Certificate: Municipal Financial Management

48965 | NQF LEVEL 06 – CREDITS 166

Purpose of the Qualification
The purpose of the qualification is to enable qualifying learners to apply strategic level financial management competencies to ensure effective, efficient and economical utilisation of public funds and resources at local government level. Learners will develop competencies to manage strategic planning and budgeting processes, financial management processes and internal control, auditing and reporting processes. Individual learners will benefit through enhancing their personal competencies, knowledge and skills so as to be able to complete tasks required in their employment contracts and by legislation.

Business and commerce will benefit through this qualification as it will assure commonality of practice between public and private sector financial management practices.

Social and economic transformation is a core responsibility of local government. Through increasing the financial management capacity of government office bearers and employees the social and economic programmes of government will be implemented effectively, efficiently and economically.

The qualification serves to provide the opportunity for new and existing public sector employees to gain financial management competencies. In this light it serves to allow access to management positions for groupings previously excluded from such positions. Through providing financial management competencies South Africa's democracy can be strengthened, through strengthening the ability of local government to deliver. Delivery of services, and most importantly of basic services will contribute to the social and economic development of the country. As individuals competencies improve, the quality as well as the effectiveness and efficiency of local government will improve. Managers with competencies in financial management will assure that all processes of budgeting, financial management, internal control, auditing and reporting meet the conditions of relevant legislation and in this way are accountable to the public.

Rationale

The qualification is aimed at senior managers and future senior managers in local government. The typical learner will be an employee in local government, wishing to gain the competence to fulfil the requirements of his/her current job obligations or a municipal employee wishing to gain a qualification so as to advance his/her career opportunities. In addition persons seeking future employment in the local government sector may choose to complete the qualification. Persons employed in non-profit organisations and non-governmental organisations as well as private sector agencies which interface with local government would benefit from the qualification.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

It is assumed that Learners undertaking this qualification are competent in:

• Communication at NQF Level 4.
• Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4.
• Economics at NQF Level 4.
• Accounting at NQF Level 4.