvestakingcareofassets.Publicsectororganizationsbuildoracquirecapitalassets.Theyowncapitalassets,whichcanbeconsiderable,inordertodeliverservicesandthepublicgoodobjectivesthattheywanttoachieve.Consequently,thePublicsectorhasconsiderablemaintenancerequirementsandoperationalcosts.Financialmanagersmustensurethatassetsareproperlypurchasedandsustainable.

    vii)FinancialManagementdoesrequiredueregardforprocess,recordkeepingandreporting.Therecanbeatensionbetweentheobjectivesofthepublicservicetoquicklyservetheneedsofcitizensandeffectivefinancialmanagement,seeingitasinhibitingeffectiveclientservicethroughexcessivecontrols,inadequatefundingorapreoccupationwithpaperwork.Nonetheless,theserequirementsremainessentialforpropercontrolandaccountabilityaswellaspublicconfidenceinthegovernmentsfinancialprudenceandhonesty.

    viii)FinancialManagementisEverybodysBusiness:Oftenpublicservantsdonotseethemselvesasmanagersofresources,butratheraspolicymanagersofhighlyspecializedfunctions.BecauseofthecomplexityofthePublicsector,thefinancefunctionwillhaveitsownseniormanagerswhoareoftenseparatefromlineoroperatingmanagers.Tensionsoftenensuebetweenthesetwocultures.Thesearenormaland,whenwellmanaged,healthyandnecessary.

    Inreality,allmanagersarefinancialmanagers.Theabilitiestoobtainresourcestoachieveprogramobjectives(budgeting),maximizeprogrambenefitswithinthebudget(allocation),effectivelymanagethebudgettoachievefullbenefit(cashmanagement),anddemonstrateresultsandprocessadherence(accountability),areimportantmanagementskillsforallgovernmentemployees.

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 5

    Section2:CornerstoneOne:AllocatingResourcesBudgets

    Key Points

    Abudget isa time limitedplan thatputs resources inplace to implement thegoalsofanorganization.

    Forthepublicsector,abudgetisalegallyauthorizedannualmonetizedplanthatestablishesspendinglimitsforthevariousprogramsthatcomeoutoflegislation,policy,andorganizationalintent.Abudget,therefore,doestwothings:

    1)Ittranslatespolicyintentionintospecificactivitiesthroughresourceallocation.

    2)Itisalsothebasisforfinancialcontrolwithinthepublicsectororganizationinthatitarticulatesexpectationsofrevenueandexpenditures.Assuch,itisausefulbenchmarktocontroltheoperationsofgovernmentdepartmentsandagencies.

    Typically,aGovernmentwillhaveanorganizationwidebudget.

    Thisdocumentwillthengetdividedintopartsinordertoformdepartmentbudgets.And then those department budgetswill be further divided in order to producebranchbudgetsofvarioussorts.

    Inthissection,wewillexplorethevarioustypesofbudgetsusedinthepublicsector.The Budget Cycle Thereare threebudgets inplayatall times forpublic sectormanagers:past,presentandfuture.The manager has an immediate concern for the management of funds within thecurrentfiscalyear.Thisistherealmoftheuseandcontroloffunds,cashmanagement,andprogrammanagement.However, the manger also has to continuously participate as part of the planningprocesstosecurefundsforcomingyears.Thisistheexpenditureplanningprocess,thepolicy planning cycle or the strategic exercises of the organization. This is fordevelopmentofthefuturebudget.Finally, themanagermust account for past use of funds. This is based on the pastbudgetandthewayitwasspent.

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 6

    Importantly,thisthirdbudgetlifethepastiscriticalsincesomuchofthebudgetingprocess is incremental in nature, as changes aremade in small increments based onprior years levels of resources, e.g. an increase of 2% per annumwith no change inprogram fund distribution. Many organizations make the majority of their budgetdecisionsbasedonpastperformanceandallotments.Howmuchwasactuallyused inthepastisanimportantfactor.Budget Methodologies Core Elements: There are three coreelements to abudget: revenue,operations andcapital.Thesearedescribedbriefly.RevenueBudgets:Forthemostpart,governmentsmanagetheirrevenuestrategiesatthewholeofgovernmentlevel,imposingtaxesandfees.Theythendistributemoneytodepartments through the budgetary and appropriations process. Individualmanagershave littletodowiththispartofthebudgetprocess,unlesstheyworkontherevenuesideofgovernment.OperatingBudgets:Operating budgets describe the programs and resources used tocarrythemoutwithinaspecifiedperiodoftime.Theoperatingbudgetcontainstheplanforrevenuesandexpendituresfortheperiod,usuallyreferredtoasafiscalyear.In governmental terms, the expenditure plan represents the authorized limit ofexpenditures for the operating unit.Most operating budget provide funds for suchelements as staff, benefits, supplies and operating expenses as well as grants anddisbursements.CapitalBudgets:Capitalbudgetscontaintheplansandresourceallocations forcapitalacquisitions..Theyreceivedifferenttreatmentthanoperatingfundsbecausetheiruseisoftenamorecomplexand longertermpropositionthantheoneyearoperatingfunds.Theyofteninvolvecomplexplanningprocesseswithconsiderablefinancialriskandcashoutlay.Landandbuildingsarewellknowncapitalgoods. Increasingly, information technologyinfrastructure is a part of the capital budgets. Determiningwhat is andwhat is nottreatedasacapitalitemisamatterofpolicywithinpublicsectororganizations.OrganizingBudgetInformationBudgetsvaryconsiderably incomplexity.Thiswilldependuponthepurpose forwhichtheywerecreatedandhowtheywillbeused.Inseekingthebestwaytodisplaybudget

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 7

    information, there are three main approaches, each with useful intent as well aslimitations:

    Lineitembudgets, Programbudgets, Functionalbudgetswhichcombinetheformertwo,and Performancebudgeting.

    Mostgovernmentpracticeallthreeforms,usingthemtomeetthevariousgoalsofabudget.Forinstance,asimplelineitembudget,describedbelow,willmeettheneedsofamanagertounderstandwhatresourcesshehasandforwhatkindofpurpose,e.g.,staff,supplies,etc.Aprogrambudgetwilllinksuchinformationtotheprogramswithinaparticularunit.Afunctionalbudget,averycommontool,combinesthelineandprogrambudget.Aperformancebudgetwilllinkthemoneyallocatedtospecificanticitipatedperformanceoutcomes,e.g.,pavingsomanykilometersofroadsforsomuchmoney.Eachisusefulinitsownturn.LineItemBudgets:Thelineitembudgetisoneoftheeasiesttoprepareandoneofthemostusefulintermsofcontrolofbudgetswithinaspendingperiod.The financial information is organized according to the types of expenses or costcategories.Thesegenerallyfocusonstaff,supplies,rentals,andcontracts,allofwhichcanbecharacterizedascostsofoperations.AsimplelineitembudgetfortheOttawaGeneralHospital,focusingonexpensesonly,isshownhere.Themainorientationofalineitembudgetisexpenditurecontrolandaccountability.Thisbudgetwillinformthemanagerorstakeholderswhatisbeingspentonwhatitemofexpenditure.Theseareknownasinputsinthattheyidentifythecategoriesofresources,e.g.stafforsupplies,neededtodothework.Sinceitusescommonobjectsorobjectscodes,italsopermitsinterbudgetcostcomparisonsbetweenprogramsor

    Line-Item Budget of the Ottawa General Hospital for Fiscal Year 2005

    Object Budget 100. Salaries $8,000,000 200. Supplies 2,000,000 300. Rentals 250,000 400 .Professional Fees 750,000 Total $11,000,000

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 8

    organizationswithsimilarfunctions.Agoodexample,ifallhospitalsusedthesameobjectcodesorlineitems,isthatitwouldenableaninterestedobservertodetermineiftheOttawaHospitalhadahigherstaffcosttooverallbudgetratiothananothersimilarhospital.ProgramBudgets:Programbudgetsarebudgetswhichareorganizedfordisplaypurposesaccordingtoprogramtypes.Itshowshowresourcesareallocatedtoeachparticularprogram.Thistypeofbudgetassignsresourcestotheoperatingunit,zone,areaorspecializedprogramwithinwhichitisbeingspent.

