6.12 Managing Finance in the Public Sector Aims To provide the skills and techniques to analyse and control finance in a public sector environment. To explain accountability for public sector finance. Unit Level 6 Unit code F/503/5219 Credit Value 10 Unit Grading Structure Pass Assessment Guidance To achieve this unit, learners must achieve the learning outcomes and meet the standards specified by the assessment criteria for the unit. Additional assessment guidance is provided on the ATHE sample assignment brief. Where possible real case studies and financial information should be used. Learning outcomes Assessment criteria The learner will: The learner can: 1. Understand accountability in the context Analyse the different organisations in the of public sector finance public sector Assess the accountability of public sector managers in relation to finance Analyse financial information reported for different public sector organisations 2. Understand how to use financial Analyse the financial information available and information for decision-making and evaluate its use for decision-making and control control Assess areas to be monitored and demonstrate how this can be achieved Analyse different types of financial decisions to be made and demonstrate techniques to support decision making 3. Understand how to manage a public Determine process by which projects are put out sector tender process to tender Analyse how public sector tenders are evaluated and suitable suppliers selected Indicative Content 1. Understand accountability in the context of public sector finance The Public Sector Understand what the public sector is and difference from private sector; different public sector organisations and their structure in the UK, including local councils, Police Authorities, QUANGOS, Government agencies, NHS Trusts; international examples Accountability Need for accountability – stakeholders including electorate, users and effective use of taxes paid; how accountability is achieved – audit, financial reporting, legislation, policies, procedures, equality issues; role of the electorate in accountability; value for money and measures/indicators used to assess effective use of finance Information reported Sources of public sector income e.g. taxes, grants; reported financial and non-financial performance indicators; published reports for different organisations; other external reports – e.g. Care Quality Commission, Audit Commission, reports from Houses of Parliament
2. Understand how to use financial information for decision-making and control Management accounting information
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