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Public Sector Financial Management for Managers
Andrew Graham School of Policy Studies, Queenss University Kingston, Canada
November 2011
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Public Sector Financial Management for Managers
Acknowledgement
PublicSectorFinancialManagementforManagershasbeenproducedfortheCanadianGovernanceSupportOfficewith
fundingfromtheCanadianInternationalDevelopmentAgency,GovernmentofCanada,asageneralguideforfinancial
managementforlinemanagersintheAfghanistanpublicservice.
ItcanbefreelyreproducedbyanyAfghanMinistry,GovernmentDepartmentorAgency.
PleaseacknowledgetheGovernmentofCanadainanyreproductions.
Usebyinternationalorganizationsrequirestheexpress
permissionofCANADEM.
CANADEM 2011
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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Public Sector Financial Management for Managers 13
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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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),
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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Oneoftheothervery importantreasonstohaveaspecialawarenessofcapitalbudgetsandhowcapitalbehavesovertimeisthatofteningovernment,theissueofmaintenanceandreplacementofcapitalgoodsiseasilydeferredwhendifficultbudgetcutshavetobemade. What this has led to in some countries is a serious underinvestment ininfrastructurethatwillnowcostmuchmore,inpresentvalueterms,toreplace.Thishasbeenthevictoryoftheshorttermoverthelongterm.Unseensewersveryseldomattractpoliticalattentionuntiltheybreakdown.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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Internalaudit:Stronginternalauditprogramisinplace,andauditresultsareacriticalinputtomanagementdecisionmaking
Externalaudit:Processforensuringadequateattentiontoresultsandrecommendationsofexternalauditsofdepartmentoperations
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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