    ProgramBudgetoftheOttawaGeneralHospitalforFiscalYear2005 Unit Budget

    1.OperatingRoom $4,000,0002.Laboratory 1,000,0003.Radiology 1,000,0004.PatientCare 2,500,0005.OutpatientCare 1,500,0006.Administration 1,000,000Total $11,000,000

    FunctionalBudgets:Afunctionalbudgetisabudgetthatcombinesthelineitembudgetwiththeunitbudgettoprovideamorecompletepictureoftheresourcedistributionwithinanorganization.Thisisoftentheformatthatisusedforexternalreportinginformation.Ithasthebenefitofallowingabetterbasisforcomparisonamongunits.Forinstance,oneareamayhavehighsalarycosts,e.g.operatingroomwhileanother,e.g.,administration,maybelower.Thatmayreflectthelabourintensityoftheworkorthesizeoftheunitaswellasthecostoftheprofessionalandsupportstaffineachunit.Thefunctionalbudgetdeliversabetterunderstandingofwhatfundsaretobespentfor.Itcombinesinformationaboutinputsandunitsorprogramsthatarebeingfunded.BelowisadisplayofthefunctionalbudgetofOttawaGeneralHospital.

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 9

    FunctionalBudgetoftheOttawaGeneralHospitalforFiscalYear2005

    Unit 100.Salaries 200.Supplies 300.Rentals 400.ProfessionalFees

    Total

    1.OperatingRoom

    3,250,000 250,000 50,000 450,000 4,000,000

    2.Laboratory

    550,000 350,000 25,000 75,000 1,000,000

    3.Radiology

    450,000 450,000 0 100,000 1,000,000

    4.PatientCare 2,000,000 400,000 0 100,000 2,500,0005.OutpatientCare

    1,200,000 175,000 25,000 100,000 1,500,000

    6.Administration

    475,000 325,000 50,000 100,000 1,000,000

    Total

    7,925,00 2,000,000 150,000 925,000 11,000,00

    PerformanceBudgets:Performancebudgetsareintendedtolinkresourcestotheresultsdesiredfromaprogram.Whilealineitembudgetisfocusedentirelyoninputsandazerobasedbudgetgoesbacktobasicsandreinventsitselfeachyear,theperformancebudgethascertainfeaturesthatmoveitmoreintotherealmofpublicsectoraccountabilitywithagreateremphasisonoutcomesandresults:

    1. thereismeasurementofthegoodsandservicetobedelivered,2. unitcostsaredeveloped,3. budgetfiguresaredevelopedbasedonthelevelofserviceasdeterminedby

    multiplyingtheunitcostandlevelofservice,4. expectedoutputsarereportedwithinthebudget.

    Theperformancebudgetisdesignedtoprovideaclearerpictureofwhatlevelofserviceistobeprovidedforhowmuchmoneyandwithwhatresults.AnexampleofthiswouldbetoaddadditionalinformationtotheOttawaHospitalbudgetdocumentsthatoutlinesomeofthefollowingoutcomes:

    a. numberandtypesofoperations,b. waitingtimesforoperationsc. costperoperationsd. overheadcostsasapercentageofoverallbudgete. changesinservicelevels.

    Theperformancebudgetisagoodsteptowardscostingofservices,identifyingclearlyservicelevelsofcurrentresourcesandhelpingdecisionmakersmakeabetterlinkbetweenthosetwowhendeterminingfutureresourcing.

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 10

    TraditionalBudgetingversusPerformanceBudgeting

    TraditionalBudgeting PerformanceBudgetingBudgetOrientation MoneyControl Linkingmoneytoprogram

    andactivitiesAppropriationControlLevel

    Department Program

    BasicBudgetingUnit Object,objectcodeorlineitem

    Activity

    EfficiencyMeasurement None Unitcost,volumesResultMeasurement(Effectiveness/Quality)

    None Programlevels,activitylevels

    BudgetPeriod

    Oneyear Ongoingyearoveryear

    Someofthekeyelementsofperformancebasedbudgetsare:

    1. servicesaredefinedandmeasurescreatedforthem,2. disaggregatingofservicespermitsindividualcostingandthedevelopmentof

    workloadmeasurements3. servicestandardsaredeveloped,4. thereisastandardizedcostingmethodology,5. unlikeotherbudgetformats,therewillbeaconsiderableamountofnarrativeto

    explainservicelevels,how6. theyarecostedandhowcostsaredistributed,7. someformofbenchmarkingisinvolved:thisprovidescomparativedataofcosts

    andworkloadlevelsinsimilarcircumstance,e.g.comparingthecostofgarbagecollectionfromonetowntoanother.

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 11

    Section3:UnderstandingtheBudgetaryProcess

    Key Points

    Agoodbudgetprocessisfarmorethanthepreparationofalegaldocumentthatappropriatesfunds.

    Goodbudgetingisabroadlydefinedprocessthathaspolitical,managerial,planning,communication,andfinancialdimensions.

    Agoodbudgetprocessischaracterizedbyseveralessentialfeatures.Agoodbudgetprocess:

    Incorporatesamediumtermperspective Establisheslinkagestobroadorganizationalgoals Focusesbudgetdecisionsonresultsandoutcomes Involvesandpromoteseffectivecommunicationwithstakeholders Provideincentivestogovernmentmanagementandemployees

    Thesekeycharacteristicsofgoodbudgetingmakeclearthatthebudgetprocessisnotsimplyanexerciseinbalancingrevenuesandexpendituresoneyearatatime,butisstrategicinnature,encompassingamultiyearfinancialandoperatingplanthatallocatesresourcesonthebasisofidentifiedgoals.Budgets and Planning Cycles

    Arrivingatthefinalbudgetwillentailsomemeasureofforecasting,analysisofoptions,settinginplaceplansoverthelongtermandfinallyassigningresourcelevels.Thisisthebudgetcycle.Understandinghowitworksisessentialforapublicsectormanager.

    Budget cycles tend tobeportrayed in calendar form.Below isa typicalpublic sectorbudgetcycles.

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    Missioncomprehensivestatementexpressingthepurposeoftheorganization.

    Visionstatementoftheendresultspursuedbytheorganization.

    GuidingPrinciplesphilosophythatsteerstheorganizationindeliveringservicesandaccomplishingitsmission.

    SituationAnalysisdescriptionofkeyinternalandexternaltrendsthatarelikelytohaveanimpactontheagencyoverthetimeperiodoftheplan.

    Goalsstatementsthatdescribetheagencysdestination,direction,and intentfortheperiodoftheplan.

    Objectivesinitiativesthatimplementthegoals.

    PerformanceMeasuresandTargetsprecisemilestonesforeachobjectivethatwillhelp theorganizationwillevaluateprogress toward theobjectivesand thegoalsthatitsupports.

    Linkage of General Goals to Annual Performance Plan description of therelationship between annual goals in the performance plan andthe generalmultiyeargoalsandobjectivesinthestrategicplan.

    ResourcesNeeded descriptionof thehuman, capital, information,andotherresources and the operational processes, skills, and technology needed toachieve theagencygoals;highlightingwhere significant change from currentlyavailableresourceswillbeneeded.Note:this isnotthebudget forthecomingyear, but a resource discussion that will certainly affect budget decisions infutureyears.

    ProgramEvaluationsdescriptionofhowtheresultsofprogramsorpolicywillbeevaluated.

    Cost-Analysis Phase TheRoleofRevenueinCostAnalysis

    Managers have to make predictions about anticipated revenues because withoutunderstandingwhat resourceswill be available to government, it becomes extremelydifficulttodecidewhatprojectsshouldbeallocatedresources.Usinghistoricaltrenddataisaneasilyavailableanduseful tool forpredicting revenue.Onceaprediction ismade,attentioncouldthenbemadeaboutcostsandthespendingprioritiesofgovernment.HowtoDetermineCosts

    One way of examining costs is to divide them into two basic categories: Direct andIndirect.

