Public Sector Financial Management Capability Survey Information Release

In August 2009 the Treasury released information relating to a survey of financial management capability in the public sector.

The Treasury surveyed public sector chief executives (CEs) and chief financial officers (CFOs) in 2008 to identify the main issues with financial management capability in the public sector and has released the results of the survey here.

The survey involved 43 large and small agencies, departments and ministries with a range of operational and policy functions. Overall, the survey found there is a need to use the finance function far more strategically in the public sector. It identified a number of specific concerns which in summary involve:

• A relatively low level of demand for strategic financial management
• A desire to improve role clarity
• Areas where capability could be improved
• Ways to strengthen relationships between Treasury and departments.