Government Finance Profession

Finance Skills For All

You can now watch the Financial Skills for All promotional film "Financial Management Matters".  We have versions available in QuickTime and Windows Media.

The watchword for the current spending period (CSR 2007) is driving better performance from resources.  Budget management becomes ever more important. For many colleagues, however, the concepts surrounding budgeting and accounting processes in government remain a complete mystery.  Even the vocabulary is scary and sometimes it’s just too difficult to ask.

Help is at hand, however - Sitting at the privacy of one’s own desk, or at home, anyone can log in to http://financeskillsforall.nationalschool.gov.uk/

At the click of a mouse, ten e-learning modules are available, allowing study of:

1. Financial Planning and Control
2. Resource Based Management 1 (An introductory session to the subject)
3. Resource Based Management 2 (More detailed consideration of the resource accounts, assets and liabilities)
4. Strategic and Business Planning
5. Budget Management
6. Performance Indicators
7. Market Economics
8. Investment Appraisal and Evaluation
9. Interpretation of Financial Accounts
10. Corporate Finance

For each module, learners have the option of a short self-assessment allowing them to check whether they already possess some or all of the requisite knowledge. These self-assessments have been designed to allow personalised learning pathways to be identified - guiding people to the topics they need to work through. Learners do not have to complete the self-assessment, if they recognise that they do not possess any knowledge of the subject area and would rather go straight to the e-learning module.

The programme keeps a personal record of the learner's progress; in each subject area, foundation level knowledge is demonstrated either by working through the e-learning module or by successfully completing the relevant self-assessment. And once the e-learning is complete, there is classroom training available (organised either at the National School for Government or by each department, as they desire) - to build the financial management competence through to intermediate and then Master-class standard.

Need more information?

Contact your departmental Learning and Development Manager or your allocated Strategic Relationship Manager (SRM) at the National School of Government or Terry.Rogers@hmtreasury.gsi.gov.uk

The intermediate level modules can be delivered directly for government departments and agencies by the National School of Government or their approved suppliers: