A Good Practice Self-Evaluation Tool for Financial Governance
Good Practice Self-Evaluation Tool for Financial Governance builds on the Panel’s publication Guide for Finance Committee Members in Further and Higher Education (CIPFA, 2008) by providing a practical way for those responsible for financial governance (finance governors) to review periodically their effectiveness and identify areas for future development. It provides a simple way for the executive officer with lead responsibility for financial matters to test the design and organisation of the interface between financial management and financial governance. It is also a mechanism for clerks to finance committees to satisfy themselves that the arrangements for the annual cycle of committee business enables and supports the achievement of good practice in financial governance.

The self evaluation tool is a questionnaire that looks at key themes that underpin the effectiveness of those responsible for financial governance. It has been developed by CIPFA’s Further and Higher Education Panel and has been ‘road tested’ by the finance and resources committee at Oxford Brookes University.

The checklist together with an explanatory note outlining how it should be used are available for free download.

Combined Code
CIPFA has commented on the FRC's review of the effectiveness of the Combined Code. In our view, one issue for the FRC to consider is how the Combined Code can reinforce the message that good governance must be demonstrated by the personal conduct of those responsible for governance arrangements within companies. Click here to read the response in full.

Recent Response
The Further and Higher Education Panel jointly with the Children's Services Panel has responded to the DCSF/DIUS white paper Raising Expectations: Enabling the System to Deliver. To view, please click here.

Guide for Finance Committee Members in Further and Higher Education
This publication provides a hugely practical source of guidance and advice for finance committee members in further and higher education. It will also be immensely valuable to other governing body members who retain some financial responsibilities and to other interested parties. It describes finance committee members’ roles and responsibilities in detail and provides the context in which such committees operate.

For further information and to order click here.

Details of relevant events will be added as soon as they become available.