Managing Public Money

Anyone (irrespective of seniority) who has responsibility for the stewardship of public funds in the central government sector needs to be fully acquainted with the principles and rules laid down in this key guidance document.

This course is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive overview of the key requirements of HM Treasury’s guidance relating to the stewardship of public funds.

The course will cover the following key elements:

• The role of the Treasury Officer of Accounts.
• Dear Accounting Officer letters with examples of recently issued guidance;
• An overview of the main chapters and their relevance to arm’s length public bodies
• The requirement to operate under delegated authority from HM Treasury/ sponsor department
• The significance of the ALB framework document
• The role of the Principal and ALB Accounting Officers
• Regularity (including examples of qualified accounts)
• Novel contentious and repercussive expenditure;
• Accounting Officer assessments
• Whistleblowing procedures
• Propriety, including reference to: the avoidance of waste and extravagance; acceptance of gifts and hospitality; registering and management of conflicts of interest;
• Value for money and feasibility;
• Specific topics such as insurance, losses and setting of fees and charges
• The governance statement;

• The scrutiny roles of the National Audit Office and the House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts;

At the Civil Service College, we tailor our courses to each attendee’s role and organisations, ensuring that each participant gets the most out of the training. Our courses and trainers are continuously updated and evaluated to ensure that we are always delivering the best service possible.

Key Training Features

Who Can Attend

Learning Outcomes

Key Training Features:

• The course provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and specific rules set out in Managing Public Money, including practical exercises that allow participants to evaluate possible courses of action in scenarios requiring judgement in applying MPM principles.
• The course also illustrates the consequences of failing to adhere to the body’s framework of authorities (including compliance with Managing Public Money). Video clips from the Public Accounts Committee proceedings are used to demonstrate the scrutiny involved in managing public funds.

Who Can Attend:

This course is suitable for those with responsibility for financial management in arm’s length bodies, and in other entities (such as public corporations and NHS Trusts) where there is an obligation for the organisation to comply fully with Managing Public Money guidance.

Learning Outcomes:

• A comprehensive appreciation of the principles and the specific rules contained in Managing Public Money.
• An appreciation of the particular characteristics of public funds and why particular care is required in managing public money.
• An understanding of the significance of taking account of Parliament’s intentions when managing public funds.
• A reminder of the importance of perceptions when judging the most appropriate course of action, particularly with regard to propriety.
• A deeper understanding of the requirement to operate with integrity, openness and accountability.
• An appreciation of the position of the body’s  Accounting Officer, and their personal responsibility for all aspects of good governance and financial management.
• An appreciation of how MPM relates to particular categories of public body.
• Increased awareness of the external scrutiny that applies to public funds in central government