Public Sector Finance Training equips professionals with the knowledge and practical skills needed to manage public resources effectively. The course covers government accounting, budgeting, expenditure control, financial reporting and performance-based budgeting, aligned with development goals and regulatory frameworks. Participants engage with real-world public sector scenarios and case studies to strengthen strategic decision-making and operational effectiveness. Delivered online or in person, this program prepares finance professionals to enhance transparency, accountability and efficiency in public financial management.

Course Objectives

By the end of this Public Sector Finance Training course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the principles and frameworks of public sector finance and budgeting
• Apply government accounting standards and financial reporting techniques
• Analyze and prepare budget frameworks and monitor public expenditure
• Align budgeting practices with national development priorities and performance targets
• Strengthen internal control and audit mechanisms in the public sector
• Promote transparency and fiscal discipline through sound financial practices

Target Audience

• Public sector finance officers and accountants
• Budget officers and planners in government ministries and agencies
• Internal auditors and compliance officers
• Project finance managers in donor-funded programs
• Officers from supreme audit institutions and treasury departments
• Professionals working in parastatals, municipalities, and public enterprise

Training Duration

Classroom: 5 Days

Online: 7 Days

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Public Sector Financial Management

• Objectives and principles of public finance
• Role of budgeting and accounting in public service delivery
• Overview of public finance laws and regulatory frameworks
• Budget cycle and fiscal calendar in government
• Fiscal decentralization and intergovernmental transfers

Module 2: Government Budgeting Frameworks and Techniques

• Types of budgets: line-item, program-based, and performance-based
• Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF)
• Participatory budgeting and stakeholder engagement
• Revenue forecasting and expenditure planning
• Budget formulation, approval, execution, and adjustment processes

Module 3: Public Sector Accounting Principles and Standards

• Cash vs. accrual basis of accounting
• Introduction to IPSAS (International Public Sector Accounting Standards)
• Chart of accounts and classification of expenditures
• Recording of public revenues and expenditures
• Fund accounting and accounting for grants and donations

Module 4: Financial Reporting and Audit in the Public Sector

• Types of public financial reports and disclosures
• Preparing annual financial statements
• Compliance with national and international reporting standards
• Internal control systems and the role of internal audit
• External audit processes and dealing with audit findings

Module 5: Budget Execution and Expenditure Control

• Budget release mechanisms and warranting systems
• Commitment control and cash flow management
• Procurement processes and financial accountability
• Managing supplementary budgets and virements
• Preventing misappropriation and wasteful spending

Module 6: Performance Monitoring and Results-Based Budgeting

• Linking budgeting with service delivery and outcomes
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in public finance
• Evaluation tools and performance audit
• Budget reviews and feedback loops
• Use of technology in performance tracking (e.g. IFMIS)

Module 7: Risk Management and Financial Integrity

• Identifying and managing financial risks in the public sector
• Anti-corruption and fraud prevention mechanisms
• Ethics and transparency in financial operations
• Public sector whistleblower protections and governance
• Role of civil society and oversight bodies

Module 8: Emerging Trends and Reforms in Public Finance

• Digital transformation in public financial management
• Public-private partnerships and fiscal implications
• Climate finance and green budgeting
• Gender-responsive budgeting
• International aid, donor funding, and fiscal accountability

Delivery Method

This program is taught through a mix of practical activities, theory, group work and case studies. Training manuals and additional reference materials are provided to the participants.

CERTIFICATION

Upon successful completion of the training, participants will be awarded a certificate of course completion

Course Booking

Please use the “book now” or “inquire” buttons on this page to either book your space or make further enquiries.