Overview:
The public sector is highly regulated. As opposed to the private sector, the laws and regulations that govern the financial management of public funds require that actions are only taken by government if they are compliant with prescripts.
In order for financial management to function effectively, with accountability and good governance, it is critical that all role players and all public sector employees understand the legislative structures within which the public sector operates, from the political and decision-making structures all the way through to those involved in the day-to-day operations of service delivery.
The aim of this course is to take a 360 degree look at the public sector from its environment, legislation, internal processes, ethics, performance management as well as auditing. The course uses practical examples that illustrate the principles that should be followed in public sector processes.
The Presenter:
Caryn Maitland CA(SA)
Caryn Maitland is a Chartered Accountant (SA). She has been a member of IRBA as a registered auditor and accountant since 2002 and is also a registered member of SAICA.
Caryn has lectured Auditing and Accounting at various institutions and has conducted independent workshops and seminars for professional accountants since 2006 on various topics.
Caryn has presented on the national tour for the annual Legislation Update with ProBeta Training (Pty) Ltd in 2014 and 2015, as well as on the FASSET national tour for the Tax Administration Act in 2014. She is also involved with the annual SAICA SMP Technical tour.
Bronwyn MacCallum CA(SA)
Bronwyn qualified as a CA(SA) in 2004 and has spent time in private practice as a partner and later director of small and medium firms as well as a tenure at the Auditor-General of South Africa as a Senior Manager and SAICA Training Officer.
Her current professional focus is on the design, implementation and monitoring of systems of quality control in the auditing profession for firms and for engagements. Bronwyn has also spent many years lecturing Auditing, IFRS and Public Financial Management at undergraduate, post-graduate and professional levels, both face-to-face and in the design and implementation of blended and on-line learning platforms. Bronwyn has played active roles at both SAICA and IRBA in board sub-committees related to professional practical training and development, and in public sector governance structures and audit committees.
Admission requirements:
There are no minimum entry requirements for this course.
Delivery:
The course is delivered through the SA Accounting Academy online learning platform. It is divided into eleven parts that are easily digestible. In this way you can maintain a work-life balance whilst studying and improving your professional skills.
Language:
English.
Assessment:
Your assessment will be in the form of multiple-choice assessments that are done throughout the course.
Registration:
The course is open enrolment.
Curriculum:
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Course Topics |
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5.Introduction to MFMA, MSA and MSA |
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6.PFM processes and reporting and UIF |
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7.MFM processes and reporting and UIF |
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8.Accounting in PFMA |
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Topics:
- Public sector context
Under this topic you will get an introduction to the South African public sector context and the spheres, levels, role players and functions of government.
- Governance and ethics in the public sector
The principles of good governance must be applied daily, in every role and at every level in the public sector. This course discusses governance and ethics as well as ways to identify and respond to the ethical dilemmas that public servants are faced with daily.
- Risk management and internal controls
Under this topic, you will learn about risk management and internal controls in the public sector. The process of risk assessment must happen throughout government and at all levels. Get to know how to identify and manage risks through internal controls, policies, and procedures.
- Introduction to the PFMA and Treasury regulations
The Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) is defined as the “regulation of financial management to ensure that all revenues, expenditures, assets and liabilities are managed efficiently and effectively, and to provide for the responsibilities of persons entrusted with financial management and matters connected therewith". Join us as we unpack this Act and Treasury regulations.
- Introduction to MFMA, PFMA and MSA
What guides how municipalities are run? This topic takes a good look at the legislation that gives direction to how municipalities should operate internally to ensure efficiency and good service delivery.
- PFM processes and reporting and UIF
This topic goes deeper in as far as public finance management processes and reporting is concerned.
- MFM processes and reporting and UIF
This topic focuses on municipal finance management processes and reporting and UIF.
- Accounting in PFMA
As would be expected, accounting in the public sector has its own peculiarities when compared to accounting for private sector entities. This topic defines and discusses accounting in the PFMA.
- Accounting in MFMA
Service delivery, not profit-making, is the focus of municipalities. Therefore, accounting procedures, processes and reporting will differ from that which we are familiar with in the private sector. Topic number 9 looks at accounting in MFMA.
- Performance management
This topic looks at performance management in the public sector. How is performance measured in the public sector where the goal is service delivery and moreover taking into consideration the complex dimensions of politics?
- Public sector auditing
This topic looks at auditing in the public sector where instead of the Companies Act, the auditor must focus on Treasury regulations and/or the PFMA, MSA and the MFMA.