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 14

    Directcostsarecosts incurredwithintheorganizationalunit forwhichthemanagerhasresponsibility, and costs of resources used for direct provision of goods or services oractivitiesthatrelatetothecoremissionoftheorganization.3IndirectcostsorOverheadare:costsassignedtoanorganizationalunitfromelsewhereintheorganizatione.g. informationtechnologysupport,andcostswithinaunitthatarenotincurredfordirectprovisionofgoodsorservices,i.e.corebusinessormissioncentral,butarenonethelessneededtoprovidethoseservices,e.g.logisticalsupport,informationtechnology,physicalplant,financialservices.4Often organizations fail to fully take into account all the costs of service delivery. Theobjectiveofsoundbudgetingpractice,however,istoarriveatafullunderstandingofthetotalcostofproviding themissioncriticalservicesof theorganizations.Therefore,bothindirectanddirectcostsneedtobeincludedinanybudget.

    FixedandVariableCosts

    Anotheressential toolof costing is theuseof fixedandvariable costs.Thisanalysis isimportant for it enables themanager to determine how costswill reactwhen certainvariablesare changed. It canestablish cost sensitivity, i.e. thepointatwhich costs caneitherbereducedor increasedwithchanges inactivity.Establishinganunderstandingofcost sensitivitieswill enable themanager to better understand the impact of programchanges.Fixed costs are those costs thatdonot change in total as the volumeof serviceunitschangesoverarelevantrangeofactivity.5Variablecostsarecoststhatvarydirectlywithchangesinthevolumeofserviceunitsoverarelevantrangeofactivity.6Getting Approval to Spend: The Appropriation Process Asthebudgetprocesssuchasdescribedabovebecomesmoreinstitutionalizeditengagesmore players and eventually produces a formal budget submitted to the authorizingauthority. In general, thiswillmean that the final stage of the budgetary processwillprovidelegislativeapprovaloftheplannedexpenditures.Thepurposeofthisauthorityistoobtainspecificapprovaltospendmoney.Suchauthorizationiscalledanappropriation.Appropriations create theauthorization for spending theamount in thebudget. In thiswaythebudgetmovesfrombeingasubmissionforfunds,thenaplan,thenabudgettobecomingthelegalinstrumentofthegovernment,whichbothpermitstheexpenditureoffundsandrestrictsthatflowtothelevelssubmittedforapproval.

    3 Finkler, p. 97 4 Finkler, op.cit. 5 Finkler, p. 99 6 Finkler, op.cit. p. 99

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 15

    CentralAgencyversusProgramOrganizations

    Typically, during the budgetary cycle, the overall planning and legislative process issupportedbycentralagenciessuchastheMinistryofFinance.Centralagenciesprovideawholeofgovernmentassessmentofthesupplyofrevenueaswellasthetolerablescopeforprogramexpansion.Theyensurethatdebt isavoidedby lookingatthebigpictureofprogramspending.Centralagenciesusetheanalyticaltoolsmentionedabovetoprovideadetailed assessment of the costs of government programs and then providerecommendationstothelegislature.Thereisaninherenttensionbetweenthedesiresofprogramdepartmentsofgovernmentto spend to meet all their program needs and aspirations and the desire of centralagencies to control the demands towhat is both realisticwithin government revenueprojectionsanddesirablewithinthegovernmentsoverallpriorities.Suchtensionmeansthatprogrammanagerswillhavetoworkeffectivelywithcentralagencies iftheyaretobesuccessfuldefendersoftheirprogramfundsorproponentsofnewfunding.

    TheNewVersustheOld

    Perhaps one of the greatest sources of tension within budgetary systems and thebudgetary approval process is the desire by governments to extract funds from onespendingcentreandmove ittoanother.Whilethisgoesbymanynames, it isgenerallyknownasreallocationofexisting funds.This isoftenamatterof fundingnewprogramswithexistingfunds.Governments will be continually looking for ways to improve efficiency of currentoperationstoreducecosts.Theywillalsobelookingforprogramsthatnolongerserveanimportantpublicpurpose.

    ComplexityversusClarity

    Budgetsaremadeupofastreamofdecisions,somewhatinvolvespendingandsomethatinvolvelimitingspending.Veryfewdecisionsarealikeandavarietyofpolitical,socialandeconomicfactorscomeintoplayintheircreation.Formanypublicsectororganizations,inorder to achieve the objective of public involvement and transparency, the budgetprocesscanbea longone, involvingmanydifferent forums, inorder toarriveata finalproduct.

    OnBudgetVersusOffBudget

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 16

    A challenge formany countries is getting a true picture of government expenditures.Oftengovernmentswillseektominimizethescopeofpublicexpendituresbytakingsomeexpenditure items offbudget. This can be done for legitimate policy and accountingreasons.For instance, ifapublicsectorprogram isselffunding,suchasonethatobtainsallof its revenues fromservice fees, itcanbesaid tooperateoffbudgetas itdoesnottakeupanyappropriated funds from thebudget.Often suchentitiesestablish financialreporting statements seperate from the overall government financial statements. Thisservesonegoodofclarity.However,itisalsocontendedthatremovingitfromthegeneralgovernmentbooksdistortsthedegreeofpublicsectorspending.Thisdebateisuniversal.Oneelementofconcern,however,iswhenoffbudgetentitiesarecreatedtodeliberatelymask or distort either government revenues, e.g. development grants from externalsourcesorremoveeffectivelegislativeoversightofthispartofthepublicsector.Conclusion Theprocessofformulatingandgettingapprovalforabudget,atanylevelandinanykindofpublicsectororganization, isan integralpartofhow thatorganizationcarriesout itsmission. It can be complex or simple, depending on the nature of the organization.However,somecommonelementsforpublicsectororganizationsemerge:

    Budgetsbringtogetherneedsandcapacity,oftenfromdifferentpartsof

    theorganizations,whetheritistaxcapacityandprogramdemandsorclientneedsandfundraisingcapacityoftheorganization.

    Budgetsdemandatechnicalcommandofthekeyelementsofneedsmeasurement,effectivecostingofprogram,revenueprojections.

    Budgetsinthepublicsectorarelegaldocumentsthatdefineexpendituresauthoritiesandlimitittothoselevelsonceapprovedbytheauthorizinglegislature.

    Budgetmakingtakesplaceinanorganizationalculture,richinnuance,withpowerplayingasmucharoleofgoodpolicymaking.

    Budgetsareinherentlytransparentinthepublicsector,bothintermsofhowtheyareformedandinhowtheyareexecuted.

    Budgetsareboththeresultofplanningbasedonpastexperienceandtheexistingpolicyormissionframeworkoftheorganizationandfutureorientations.

    Budgetsinthepublicsectoraresubjecttointensescrutinynotonlybythosewhowillmanagethem,butalsothosewhowillbenefitfromorbesubjecttothem.

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 17

    Section4:Budgeting:CapitalPlanningKey Points

    Capitalassetsareexpensive,havea long life,can lock inanorganization intermsofalternativeoremergingtechnology.

