Course Overview on Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) Training
South Africa's public finance management landscape is changing. With the Public Procurement Act 2024 set to reshape how supply chain and procurement decisions are made, and comprehensive PFMA/MFMA Amendment Bills currently at an advanced stage in response to the Zondo Commission's findings, public sector officials can no longer rely on outdated knowledge of compliance.
This 5-day Public Finance Management Act course provides public servants with a practical, up-to-date working knowledge of the PFMA, covering the legislative framework; financial management roles and structures; budgeting and reporting; supply chain and procurement (including the transition to the new Public Procurement Act); and consequence management for financial misconduct. Delegates leave with the confidence to fulfil their statutory responsibilities, strengthen governance in their department, and contribute meaningfully to sound public financial management.
What You Will Learn
By the end of this course, delegates will be able to:
- Explain the constitutional and legislative basis of public financial management in South Africa
- Describe the roles and responsibilities of the Executive Authority, Accounting Officer, CFO, Audit Committee, and Internal Audit function
- Apply sound budgeting, revenue, and expenditure management practices within the PFMA framework
- Understand how predetermined objectives and performance information reporting link financial and non-financial performance
- Navigate the current transition from the PPPFA to the Public Procurement Act 2024, and its impact on supply chain and asset management
- Identify and distinguish between irregular, fruitless and wasteful, and unauthorised expenditure
- Understand consequence management processes for addressing financial misconduct
- Apply PFMA compliance requirements confidently within their own department or entity
- Stay informed on the pending PFMA/MFMA Amendment Bills and their implications for future practice
Delivery Methods
| Delivery Method | Duration | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Days | Get a Quote | ||
| 5 Days | Get a Quote |
Discounts Available
Save up to 10% by booking and paying 10 business days before the course.
Brochure:
Audience
This course is designed for:
- Accounting Officers and Accounting Authorities in national and provincial departments and public entities
- Chief Financial Officers and finance department staff
- Supply Chain Management (SCM) practitioners and procurement officials
- Internal Audit and Audit Committee members
- Budget and financial planning officials
- Compliance officers and risk management staff
- Newly appointed public sector managers with budget or financial oversight responsibilities
- Bid committee members (specification, evaluation, and adjudication)
- Any public servant who needs a working knowledge of PFMA compliance to fulfil their statutory duties
Pre-Requisites
None. This course is designed for both newcomers to public finance and experienced officials seeking a refresher on current legislative changes.
Recommended (not required):
- A basic understanding of your department or entity's organisational structure and financial reporting lines
- Familiarity with your role's day-to-day involvement in budgeting, procurement, or financial oversight
Course Outline / Curriculum
Module 1: Legislative & Constitutional Framework
- Constitutional basis for public financial management (s215–219)
- Objectives and scope of the PFMA
- Role and responsibilities of the Executive Authority and Accounting Officer
- Roles of other officials (CFO, Accounting Authority for public entities)
- New: Overview of the pending PFMA/MFMA Amendment Bills — purpose, status, and what to watch for as they move through Parliament
Module 2: Financial Management Environment
- Financial management as a concept in the public sector
- Function of the Chief Financial Officer
- Role and objectives of the Audit Committee
- Function of Internal Audit
- Public sector accounting basics (modified cash standard, GRAP)
- New: Governance alignment — King IV/V principles in the public sector context
Module 3: Planning, Budgeting & Reporting
- Strategic planning and budgeting cycles (MTEF, ENE)
- Revenue and expenditure management
- New: Reporting on predetermined objectives/performance information (linking financial and non-financial performance)
- Banking and accounting records
Module 4: Supply Chain Management & Procurement in Transition
- SCM and asset management fundamentals under the current PFMA/PPPFA regime
- New: The Public Procurement Act 28 of 2024 - what it changes, current commencement status, and the dual-regime period practitioners must navigate
- Public-Private Partnerships
- Managing losses, damages, and asset safeguarding
Module 5: Compliance, Misconduct & Consequence Management
- Irregular, fruitless and wasteful, and unauthorised expenditure - definitions and distinctions
- Financial misconduct: identification, investigation, disciplinary process
- New: Consequence management - the reform agenda's emphasis on closing the accountability gap (linked to Zondo Commission findings)
- Practical implementation: policies, procedures, and delegations
- Course wrap-up: assessing your department's PFMA compliance maturity
Schedule Dates and Booking
There are currently no scheduled dates.