The new Certificate in Public Financial Management (Cert PFM) qualification by ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is now available for public sector employees and those looking to work in the sector in future, said the accountancy body recently.
Cert PFM is designed to equip people with stronger and more relevant budgeting, financial reporting and financial management skills specifically for the public sector, said ACCA.
Delivering practical and broad-based knowledge of public financial management, the course covers the foundations of public sector finance and ensures public sector employees have a core understanding of what is involved in using essential information for those in public sector careers, ACCA added.
With an online course and an assessment, the Cert PFM programme takes about 40 hours to complete, the accountancy body noted.
The course is built around the public financial management cycle including:
- planning and budgeting
- budget execution
- accounting and reporting, and
- audit, governance and oversight.
"Cert PFM is suitable for new entrants to the public sector, as well as staff with practical experience but without formal professional qualifications, and professional accountants moving into the public sector from the corporate sector or professional practice,” said Judith Bennett, director of professional qualifications at ACCA.