    Thetotalcostofacapitalassetovertimemayincludesizeableoperatingexpenses. Itsacquisitioncandistortoperationalplanningifthisisnotadequatelyconsidered

    attheplanningphase. Capitalrequiressomespecialtreatmentbothfromthebudgetingandaccounting

    perspective.Capital Budgets Acapitalbudgetisaplanfortheacquisitionofbuildingsandequipmentthatwillbeusedbytheorganizationinoneormoreyearsbeyondtheyearofacquisition.Adistinctionthathasalreadybeendrawnbetweenoperatingandcapitalbudgetsisthatoftime.Operatingbudgetsareappropriatedandreporteduponforasinglefiscalyear.Generally,theoperatingassetsareapprovedandusedupwiththeyear.Thecapitalbudget,whileitinvolvesactualcashdisbursementswithinthecourseofafiscalyear,moreofteninvolvesaflowofcashoveranumberofyearstocreateanasset,whichhasalifelongerthanoneyearataminimum.Therefore,boththeinvestmentflowandtheassetreturnextendoveraconsiderableperiodoftime.Havingcapitalprojectsdependentonyeartoyearapprovalsrestrictsthecapacityoftheorganizationtocommittothefullcostoftheproject.Approvingthefirstphaseofamajorconstructioninvestmentandthenreviewingitentirelywhilenotapprovingthenextphasecanleadtoaseriesofcomplicationsfromwasteofpublicfundstoareluctancetoengageinthehighriskventureinthefirstplace.Finally,itisoftenthecasethatcapitalprojectsinvolvelongtermdebtfortheorganization.Thechallengeoflongtermfinancinginvolvesagoodunderstandingofthetruecostsoftheinvestment.CharacteristicsofCapitalAssets

    Fromanaccountingpointofview,somethingisacapitalassetwhenitmeetsfourcriteria:

    thattheyareusedintheproductionorsupplyofgoodsandservices(productivitycriterion),

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 18

    thattheirlifeextendsbeyondafiscalyear(longevitycriterion) thattheyarenotintendedforresaleintheordinarycourseofoperations that the monetized value of the asset is sufficiently high (materiality

    principle)

    Tools of Capital Planning and Budgeting

    Effectivecapitalbudgetingbeginswithanunderstandingoftwoelements:

    o CapitalImprovementsthecapitalrequirementsoftheorganization,bothnowandinthefuture

    o Maintenanceunderstandingoftherequirementstomaintainpresentcapitalassetsinausefulstate.

    Governmentsstruggleonbothcounts,becauseoftheconcernforthecostsinvolvedandbecausetheyhavenotalwayssufficientlyseencapitalassetsasbeingsubjecttodeteriorationandinneedofrenewal.Aswell,intheabsenceoflifecycleanalysisandtheapplicationoftruecostingtoolssuchasTimeValueofMoneyandReturnonInvestmentAnalysis,capitalexpendituresareusuallyseenasanannualexpenditureandnotaninvestmentflow.

    HerearesometoolsofgoodCapitalPlanning

    CapitalImprovementPlans

    ACapitalImprovementPlanhasamultiyearperspective.Itcanberenewedandupdatedratherthanrecreatedeachyear.Inthisway,majorcapitalinvestmentdepreciationisnotforgottenandmaintenanceissuesremainonthetable.Itisveryeasy,especiallyinapoliticalenvironment,toforgetpipesunderthegroundortheexistingbuildingsinanefforttofocusonmoreimmediatecrisesorthedesiretocreatenewcapitalprojects.Anexampleofacriticalareainthisregardistheneedtoupgraderoadsonaregularbasis.Itmaynotbethemostpoliticallyexcitingthing,butitisnecessary.Anditcostsmoney.

    SomeofthestepstobefollowinginthecreationofaCapitalImprovementPlanare:

    o StrategicRelevance:Astatementthatlinkstheorganizationsgoalsandobjectivestoitspresentandfuturecapitalneeds

    o AnalysisofFactorsAffectingtheOrganizationsCapitalAssetBase:Somefactorstotakeintoaccountinthatregardare:

    o Demographics:Bothcurrentandfutureindicators,suchaspopulationchangesbyagecohort;impactsofbirths,deaths,immigrationandemigration;andissuesspecifictoprogramareas.

    o Programchanges:Theseincludenewinitiatives,programterminationsorchangesinprogramparameters.

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 19

    o Technologicalchanges:Technologicalimperativesareessentialconsiderationstoday,especiallyasbusinessprocessesbecomemorewebbased.

    o Economicorbusinesschanges:Theseincludecurrentandprojectedfinancialormarkettrendsandopportunitiesandemergingtrendsinthewaybusinessisconducted.Anexampleistheemergenceofserviceprovidersasalternativeservicedeliverersofpublicservices.

    o Legislation:Factorstoconsiderhereincludeanynewstatutoryrequirementsaffectingtheorganizationoritsserviceplan.

    o Environmentalfactors:Theseincludetheimpactofanypotentialchangestoenvironmentalstandards.

    o InventoryandConditionAnalysis:Acomprehensiveassetinventory,includinganassessmentofthephysicalcondition,functionality(i.e.abilitytosupportcurrentprogramdelivery)andutilization(capacity)ofitscapitalstock.Thisshouldbeupdatedonanannualbasis.Thefollowinginformationshouldbepartofthisanalysis:

    o Baselineinformation:Informationonassetssuchasland,buildings,buildingsystemsandequipment,trackingsuchfactorsas:

    i. ownershipstatusii. locationandzoningiii. structuraltypesiv. size(landareaifapplicable,squarefootage,vehiclecapacity,etc.)v. ageandhistory(e.g.rehabilitation,repairs,maintenanceactivity,

    additions,renovations)vi. valuevii. currentuse,viii. estimatedservicelife;andix. anyothersignificantissuessuchasenvironmentalliabilities.

    o Physicalconditionandriskfactors:Anassessmentorratingofthephysicalconditionoftheinventory,includingmaintenancerequirements,seismicvulnerability,asbestos,etc.

    o Functionality:Anassessmentofhoweffectivelyeachassetmeetsexistingprogramorserviceneeds;functionalityissometimesmeasuredasthedifferencebetweencurrentoperatingcostsandtheprojectedcostofoperatinga"stateoftheart"facility.

    o PurposeorUseoftheAsset:Anassessmentofhoweachassetisbeingused;thisissometimesmeasuredbycomparingforecastservicedemandagainstanassetscurrentcapacity

    o Maintenance Needs: Maintenance requirements must be identified in capitalplans. Plans should also explain the methodologies used to develop the

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 20

    maintenanceforecasts(e.g.measurementtools,standardsandformulasbasedonassetvalueorsquarefootage).

    o EstimatesofRequiredResources:Estimatesofcapitalassetrelatedneedsshouldbeaggregatedintoidentifiablecategories.Theoverallcapitalcosts,whenoutlinedthoroughly, can be staggering for public sector organizations. Very seldom dorevenueexpectationsmatch thestraightlineanticipatedcapitalcosts.Usuallyatthispoint,variousprioritysettingprocessescomeintoplay.

    o DevelopmentofStrategiesandAlternatives:TheCapitalImprovementPlan(CIP)itself does not provide decisions about capital expenditures. Rather, it is thebackground againstwhich the public sector organizationwill set priorities.Oneimportantservice itcanprovide istoofferalternativestrategies fordealingwithcapital pressures. For instance, the CIP could also identify alternative deliveryforms such as publicprivate partnerships that would, in essence, transfer thecapital costs of a new building to the private sector builder while imposing adownstreamoperatingcostforgovernment intheformofguaranteedrentalandpaymentofdebtcostsbacktothesupplier.

    Time Value of Money

    Becausecapitalprojectsarecostlyandofteninvolvemajorgovernmentinvestments,thecostoftheprojecthastobesetintothetimeframewithinwhichgovernmentswillincurthecosts.Atthispoint,someformoftimevalueofmoneyanalysiswillhavetobeappliedbeforefinalspendingdecisionscanbemade.

    Thesimplestexplanationoftimevalueofmoneyisthatadollartodayisworthmorethana dollar tomorrow or at any time in the future. Partially, this difference in value isattributabletotheearningandcompoundingofinterestforadollarinvestedtoday.Thisis also attributable to opportunity cost, meaning that money spent now addressespresentneedswhilemoneydeferredmissestheopportunitytodoso.

    Anotherfactorthatrelatestothetimevalueofmoneyisrisk.Riskinthisinstancereferstopossible lossofvalueof the fundsavailable throughanunsuccessful investment inacapitalproject.Thedollar inhandtodayhasnorisk. It isfirmlywithinthecontroloftheorganizationand itcandisposeof it,save itor invest itas itsees fit.Thepromiseofadollartomorrowcarriessomeriskthatyouwon'tgetitoryouwon'tgetitwhenyouhavebeenpromisedyouwillgetit.

    Taking all theseelements into account, time valueofmoney considerationsencouragemangers to calculate themonetizedbenefitsofa capital investmentand thendiscountthosebenefitsinawaythatreflectsthedecliningvalueofadollarofbenefitoccurringinthefutureratherthantoday.

    PresentValueandFutureValue

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 21

    Applyingtechniquesofinterestcompoundinganddiscounting,itispossibletodetermineeitherthepresentvalue(PV)orfuturevalue(FV)ofacapital investment,usingasimpleformula thatapplies interestand time to theamounts thatareeitheravailablenow forinvestmentincapitalorthepresentvalueofafuturepayment.Thevariablesusedinbothcalculationsare:

    PV=PresentValue

    FV=FutureValue

    i=InterestRatePerPeriod

    n=NumberofCompoundingPeriods

    PresentValue is an amount today that is equivalent to a future payment, or series ofpayments, thathasbeendiscountedby an appropriate interest rate. Sincemoneyhastimevalue,thepresentvalueofapromised futureamountisworth less the longeryouhave towait toreceive it.Thedifferencebetween the twodependson thenumberofcompoundingperiodsinvolvedandtheinterest(discount)rate.

    Therelationshipbetweenthepresentvalueandfuturevaluecanbeexpressedasshown:

    Relationship between Future Value and Present Value

    PV = FV [ 1 / (1 + i)n ]

    Example: You want to buy an emergency generator for the Fire Department that will only become useful 5 years from now for $150,000. Assuming a 6% interest rate compounded annually, how much should you invest today to yield $150,000 in 5 years?

    FV = 150,000 i =.06 n = 5

    PV = 150,000 [ 1 / (1 + .06)5 ] = 150,000 (1 / 1.3382255776) = 112,088.73

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 22

    NetPresentValue

    NetPresentValue (NPV) isameanstocalculatewhetherthepublicsectororganizationwillbebetterorworseoff if itmakeacapital investment. Itdoessobycalculating thepresentvalueofinflowsminusthepresentvalueofoutflows.

    NPV=PVInflowsPVOutflowsRisk Assessment It iscriticaltounderstandandassesstherisk involved ineach initiative.Risksshouldbeidentifiedattheearlieststageofplanningastheymayimpactfinancingandprocurementoptions. Once risks have been identified, they must be analyzed and evaluated todetermine the likelihood, consequences and level of risk. Finally, a riskmanagementand/ormitigationstrategymustbeputinplace.Risksshouldalsobereviewedandupdatedastheinitiativemovesforward.Thetablebelowprovidesexamplesoftheriskcategoriesthatshouldbeconsideredwhenplanning andmanaging infrastructure expenditures. It also provides examples of howthesetypesofrisksmaybetreatedtoreducethelikelihoodorconsequencesofpotentiallosses.ExamplesofRiskCategoriesinAssessingCapitalAssetRisks7RiskCategory

    DescriptionandTreatment

    GeneralRisks Examples includehighlevelconcerns related to thedecision toundertakeaninitiative.Risk treatmentmay includedocumentinghowan initiative fitswithestablished strategic objectives; assessing the requirements for a newcorporate structure; enhancing the initiatives profilewith the public,mediaandgovernments;andworkingcollaborativelytoenhancelabourandindustrialrelations.

    PolicyRisks Examples include the likelihood that an initiative represents, or may beaffected by, a major shift in government or agency policy, or change inlegislation.

    PublicInterestRisks Examplesincludetheinitiativesenvironmentalimpactanditsrelationtopublichealth, safety and security issues. Risk treatmentmay includeworkingwithneighbours and the community to address public concerns in the initiativeplanningphase.

    ManagementorOrganizationalRisks

    Examples include the complexities associatedwithpartnerships, investmentsand management. Risk treatment may include managing dependencies onlinkedfundingandcontingentinvestments;ensuringtheavailabilityofqualifiedinitiativemanagers;andensuringtheinitiativedevelopmentteamhasaccesstoappropriateexpertisewhenundertakinganewtypeofinitiative.

    7 BC Capital Asset Management Framework

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 23

    Design/Construction,Commissioning,PartnershiporSupplierRisks

    Examplesincludesponsorrisk(e.g.,thelikelihoodthataprivatepartnermaybeunable todeliver) and general supplier/market capacity.Risk treatmentmayincludeensuringtheavailabilityofmaterialandequipmentsupplies;ensuringthatexperienceddesigners,contractorsandtradespeopleareavailable intherequired time frame; anticipating the need for community permits andapprovals;anddesigningconstructionwindowstoavoiddelaysduetoadverseweather.

    PoliticalRisks Often unspoken, but certainly real are many political risks associated withcapitalprojects.Examplesofsomeare:

    short tenure of a government that may mean the project is reevaluatedorchangedbyanewgovernment,

    local opposition to a project that leads to considerable politicalcontroversyandreversalongroundsofcommunityconcerns

    failuretoadequatelyconsultortakeintoaccountvariousstakeholderinterests

    SiteRisks Examplesincludetherisksassociatedwithsiteselectionandacquisition.

    Risktreatmentmayincludeensuringthatthesiteisavailableatanaffordableprice;evaluatingsitechallengessuchassoilcontaminationorpotentialflooding;andensuringthedesiredsiteisfreeofpotentiallandclaimissues.

    FinancingRisk Examplesincludeanentitysabilitytodrawtherequiredfinancialresourcesandtheoverallfinancialviabilityoftheinitiative.Risktreatmentmayincludeensuringthatfinancingisavailableattheappropriatetime;anticipatingtheimpactofinterestrateincreases;andevaluatingthecreditworthinessofpotentialpartners.

    Cost,EconomicorMarketRisks

    Examplesincludeallpossibleeventsthatcouldaffectcashflowduringinitiativedevelopment.Risktreatmentmayincludeplanningforcontingenciesinthemarketsuchasadropindemandforservices;anticipatingthepotentialforlabourormaterialcostescalations;ensuringfundingisavailabletocoveroperations,maintenanceandadministration;andassessingthepotentialforcompetingfacilities.

    OwnershipandOperationsRisk

    Examplesincludelabour relations,maintenance,andtechnicalandassetobsolescencerisks.Risktreatmentmayincludetakingstepstokeepmaintenanceinlinewithforecastlevelsandtakingappropriatemeasurestoaddressthelikelihoodofabandonment.

    OtherRisks Risksthatcouldbesubstantiveandrequireresolutionand/ormanagementpriortocommitmenttotheexpenditure,orduringdelivery,includinguncontrollableforcemajeureriskssuchasweatherandglobaluncertainty.Risktreatmentmayincludedevelopingcontingencyplanstoavoidorreduceconstructiondelaysduetoemergenciesordisaster;andensuringthatbusinesscontinuityplansaddressawiderangeofpotentialevents.

    Conclusion Theconceptualtoolsandplanningprocessessuggestedhereisanimportantpartoforganizationalfinancialmanagementwherevercapitalplaysanimportantroleincarryingoutthatorganizationsmission.Thinkingaboutcapitaloftenchallengesthelinemanagertoescapetheyeartoyearoperatingbudgetorientationandlookattheimplicationsofsuchelementsastheactualcostofaninvestmentincapitalforbothoperatingcostsdowntheroadandfurthercapitalinvestments.

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 24

    Oneoftheothervery importantreasonstohaveaspecialawarenessofcapitalbudgetsandhowcapitalbehavesovertimeisthatofteningovernment,theissueofmaintenanceandreplacementofcapitalgoodsiseasilydeferredwhendifficultbudgetcutshavetobemade. What this has led to in some countries is a serious underinvestment ininfrastructurethatwillnowcostmuchmore,inpresentvalueterms,toreplace.Thishasbeenthevictoryoftheshorttermoverthelongterm.Unseensewersveryseldomattractpoliticalattentionuntiltheybreakdown.

