ZHRC/HTI Financial Management Training

Session 1: Financial Management Overview

Learning Objectives (1)

• By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Define financial management

• List challenges to strong financial management in the ZHRCs/HTIs

• List the ‘7 Principles of Financial Management’

• List the ‘4 Building Blocks of Financial Management’

Learning Objectives (2)

• Describe how to apply concepts of financial management to the ZHRCs/HTIs

• Describe the central role of financial management in achieving an organizations objectives

• Recognize that financial management is everyone’s responsibility

What is financial management?

Definition

• Financial management is the process of planning, organizing, controlling and monitoring the financial resources of an organization to achieve its objectives

• In the ZHRC/HTI context, financial management is comprised of processes and actions taken by administrative leaders and financial staff of the ZHRC/HTI

Why is financial management important?

Importance of Good Financial Management• Helps managers make effective and efficient

use of resources to achieve objectives and fulfill commitments to stakeholders

• Helps the organization achieve long-term financial sustainability

• Helps the organization be more accountable to stakeholders and development partners

Financial Management of an Organization is like Maintenance of a Car

Functions of Financial Management

• In Tanzanian Government entities, the functions of financial management include:

• Maximizing the sustainability of service provision

• Making financing and investment decisions• Managing liquidity and cash flow

Tanzania Public Finance Act of 2001

• The principle Act governing the financial operations of all government institutions in Tanzania

• Purpose of the Act is ‘to make provision for revenues, management of funds and resources of government authorities, and for other matters connected to securing proper collection and sound management of finances in local and central government systems’.

Public Finance Act 2001 Outline (1)

There are 7 parts to the Act: • Part I : Preliminary Provisions• Part II : Control and Management of

Public Finance• Part III: Estimates of Revenue and

Expenditure• Part IV: Preparation, Audit and

Examination of Accounts

Public Finance Act 2001 Outline (2)

• Part V : Audit of Public Authorities and Other Bodies

• Part VI: Finance and Audit of the Controller and Auditor-General and Related Provisions

• Part VII: Other Provisions

Elements of Financial Management

• There are three broad elements of financial management:• Allocation of finances

• Controlling resources

• Financing decisions

Methods Used to Achieve Financial Management Elements• Management methods, including contracting out

service delivery• Accounting methods, including record keeping and

financial reporting• Budget methods and processes like Medium Term

Expenditure Framework (MTEF)• Financial analysis such as examining resource

utilisations• Management Information Systems• Auditing

Four Key Components of Financial Management (1)

1. Managing scarce resources• Matching available resources to the

activities planned by the ZHRC/HTI • Monitoring the efficiency of resource use• Finding ways to finance new initiatives• Identifying methods to reduce and

recover costs

Four Key Components of Financial Management (2)

2. Managing Risk• All organizations face internal and

external risks that can threaten operations

• Risks must be identified and actively managed in an organized way to limit damage they can cause

Four Key Components of Financial Management (3)

3. Managing Strategically• Financial management is part of management as

a whole

• Strategic management includes: • Identifying trends in past resource usage in order

to determine future budget requirements, project cash needs, and forecast financial growth

• Developing long-term financial plans to meet future resource requirements

Four Key Components of Financial Management (4)

Review

4. Managing by Objectives

Features of Good Financial Management Systems in the ZHRCs/HTIs (1)

• Financial information is available to plan and control the use of resources

• Clear objectives are set for planning and budgeting

• Revenue/resources are mobilised• Officers are accountable for ensuring that

expenditure and revenues comply with the regulations

Features of Good Financial Management Systems in the ZHRCs/HTIs (2)

• Relevance is clear between the achievements accomplished and the resources used

• Strong systems, controls and audit processes• Guided by the Public Finance Act and Ministry

of Health financial circulars and regulations• Public Procurement Act No. 21 of 2004,

Standing Orders• All financial affairs should be subject to both

internal and external audits

Challenges to Strong Financial Management in the ZHRCs/HTIs• Insufficient funds and resources for planned

activities• Staff turnover and delays in hiring to fill

vacant positions • Limited opportunities for professional

development and training for the ZHRC/HTI financial employees

• Insufficient time available for thorough budgeting, planning and reviewing results

7 Principles of Financial Management

• Consistency• Accountability• Transparency• Viability• Integrity• Stewardship• Accounting standards

Work in Pairs: 7 Principles of Financial Management

4 Building Blocks of Financial Management (1)

1. Accounting Records• Accurate records of how funds have been used

2. Financial Planning• Budget

3. Financial Monitoring• Financial reports

4. Internal Controls• System of controls, checks, and balances

4 Building Blocks of Financial Management (2)

Getting the Basics Right

4 Building Blocks of Financial Management (3)

• All building blocks must be in place continuously

• Effective financial management will not be achieved by partial implementation

Work in Pairs: 4 Building Blocks of Financial

Management

Key Points (1)

• Financial management is the process of planning, organizing, controlling and monitoring the financial resources of an organization to achieve its objectives• It is essential for an organization to meet its

financial objectives• 4 key components of financial management are:

• Managing scarce resources• Managing risk• Managing strategically• Managing by objectives: ‘Plan-Do-Review’

Key Points (2)

• The 7 principles of financial management include: consistency, accountability, transparency, viability, integrity, stewardship and accounting standards• Use of these principles is good practice for

building strong systems• The 4 building blocks of financial management

include: accounting records, financial monitoring, financial planning and internal controls