Making a difference

Integrating Public Financial Management Systems

More and more countries are implementing, or in the process of implementing, integrated financial management information systems (IFMIS) projects. Conceptually IFMIS is highly desirable, enhancing the timing and accuracy of management information and enabling significant cost efficiency savings, They are, however, often complicated to implement with many potential pitfalls.

This course will empower government officials and IT specialists to implement IFMIS projects effectively and enhance public financial management.

Who should attend
Senior and middle management staff from institutions across the government including IFMIS project implementers and IT staff, accountant and auditor general departments, budget departments, line ministries, revenue (tax and customs) administrations, debt management departments and central banks.

How you will benefit
By the end of the course you will be able to:

• understand the key concepts, processes and technologies of an IFMIS project
• understand how IFMIS supports and strengthens public financial management
• identify key financial transactions that could be made more efficient through integration
• understand how IFMIS enhances internal accounting controls and audit, minimising operational risk and enhancing transparency
• understand how integrated PFM systems can bring about more efficient use of resources

Course profile

• PFM business processes and data sharing mechanisms in an IFMIS environment
• Accounting and auditing requirements for operating PFM systems in IFMIS (budgeting, general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable)
• Linkages to various PFM systems (revenue systems, payroll, accounting, debt and cash management, etc)
• Introduction to accrual accounting concepts and integrating these systems with financial management systems
• Common pitfalls in generating vouchers, cheques and externalisation of funds notices, authorisation procedures and internal controls
• Comprehensive real-time recording of financial transactions through the public financial management system and on-line/off-line electronic data exchange between the treasury system and central agencies
• Identifying impediments to changes, managing stakeholders, minimising disruption and implementing quick wins to drive through system integration and ensure success
• Capacity building arrangements for implementing public financial management in an IFMIS environment
• Overview of options for implementing IFMIS including technological independence; managing technological developments; common integration models such as Face-to-Face or Hub Architecture; and integration technologies (File Transfer, Human Interface, Direct Data Access, Program Calls, Communication Channel Protocols etc)
• How to integrate E-Payment system into IFMIS