Finance and Treasury

Budgeting and Expenditure Control in the Public Sector

A public budget that is approved and then not executed as approved undermines every service that depended on it, and the failure usually shows up as commitments entered without funds rather than as overspending on a line. This course covers execution. Delegates work through the budget cycle and where a vote holder's authority begins and ends, then through preparing estimates that can actually be delivered. Commitment control is covered as the central discipline, including the point at which an obligation is created. Cash release, warrants and managing a programme when releases are late follow. Virement, supplementary budgets and the rules governing reallocation are addressed. Procurement interfaces and payroll control are covered. Expenditure reporting, variance explanation and in year adjustment follow. Arrears and their consequences are treated directly. The course closes on accounting officer responsibility, on audit queries and on answering to an oversight committee.