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 25

    Section 5: Cornerstone Two: Monitoring Money Managerial Control

    Key Points Thebudgetisaplan.Onceapproved,ithastobecarriedout.Thedesiredoutcomeofimplementingthebudgetistoachievetheobjectivesoftheprogram,projectorlineofactivityinthemostefficientandeffectivemeansthatarereasonabletothesituationbutwithanequalconcernfortheproperuseofpublicfunds.Inanyenterprise,thisrequiresaseriesofcontrols.Takentogether,theseformafullcontrolframework.Controlbeginsandendswithafocusontheendstobeachievedandhowtomonitorperformance.Forthelinemanager,controlsestablishtheextentoftheirdiscretionandoutlinetherulesbywhichtomakedecisions.Effectivecontrolswillensurethatthereisatimelyunderstandingoftheperformancewithintheorganizationthatwouldpermitadjustmentsinbudgets,behavior,orprogramexpectationstoaccommodateunforeseensituationsandmonitortheimpactofmanagersdecisions.What is Management Control? Managementcontrolsystemsconsistofallorganizationalstructures,processesandsubsystemsdesignedtoelicitbehaviorthatachievesthestrategicobjectivesofanorganizationatthehighestlevelofperformancewiththeleastamountofunintendedconsequencesandrisktotheorganization.8

    Management Control Framework

    Acontrolframeworkisawayofdescribingthearchitectureofcontrolfortheorganization.Acontrolframeworkwithinanorganizationwillinvolvecertainkeyfeatures:

    Establishingtheorganizationsgoalsandobjectives Assigningrolesandresponsibilities. Performancestandardswheretheycanbeestablished.

    8Systems Theory and Management ControlBy:Dr. Shahid Ansari: http://faculty.darden.virginia.edu/ansaris/Systems%20Theory%20and%20MCS-TN.pdf

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 26

    Anunderstandingoftherisksinherentintheprogramandtheenvironmentalinwhichitistakingplace

    Positivemitigationandmonitoringtoolstocontinuallyreassesstherisks Aseriesofcontrolproceduresandpoliciestobothaddresstherisks

    identifiedandtosatisfycertainlegislativeorpolicycreatedrequirementsforadequatecontrol

    Asystemofmonitoringatboththeoperationalandfinancialleveltoensurethattheorganizationfullyunderstandswhatishappeningrelativetoitsgoalsandtheriskenvironment

    Asystemofauditingandevaluation,bothinternalandexternal,thatprovidesassurance,fromanindependentperspective,thatthereisanadequatecontrolframework,thatitisworking(andnotjustpaper)andthattheoutcomes,bothoperationalandfinancial,areastheorganizationclaims.

    Risk and Risk Management

    Inmanyways,actuallyexercisingcontrolmeansanticipatingandmitigatingriskswithintheorganizationorprogram.ControlisaboutRiskManagement.Riskandriskmanagementhavebothanarrowdefinitionassociatedwithfinanciallossandalarger,morecomprehensiveoneassociatedwithorganizationalgoalsandthethreatstoattainingthem.Inthecontextoffinancialmanagement,riskmanagementencompassesboth.Nonetheless,riskcanbroadlybedefinedasfollows:anythreat,event,patternofpastoranticipatedbehaviourorpredictedeventthatcoulddetertheorganizationfromachievingitsgoals.Inapplyingthisdefinitiontopublicsectorfinancialmanagement,thereareclearlysomeconditionsthathavetotakenintoaccount.First,thegoalsofallpublicsectororganizationsaretoperformapublicgoodinthemannerprescribedbylaworpolicyinacosteffectivemanner.Second,itispossibletoreadilyinterpretthisdefinitioninfinancialtermsinanumberofways:

    Thedangerofnotmanagingentrustedfundseffectivelyorlegally, Thedangerofinadequatefundingcombinedwithexaggeratedobjectives, Thedangerofspendingoverbudgetwithouttakingmitigatingmeasures, Thedangeroffraudormisuseoffunds, Thedangerofunforeseencircumstancesthatstrainorthreatenthe

    financialcapacityoftheorganization, Thedangeroflossofconfidencefromthepublic,thelegislature,donorsor

    stakeholdersinthecapacityoftheorganizationtodeliveritsservicesaspromised.

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 27

    Riskmanagement,therefore,istheestablishmentofproceduresandmanagementsystemstoidentify,assess,validate,mitigateandmonitorriskstotheorganizationinsuchawaytoeliminatethem,effectivelyreducetheirimpactorbepreparedtorespondtothem.UnderstandingandDefiningtheRisks

    Akeypartofriskmanagementinvolvestheneedformanagerstomakedecisionsaboutwhatriskstoactonandwhichonesdonotrequireanyactionatthetimeofreview..Notallrisksarethesame.Itisnecessaryfortheorganizationtodecidewhichonesareimportantanddemandingofacertainlevelofmitigationandwhichonesareeithernotasignificantthreat,nottimelyoreasilymitigatediftheydooccur.Anumberofsystemshavebeenestablishedtohelporganizationsdeterminethelevelofriskthattheycanaccept.Suchsystemsarevaluableastheyestablishacommonlanguageandframeworkfororganizationstoeffectivelycometoanunderstandingoftheriskstheyfaceandthemeaningoftheiridentificationofthem.Ensuringthatalllevelsoftheorganizationsusesuchcommontoolsensuresthatmisunderstandingsaboutrisksandthecontrolneedsthatmayflowfromthemarereduced.Belowisastandardgridtoenableorganizationtorankriskontwokeyaxes:impactandlikelihood.Withoutdeterminingwhatthelikelihoodandpotentialimpactofanyidentifiedrisk,thereisnoreasonablewaytodeterminewhattodoabouttherisk.Further,thisisthekeywaytodifferentiaterisksanddeterminewheretoapplyscarcemanagerialresourcesinthemitigationprocess.

    IMPACT POTENTIAL RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIONS

    Significant Considerable management

    required

    Must manage and monitor risks

    Extensive management

    essential

    Moderate Risks may be worth

    accepting with monitoring

    Management effort worthwhile

    Management effort required

    Minor Accept risks

    Accept, but monitor

    risks Manage and monitor risks

    LOW MEDIUM HIGH

    LIKELIHOOD

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 28

    Control Procedures and Policies

    WhoandWhentoControl

    Nowthatwehaveanideaaboutwhereourobjectivesmaybecompromisedthroughariskidentificationprocess,weneeddecidehowtoachievethekindsofcontrolsthatareneeded.Theactofcontrollingfinancialresourcesisanactiveonethatboththemanageroftheprogramandthefinancialexpertshavebeengagedin.Itcannotbelefttofinancetoprovideallthecontroloversight.Itistoocloselytiedtothemanagersresponsibilitiestodeliverthepublicgoodforwhichheorsheisresponsible.Thefirstcontrolquestiontoaskwhencontemplatingthemeansofcontrolis:whotocontrolandwhentodoit.Intermsofwhotocontrol,therearetwochoices:theorganizationasawholeoranindividual.Theindividualmaybeapersonwithintheorganizationwhoismakingadecisiontospendfundsonbehalfoftheorganization.Alternatively,theindividualmaybetherecipientofapublicgoodorentitlement.Inmanycases,whentheorganizationistobethesubjectofcontrol,thecontrolswillentailinformationatanaggregatedlevelofperformance,e.g.quarterlyreportsoncontractsauthorizedandlevels.Ifitisanindividual,itmaybeattheindividualtransactionlevel.Intermsoftimeorwhentocontrol,thealternativesaretoexercisecontroleitherbeforeoraftertheindividualororganizationhasacted.Beforethefact,orexante,controlsinvolvesubjectingadecisionthattheorganizationorindividualisabouttomaketosomelevelofapprovalorreviewinadvance.Asanexample,anorganizationmayrequireapprovalfromitscentralofficebeforepurchasingequipmentoverthevalueof$50,000.Thisapprovalisaformofcontrolandrequiredbecauseofthematerialityofthepurchase.Thisisinspiteofthefactthatpurchaseofthisitemmayhavebeenapprovedaspartofalargerbudgetplan.

