Treasury announces details of the Operational Efficiency Programme

In the 2008 Budget report, the Chancellor announced that a Public Value Programme would be launched "to look at all major areas of public spending to identify where there is scope to improve value for money", which would examine major policy issues on value for money within individual spending areas, such as in road-building and healthcare commissioning.

On Thursday 3rd July 2008, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Yvette Cooper, released details of a parallel initiative, under the title of the "Operational Efficiency Programme" (for the full press release, see http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/newsroom_and_speeches/press/2008/press_72_08.cfm)

This programme will initially be comprised of five specific work strands:

• Back-office and IT
• Procurement
• Asset management
• Property
• Local initiatives and incentives

More details on how the programme will be managed and how each of the streams will be lead can be found in the programme prospectus (download a copy here [PDF size 1.4MB]).

(Posted 7 July 2008)

Professional Accountants in Business (PAIB) Committee Survey of Performance Measurement Structures in Public Sector Organizations

The PAIB committee of International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is undertaking a survey as part of a project to help professional accountants in business and others working in the public sector to evaluate and further improve performance measurement systems.

The survey is directed to professional accountants in business (PAIB) and others who work in public sector entities. IFAC's PAIB Committee is keen to continue serving professional accountants and others who work in the public sector. It is using this survey to collect information on the way in which public sector entities, in a wide range of jurisdictions and service sectors worldwide, set objectives, measure performance and report on results.

From a global perspective there is little information on the public sector performance measurement structures that are used in different countries. The objective of this survey is to identify similarities and differences that exist in the performance measurement structures of public sector entities, and the extent to which these structures help public sector entities meet their objectives. Additionally, the survey tries to find out examples of strengths and weaknesses of these performance measurement structures and what needs to be done to further improve the assessment, monitoring and reporting of financial and non financial performance in public sector entities.

The results of this survey will help professional accountants in business and others who work in the public sector in the evaluation and further improvement of their own financial and non financial performance measurement systems. They will also help IFAC's PAIB Committee to consider specific public sector aspects when developing International Good Practice Guidance for professional accountants in business.

The survey takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete and can be accessed on-line at https://vovici.com/wsb.dll/s/14f6dg2c2b3.

The PAIB committee has requested responses by 30 April 2008.

(Posted 21 April 2008)

Move to IFRS delayed
Following recent speculation in the accountancy press, the Chancellor today confirmed that the transition to International Financial Reporting Standards for the financial statements of central government departments and health bodies, announced in last years budget and planned for 2008-09 accounts, will be deferred until the 2009-10 financial year.

The decision to extend the deadline for conversion by a year follows investigations by the Financial Reporting Advisory Body (FRAB) and government departments into the challenges of moving to IFRS, and the doubts raised by two of the largest departments (Ministry of Defence and Health) regarding their ability to be IFRS-compliant in 2008-09.

The full statement can be found at Chapter C Paragraph 105 of the 2008 Financial Statement and Budget Report which is available to download from:
http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/7/3/bud08_chapterc.pdf

(Posted 12 March 2008)

CIPFA GFP award winners
CIPFA members walked away with the lions share of the inaugural HM Treasury Government Finance Professional (GFP) awards at the recent GFP Conference for qualified accountants in central government. Launched to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the GFP (formerly the Government Accountancy Service), the awards recognise achievement in the field of central government finance.

The awards ceremony on 15 November was the centrepiece of the gala dinner at the GFP conference in Brighton which was attended by 600 guests, including Sir Gus O’Donnell, Sir Michael Peat, Sir Andrew Likierman, Sir John Bourn and Dame Mary Keegan.

CIPFA members featured prominently in the awards, including two members of the Institute’s Central Government Panel. The CIPFA winners in full were:

• Finance Team of the Year – Keith Morton, Andy Stubbings and Joe Clyne (Revenue Investment Branch, DH)
• Boss of the Year – Caroline Rolfe (Head of Finance, DfT)
• Personality of the Year – Christine Earls (Head of Finance Strategy, DWP)
• Outstanding Contribution - Alison Lally (Head of Professional Development, DWP)

Commenting on CIPFA success at the awards, Curtis Juman, Finance Director at UK Trade & Investment and Chair of the Central Government Panel said:

"It is fantastic that the efforts of finance professionals in government are being recognised in this way. I am particularly pleased for those CIPFA members who were successful – it is a testament to the strength of the Institute in the central government sector."

Earlier in the day, conference attendees received a copy of the Central Government Finance Panel’s latest publication "View From The Board", which is now available to download here [PDF size 1MB].

Guide to Central Government Finance and Financial Management
This guide, from CIPFA's expert Central Government Panel, provides a clear and concise explanation of the main features of central government financial management as it is today. It aims to give an overview of central government finance, enabling the reader to understand its main features and guiding principles. It gives the background to government accounting and the developments that have taken us to where we are now, and also outlines some of the changes still to come. Click here for more details or to order.

Central Government Panel newsletter
Click here to read the latest Central government panel newsletter. This issue contains some information about recent developments in central government, including the impact of capability reviews on the finance function and transforming the Home Office finance function. There is also the text of CIPFA’s input into the revision of Government Accounting, a call to fill vacancies on the Accounting and Auditing Standards Panel and some information on Public Management and Policy Association (PMPA) events.

Central Government Finance Conference 2008: Delivering World Class Performance - 7 October 2008 - London
CIPFA’s Central Government Panel is pleased to present its annual premier conference covering prime strategic issues and financial developments within central government. Book online now.

CIPFA IT Audit And Security Update 2008: Fraud Prevention & Information Security Governance – IT Auditors Role - 9 July 2008 - Birmingham
This update will address current & emerging fraud & governance issues and should appeal to all those responsible for managing IT Audit, as well as to Information Security (IS) practitioners across both the public services and private sector. Designed as two linked days, delegates may choose to attend either day or both days. Book online now.

Central Government Finance: Practitioners' Update - 11 June 2008 - London
This one day course is a comprehensive update to the key processes and financial systems within central government. An impressive panel of leading expert speakers will look at accounting rules and funding of central government. This course is a practical and essential day for finance staff and will feature an overview and case study on the move to IFRS in central government accounting. Book online now.

The CIPFA Audit Conference 2008 - 23 April 2008
The CIPFA Panel presents its 2008 Annual Conference programme. Taking as its theme 'The Road to Excellence', the three-day event offers a unique show-case for all that represents best practice throughout public sector audit. Book online now.