Programme Overview
This course introduces the learners to the theoretical and practical foundations of municipal finance and budgeting. It also addresses the aspects of developing and implementing the vision, mission, and strategic plan objectives where learners will develop strategic plans and engage constructively in a municipal environment.
Modules
- Municipal Strategic Planning and Implementation – 12 days (3 days per session)
- Municipal Budgeting and Implementation – 10 days ( 2 – 3 days per session)
- Municipal Financial Reporting and Performance Management – 10 days (2 – 3 days per session)
Specific Learning Outcomes
The following learning outcomes should be achieved at the end of the course:
- Demonstrate an awareness of the role of a budget in the municipal context
- Differentiate between formats of budgets used in a municipality
- Evaluate a municipal budgeting system
- Contribute to preparing a municipal budget that reflects an integrated development plan
- Differentiate between approaches to preparing a municipal budget
- Identify the roles and responsibilities of municipal political executives and senior management required by the local government legislative framework for budgeting
- Plan a municipal budget calendar in accordance with the legislation
- Develop a legislatively compliant municipal budget and treasury office
- Comply with the conditions for municipal delegations
- Develop approaches to managing a municipality’s revenue in a sustainable manner
- Develop a subsidy framework for municipal rates and tariffs that encourages efficient and effective use of resources while promoting equity
- Apply the different approaches to forecasting municipal income and expenditure over the medium term
- Assess the organisational implications of planning income and expenditure over the medium term
- Contribute to the design rates, tariffs and user charges
- Develop a credit control and debt collection policy
- Select, measure, record, classify and report financial data in accordance with current financial reporting standards
- Prepare and comment on financial reports for different forms of municipal entities
- Apply and comment on statements of generally recognised accounting practice
- Analyse and interpret financial statements for stakeholders
Duration
- 31 days contact with participants
- To be completed over a period of 8 months
Entry Requirements
- Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4; and/or
- Financial Literacy at NQF Level 4
Qualification
- NQF Level 6
- 77 credits
Certification
A Certificate of Competence that is LGSETA accredited is awarded once the portfolio of evidence has been completed successfully.
Unit Standards
- 116358: Contribute to the strategic planning process in a South African municipality
- 116342: Apply approaches to managing municipal income and expenditure within a multi-year framework
- 116345: Apply the principles of budgeting within a municipality
- 116364: Plan a municipal budgeting and reporting cycle
- 116363: Prepare and analyse municipal financial reports
- 116341: Conduct performance management in a South African