    Afterthefact,orexpost,controlinvolvesareviewprocessfordecisionsandexpendituresthathavealreadybeenmade.Insuchcircumstances,theactor,beittheindividualortheorganization,isfullyresponsiblefortheactionthatwastaken,astheyhadtheauthoritytoapproveitandactionwastakenasaresultoftheirauthorization.Forexample,achequemaybeissuedontheauthorityofanindividual,notsubjecttoanyotherreview,excepttoverifythatitistheapprovedofficialwhohasthatauthority.However,someformofcontrol,throughmonitoring,sampling,summarizedreportingorvarianceanalysis,isputinplacetooverseethequalityofdecisionsalreadymadeeitheratanindividual,oraggregatelevel.Thisisthemorecommonformofcontrolexercisedoverfinancialtransactionswithinorganizations.Itismoreefficientintermsofprocessingpayments,etc.italsofocusespriorapprovalsontheriskiertransactions,therebyeffectivelybudgetingseniormanagementandgovernancentime.

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 29

    WhoistheController?

    Thenextquestiontoaskiswhothecontrolleris.Thesimplefactisthatcontroller/controlleerelationshipsexistatmanylevelsandoperateinmanyways.Therefore,whileonemanagermayexercisecontroloveragroupofstaffandsetupprocessesofcontrolsuchasregularperformancereviews,delegationtolimitstodefinediscretion,etc.,thatverymanagerwillalmostcertainlybesubjecttocontrolsbothfromasuperiorandalsofromoversightbodiessuchasexternalauditors.Anotherpointisthattheyareimperfectandoftencloudedbyothermatters,betheyoperational,financialorpolitical.

    Trust and Ethics in Control

    Ifriskmanagementisthefaceofcontrolthewayinwhichcontrolisexpressedthantrustandethicsaretheheartofcontroltheculturalrealitythateithersupportordestroyeventhemostperfectcontrolplan.Fundamentally,allcontrolsarebuiltaroundtwonotions:

    thedegreeoftrustthecontrollerplacesintheorganizationorpersonswithauthorityandresponsibility,and

    theassumptionsaboutethicalbehaviorinthecultureandlegalframeworkoftheorganization.

    Trust

    Trustisacalculationthatismadebytheorganizationaboutitsownpeople,aboutotherorganizationsandotherpeopleaswellasitsleadership.Trustisalsoanimportantelementinbalancingthedesireforfullassurancethroughcontrol(nosurprises,noerrors)withthecostorimprobabilityinachievingit.Intheend,morecontrolsystems,nomatterhowtechnologicallysoundordetailed,dependonthepeoplerunningthemandoperatingwithinthem.Therefore,adegreeoftrustisnecessarilyextendedtooperatorsofthesystemswiththeassumptionthattheirintentionsaresoundandthat,basedontheirtrackrecord,suchtrustisdeserved.Ethics

    Notallcontrolisaboutsystems,procedures,documentationandprocess.Infact,allofthiscontrolcouldbehappeningand,withthewrongvaluesinplay,seriousintrusionsintopubictrustcouldbeaccruing.Thiscouldbeeitherthroughmisappropriationofpublicfunds,usingthemforpurposesnotintendedortheirdiversiontootherpurposesofapersonalnature.Itisaxiomaticthatthepublicsectororganizationsandthepeoplewithinthemhavetoactinanethicalmanner.Therefore,ensuringthattheethicalframeworkoftheorganizationsanditspersonnelissoundisyetanotherformofcontrol,onethatisessentialtothesuccessofallotherefforts.

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 30

    Values and Ethics Approaches

    Political and senior management leadership that promotes ethical conduct

    Clear statements of values and ethics or codes of conduct Approaches to decision making that

    o require consideration of values and ethics o align management policies to support ethical conduct o offer recourses to report ethical concerns

    Clear guidance for interaction between the public and private sectors Assessment of and reporting on effectiveness of values and ethics

    initiatives

    Source: Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Principles for Managing Ethics in the PublicService

    Oneofthemostimportantelementsofestablishingstrongvaluesandethicsisthroughethicalleadershipwithintheorganization.NotethatthisisthefirstitemidentifiedbytheOECDinitsframeworkforethicalpublicsectororganizations,aslistedbelow:TheattributesofethicalleadershipweredocumentedbytheCanadianfederalgovernmentsTaskforonPublicServiceEthics9:

    Createasupportiveworkenvironmentthato valuespeople,treatingthemwithdignity,civilityandfairness;o emphasizesopennessandthesharingofinformation;o promoteshonestandcollegialleadership;o encouragesandsupportsspeakingtruthtopower;ando supportsabalancedfamilyandworklife.

    Makedecisionsthato servethepublicinterest;o respectdemocraticprinciplesandtheruleoflaw;o ensuredueprocess,impartialityandobjectivity;o provideeffectiveservicestocitizens;ando promotetransparency,probityandaccountability.

    9AStrongFoundation:ReportoftheTaskForceonPublicServiceServiceValuesandEthics,JohnC.Tait,Q.C.,Chair,availableathttp://www.myschoolmonecole.gc.ca/Research/publications/html/p91/1_e.html

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    Someofthetoolsthatpublicorganizationscananddousetoensurethattheyhavepromotedethicalbehaviourare:

    establishingcodesofconductorethicstosignaltheimportantvaluesoftheorganization

    supportingsanctionsforethicalmisconduct usingmeritprinciplesinhiringandpromotion awidevarietyoftraininginitiativesonethicsforbothnewemployeesand

    thosealreadyinposition identificationofhighriskpositions(notpersons)whereeitherspecial

    trainingonethicalchallengesorspecialsurveillanceiscalledfor disclosureofanyconflictsofinterestandpoliciestosupportthis,noting

    thatthisbecomesmoreimportantthehighertheleveloftheposition, toolstoreportmisconductofsuperiorsandadequatesafeguardsforthose

    reporting,i.e.confidentialchannelsandwhistleblowerlegislation Ombudsmenpositions ethicalcounselors,trainers,offices theinvolvementofprofessionalassociations,suchasCICA,todevelop

    ethicalguidelinesformembership

    Clearly,controldoesnothappenwithoutadequatevaluesandethicstosupportit.Therefore,addressingethicsaspartofanoverallcontrolstrategymakesgoodsenseandisprobablylesscostlythatmoreregulatorymeasures.

    Controllership Capacity Checklist AccordingtotheTreasuryBoardofCanadatherearesevenkeyareasofcontrollership,allofwhichhavebeendiscussedimplicitlyorexplicitlyabove.ThesevenkeyareasoftheComptrollershipCapacityCheckare:StrategicLeadership

    Leadershipcommitment:Awarenessandcommitmentofdeputyheadandseniormanagementtoestablishingandimplementingamodernmanagementpracticesenvironment

    Managerialcommitment:Awarenessofmanagersoftheirmodernmanagementpracticesresponsibilities,andcommitmenttoimplementingthem

    Seniordepartmentalfunctionalauthorities:Extenttowhichseniordepartmentalfunctionalauthorityandsupportingorganizationareusedforobjectivecommentaryandindependentadvice

    Planning:Strategic,businessandoperationalplanning,andthelinkagesbetweenthemandtoresourceallocation

    ResourceManagement:Mechanismsforrankingprogramoptions,identifyingfundingrequirementsandallocatingresources,andbudgetingandforecasting

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    Managementofpartnerships:Partnershipsareusedextensivelybytheorganizationinsupportofservicedeliverybyleveragingthecapabilitiesofexternalstakeholders,partners,andothergovernmentorganizations

