Public Finance for Non-Finance Professionals Training Course

Public Finance for Non-Finance Professionals Training Course

Introduction

Public finance plays a pivotal role in shaping national economies, strengthening fiscal policies, and ensuring sustainable growth. However, for non-finance professionals, navigating complex government budgets, taxation systems, debt management, and financial reporting often poses challenges. Public Finance for Non-Finance Professionals Training Course bridges the knowledge gap by simplifying critical financial concepts, empowering participants with practical insights into public budgeting, fiscal responsibility, and resource allocation for impactful decision-making.

With a strong emphasis on financial literacy, policy alignment, and economic governance, this course equips participants with hands-on skills to understand, analyze, and influence public financial systems effectively. Using real-world case studies, interactive modules, and applied learning strategies, participants will enhance their capacity to interpret financial statements, understand taxation and public expenditure, and contribute to transparent and accountable financial governance within their organizations.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the fundamentals of public finance and economic governance.
2. Interpret government budgets, taxation systems, and fiscal policies.
3. Apply financial literacy skills for effective policy decision-making.
4. Analyze public expenditure and resource allocation strategies.
5. Develop accountability in public financial reporting and auditing.
6. Strengthen capacity in budget planning and financial control.
7. Examine the role of public debt and debt sustainability.
8. Explore the link between public finance and economic development.
9. Identify best practices in public procurement and contract management.
10. Enhance knowledge of fiscal decentralization and local governance finance.
11. Utilize data-driven insights for evidence-based fiscal decisions.
12. Evaluate transparency and anti-corruption mechanisms in finance.
13. Improve engagement with stakeholders in financial policy-making.

Target Audience

1. Government officials and policymakers
2. NGO and civil society leaders
3. Public administrators and managers
4. Professionals in non-financial roles (health, education, infrastructure)
5. Local government officers and county executives
6. Development partners and donor agency staff
7. Corporate leaders engaging in public-private partnerships
8. Researchers, academicians, and students of governance and economics

Course Duration: 10 days

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Public Finance

• Definition, scope, and importance
• Key principles of fiscal responsibility
• Public vs. private finance
• Role of government in economic management
• Tools for non-finance professionals
• Case Study: Comparing public and private finance systems

Module 2: Government Budgeting

• Structure and components of a government budget
• Budget cycles and processes
• Linking budgets to policy outcomes
• Revenue and expenditure forecasts
• Role of stakeholders in budget formulation
• Case Study: National budget analysis exercise

Module 3: Taxation Systems

• Principles of taxation
• Types of taxes and their implications
• Tax collection and compliance challenges
• Tax incentives and revenue mobilization
• Impact of taxation on citizens and businesses
• Case Study: Tax reform in an African country

Module 4: Public Expenditure Management

• Classification of public expenditure
• Capital vs. recurrent expenditure
• Expenditure planning and prioritization
• Performance-based budgeting
• Efficiency in public spending
• Case Study: Expenditure tracking survey

Module 5: Debt Management and Sustainability

• Types of public debt
• Domestic vs. external borrowing
• Debt sustainability indicators
• Risks of excessive borrowing
• Debt management strategies
• Case Study: Sovereign debt crisis in Greece

Module 6: Public Financial Reporting and Auditing

• Basics of financial statements
• Standards in public sector accounting
• Internal vs. external auditing
• Role of supreme audit institutions
• Transparency in reporting
• Case Study: Auditor-General’s report analysis

Module 7: Fiscal Policy and Economic Development

• Role of fiscal policy in economic growth
• Expansionary vs. contractionary fiscal policy
• Counter-cyclical policies
• Impact on poverty reduction and inequality
• Integration with development planning
• Case Study: Fiscal policy response during COVID-19

Module 8: Public Procurement and Contract Management

• Principles of public procurement
• Procurement processes and systems
• Risks and corruption in procurement
• Best practices for value-for-money procurement
• Stakeholder involvement in procurement
• Case Study: Public procurement scandal review

Module 9: Local Government and Fiscal Decentralization

• Concept of fiscal decentralization
• Revenue sources for local governments
• Budgeting at county/municipal levels
• Financial autonomy vs. central oversight
• Challenges in local finance management
• Case Study: Kenya’s county government finance reforms

Module 10: Transparency and Anti-Corruption in Public Finance

• Principles of transparency and accountability
• Role of technology in promoting openness
• Anti-corruption policies and institutions
• Whistleblower protection mechanisms
• International best practices
• Case Study: Open Budget Index rankings

Module 11: Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

• Concept and models of PPPs
• Financial structuring of PPP projects
• Benefits and risks of PPPs
• Legal and regulatory frameworks
• Stakeholder engagement in PPPs
• Case Study: PPP in infrastructure development

Module 12: Resource Mobilization and Donor Funding

• Domestic vs. external resource mobilization
• Role of donor agencies in public finance
• Aid effectiveness principles
• Accountability in donor-funded projects
• Blended finance approaches
• Case Study: Donor-funded health program audit

Module 13: Performance Monitoring and Evaluation in Finance

• Monitoring public financial performance
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Evaluation tools and frameworks
• Linking M&E to accountability
• Use of digital tools for monitoring
• Case Study: Evaluation of education sector funding

Module 14: Data Analytics for Public Finance

• Importance of data in financial decisions
• Data collection and interpretation
• Use of big data in finance
• Evidence-based decision-making
• Visualization tools for finance
• Case Study: Data-driven budget analysis

Module 15: Future Trends in Public Finance

• Digital transformation in finance
• Green and sustainable financing
• Blockchain and fintech in public finance
• International financial regulations
• Global best practices in finance
• Case Study: Digital finance adoption in Rwanda

Training Methodology

• Interactive lectures with real-world case studies
• Group discussions and collaborative problem-solving
• Practical simulations and financial analysis exercises
• Role-plays and scenario-based learning
• Hands-on use of public finance tools and dashboards
• Continuous assessments and feedback sessions

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

 We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.