LGSETA Qualifications · Qualification programme
National Diploma: Public Finance Management and Administration
Public financial management and the administrative processes supporting it.
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.
Public financial management and the administrative processes supporting it.
The programme brings together financial practice, public administration, assurance and analytical support. 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 public-finance team must bring together reliable accounting information, administrative records and assurance evidence. 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.
- Public-sector finance practitioners and administration staff.
- 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
- Prepare a fictional financial-reporting and budgeting work plan.
- Map administrative responsibilities and professional-conduct questions.
- Review risks and controls supporting the finance process.
- Organise analytical information for a management briefing.
- Combine the module outputs into a reasoned response to the programme’s workplace scenario.
5 learning blocks
Detailed programme outline
01Financial practice
This part of the programme examines financial practice, with attention to accounting, budgeting 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
- Accounting.
- Budgeting.
- Reporting.
- Applied work: prepare a fictional financial-reporting and budgeting work plan.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a fictional financial-reporting and budgeting work plan. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
02Public administration
This part of the programme examines public administration, with attention to service processes and professional conduct. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Service processes.
- Professional conduct.
- Applied work: map administrative responsibilities and professional-conduct questions.
Illustrative practical exercise
Map administrative responsibilities and professional-conduct questions. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
03Assurance
This part of the programme examines assurance, with attention to audit, risk and financial controls. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Audit.
- Risk.
- Financial controls.
- Applied work: review risks and controls supporting the finance process.
Illustrative practical exercise
Review risks and controls supporting the finance process. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
04Analytical support
This part of the programme examines analytical support, with attention to economics, calculations and information systems. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Economics.
- Calculations.
- Information systems.
- Applied work: organise analytical information for a management briefing.
Illustrative practical exercise
Organise analytical information for a management briefing. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
05Integrated workplace workshop
A public-finance team must bring together reliable accounting information, administrative records and assurance evidence. 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.