    Clientrelationshipmanagement:Commitmenttoconsciouslystrengtheningrelationshipswithclientorganizations,andtointegratingandcoordinatinghowclientservicesaredevelopedanddelivered

    ClearAccountability

    Clarityofresponsibilitiesandorganization:Clarityofassignmentofresponsibilitiesandaccountabilitiesthroughouttheorganization

    Performanceagreementsandevaluation:Extenttowhichtheachievementoffinancialandoperatingresultsisembeddedinperformanceagreements

    Specialistsupport:Availabilityoftopflightcounseltohelpmanagersmakejudgmentcallsonmodernmanagementandoperationalissues

    Externalreporting:ExtenttowhichParliamentary,centralagencyandkeystakeholderinformationreportingrequirementsaremet

    SharedValues&Ethics

    Valuesandethicsframework:Leadershipofpoliciesandactivitiesthatvisiblysupporttheethicalstewardshipofpublicresourcesandgivepriorityto"modernmanagementpractices"

    MatureRiskManagement

    Integratedriskmanagement:Measuresareinplacetoidentify,assess,understand,acton,andcommunicateriskissuesinacorporateandsystematicfashion

    Integratedmanagementcontrolframework:Appropriatenessofmanagementcontrolsinplace,andlinkagesbetweencontrolsthroughanintegratedcontrolframework

    IntegratedPerformanceInformation

    Integrateddepartmentalperformancereporting:Keymeasuresexisttomonitoroverallorganizationwideperformanceandbestvalueresults

    Operatinginformation:Measuresandsystemstomonitorservicequalityandefficiencyofprogramdelivery

    Measuringclientsatisfaction:Utilizationofclientsurveyinformationonsatisfactionlevels,andimportanceofservices

    Servicestandards:Monitoringagainstclientservicestandardsandmaintainingandupdatingstandards

    Evaluativeinformation:Utilizationofnonfinancialinformationrelatedtoprogrameffectivenessandoutcomes

    Financialinformation:Reliablefinancialinformationisavailableinatimelyandusefulfashion

    Costmanagementinformation:Mechanismsforusingactivity/product/resultsbasedcosts

    MotivatedPeople

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 33

    Modernmanagementpracticescompetencies:Extenttowhichmodernmanagementpracticescompetenciesaredefinedandmanagershaveaccesstotraining

    Employeesatisfaction:Mechanismsinplacetomonitoremployeemoraleandstaffrelations

    Enablingworkenvironment:Practicesforcommunication,wellness,safetyandsupportthatenablestafftoprovideclientfocuseddeliverywhilereachingtheirfullpotential

    SustainableWorkforce:Theenergiesofstaffaremanagedwiselytohelpsustaintheorganization'sviability

    Valuingpeoples'contributions:Extenttowhichtheorganizationalculturefostersstaffparticipation,teambuilding,sharingofideas,risktaking,innovation,andcontinuouslearning;andrewardsorprovidesincentivesforsuchbehaviour

    RigorousStewardship

    Businessprocessimprovement:Extenttowhichprocessesareclearlyunderstood,areconductedinauniformfashion,andarecontinuouslyimprovedinlinewithbestpractices

    Managementtoolsandtechniques:Rangeofanalyticaltechniques(e.g.,costbenefit,sensitivity,lifecycle,benchmarking)availabletomanagers

    Knowledgemanagement:Performance/managementinformationisreadilyaccessibletointernalandexternalusersviatechnology,andlessonslearntaresharedacrosstheorganization

    Accountingpractices:Recordsoffinancialtransactionsarekeptonaconsistentandusefulbasisforpurposesofauditandreporting,andareconsistentwithgenerallyacceptedaccountingpracticesandtheFinancialInformationStrategy(FIS)10

    Managementofassets:Assetsaremanagedandutilizedefficientlybasedonalifecycleapproach,recordsofassetsaremaintained,andassetsareaccountedforonanaccrualbasisaccordingtoGAAP/FIS.

    10InexplainingwhattheFISis,thefederalgovernmentofCanada,statesthefollowing:FISisagovernmentwideinitiativedesignedtoenhancedecisionmakingandaccountabilityacrossgovernment,andimproveorganizationalperformancethroughthestrategicuseoffinancialandnonfinancialperformanceinformation.ThethreekeycomponentsofFISare:

    Systemstheintroductionofnewmodernintegratedinformationsystems;Policiestheadoptionoffullaccrualaccountingsimilartowhatispractisedinthe private sector; Peopleaculturalchangefocussedonenhancedanalysisanduseofinformation.

    Accountingisonlythestartingpoint.ThegreatergoalofFISistobringaboutalltheattendantchangesinsystems,policiesandpeople.Ultimately,FISaimsatnothinglessthanchangingthecultureofresourcemanagementintheGovernmentofCanada.http://www.tbssct.gc.ca/fin/sigs/fissif/faq/faqfissif_e.asp#whatis

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 34

    Internalaudit:Stronginternalauditprogramisinplace,andauditresultsareacriticalinputtomanagementdecisionmaking

    Externalaudit:Processforensuringadequateattentiontoresultsandrecommendationsofexternalauditsofdepartmentoperations

  • Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 35

    Section 6: Cash Management: In-Year Control Key Points Inadditionto,exanteandexpostcontroltools,therearealsotoolsofcontrolwithinthecurrentyearmanagementofresources.Thisisrealtimecontrol,whentheissuescanbequitevisceralforanorganization.Willtherebeenoughcashtopaythestaffattheendofthemonth?Areweareontargetforourbudgetprojections?Howdowefindresourcesforthisunexpectedemergency?Wherecanwefindfundstomeetsomeshorttermdemandsthatarewellwithinourmandateandauthority,butthatwehavenotallocatedfundsfor?Whatwillwedowiththisunexpectedsurplusduetoadropinprogramlevelsthatwehadnotexpected?Manyoftheanswerstothesequestionsarecontainedinaprocessknownascashmanagement.Someofthekeystogoodcashmanagementare:

    effectivecashflowprojectionsandforecastinginordertoassesstheorganizationperformanceagainstplanandbudget,

    reportstotheappropriateauthoritiestoalerttochanges,confirmthatthebudgetwillbespentaccordingtoplans,releasesurplusfundingforreallocationandmonitormanagerialperformancetomakeadjustmentsintheshortterm

    governanceprocedurestoensurethetimelyreviewoffinancialandperformanceinformationandtomakedecisionstoadjustprograms,reassessbudgetsorfindalternativestrategiessuchasincreasingcashavailableorreallocatingfundsnotneeded..

    Inessence,cashmanagementembracesabroadrangeofcontrolpracticesassociatedwiththemonitoringoffinancialperformancewithinthecurrentfiscalyear(inyear)toassurethatadjustmentscanbeandaremadetoaccommodatechangesinrelationtotheplanandbudget.Objectives of Effective Cash Management, Monitoring and Control Theobjectivesofcreatingasystemfororganizationalcashmanagementare:

    Tohavefundstopaythebills,i.e.,sufficientliquidity Tousebudgetedresourcesfortheirprogrampurposesandnotleave

    neededfundsunspent Tokeepwithintheappropriatedorauthorizedbudget Tohavetheorganizationalandresourcecapacitytoreacttochangesin

    plan

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    Toreallocateavailablefundstomeetemerging,shorttermpriorities.

    Establishing a Cash Management System

    Oncethereisabasicunderstandingofcashinflow,youcannowmoveontodevelopingcashmanagementsystem.Beyondsimplyfocusingonsourcesofcashandfocusingoninyearbudgetmanagement,acashmanagementsystemwillhavethefollowingelements:

    Anappropriatedbudget Buildinchangesandmodificationstotheapprovedbudgettocreateanadjusted

    budget Cashflowprojectionsoverthebudgetperiod:theinyearcashfloworexpenditure

    plan Asystemofmeasuringactualfinancialperformanceinrelationtotheprojected

    plan Asystemofm