LGSETA Qualifications · Qualification programme
Certificate: Municipal Financial Management
The subject of financial planning, administration and accountability in municipalities.
The programme
Programme overview
Expanded indicative outline. The subject areas are described below; proposed activities and final delivery requirements are confirmed with Ratomac before booking.
The subject of financial planning, administration and accountability in municipalities.
The programme brings together strategic planning, financial management, control and assurance and professional practice. The expanded outline below shows how these areas can be explored through explanation, discussion and the preparation of relevant work products.
A proposed workshop runs through the programme: A municipality needs to connect its strategic priorities with financial planning and effective controls. Participants would examine the situation in stages, use the information provided and explain the basis of their decisions. The workshop is fictional and can be adapted when the final training plan is agreed.
The SAQA record has passed its registration end date. Confirm current enrolment or replacement arrangements with Ratomac.
Who should attend
Is this programme for you?
This outline is relevant to the following roles. Suitability and any formal entry requirements should be checked for the selected programme.
- Municipal officials and public-sector finance professionals.
- Individuals preparing to take on responsibilities in this area.
- Teams seeking a shared approach to the work described in the programme.
Purpose of the learning
Intended learning outcomes
- Translate service priorities into a strategic financial-planning discussion.
- Prepare a resource-allocation review using fictional financial information.
- Map internal-control and assurance responsibilities.
- Draft a stakeholder briefing explaining a financial decision and its ethical considerations.
- Combine the module outputs into a reasoned response to the programme’s workplace scenario.
5 learning blocks
Detailed programme outline
01Strategic planning
This part of the programme examines strategic planning, with attention to connecting policy, resources and municipal priorities. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Connecting policy.
- Resources.
- Municipal priorities.
- Applied work: translate service priorities into a strategic financial-planning discussion.
Illustrative practical exercise
Translate service priorities into a strategic financial-planning discussion. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
02Financial management
This part of the programme examines financial management, with attention to budgeting and effective use of public funds. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Budgeting.
- Effective use of public funds.
- Applied work: prepare a resource-allocation review using fictional financial information.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a resource-allocation review using fictional financial information. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
03Control and assurance
This part of the programme examines control and assurance, with attention to internal controls, audit and reporting. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Internal controls.
- Audit.
- Reporting.
- Applied work: map internal-control and assurance responsibilities.
Illustrative practical exercise
Map internal-control and assurance responsibilities. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
04Professional practice
This part of the programme examines professional practice, with attention to stakeholder engagement and ethical decisions. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Stakeholder engagement.
- Ethical decisions.
- Applied work: draft a stakeholder briefing explaining a financial decision and its ethical considerations.
Illustrative practical exercise
Draft a stakeholder briefing explaining a financial decision and its ethical considerations. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
05Integrated workplace workshop
A municipality needs to connect its strategic priorities with financial planning and effective controls. The final workshop connects the earlier work rather than treating each topic as an isolated activity.
Topics to explore
- Bring together the outputs from the earlier modules into one coherent response to the scenario.
- Check that the recommendation addresses the original problem and is supported by the information available.
- Identify responsibilities, dependencies and matters that require specialist input or further evidence.
- Present the proposed response and revise it after questions from the facilitator and other participants.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a concise presentation for the fictional organisation. Include the proposed response, the evidence supporting it and the decisions still required. Finish with a reflection on which aspects could be relevant to your own work.
From discussion to application
How the programme could be delivered
The proposed learning approach combines facilitator-led explanation, discussion of the subject areas and guided work on the fictional scenario. Each module produces a practical output that can be reviewed and improved.
Participants can work individually or in small groups to compare interpretations, explain their decisions and identify missing information. Feedback focuses on the connection between the task, the evidence used and the proposed response.
The final workshop brings the module outputs together. Ratomac will confirm the delivery format, learning resources, entry requirements and any formal assessment or certification arrangements for the selected programme.
Discuss your requirements
Dates, duration & arrangements
Contact Ratomac to agree the final programme, duration and delivery format. Include your preferred timing, location and whether the enquiry is for yourself or a team.
Discuss this programme ↗Qualification content summarised from SAQA. Delivery and enrolment arrangements are confirmed by Ratomac. The expanded learning activities and workplace scenario are original proposals for discussion with Ratomac.