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CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGYFOR PUBLIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

PSTF Conference

Presenter: Xolisa Dlanga| Capacity Building: National Treasury | November 2014

CONTENT

• Capacity Development Strategy• AAT (SA) qualification

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CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (CDS)

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Problem Statements & the CDS

•South Africa’s shortage of skills is felt sharply in PFM. The public sector is falling behind in the competition for scarce skills. According to the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), there were 22 030 public and private sector auditing and accounting vacancies in 2008.”

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“An absence of effective partnerships leads to unsustainable efforts to meet capacity development requirements. Partnerships between government and education, training and development (ETD) stakeholders are inadequate”

•Strategic Objective of the CDS 1: Support the development of an enabling environment•KA 1.10: Develop PFM – related occupational qualifications•KA 1.11: Support formal education and training programmes

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Problem Statements & the CDS

INTEGRATED CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

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TRAINING PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT & ROLL OUT

• Capacity Development Strategy for Public Financial Management• Competency Frameworks for Financial Management (CFFM)• Integrated Learning Matrix (Map of learning offerings & gaps)

• NT – AAT Financial Management Project Team – Development of qualification

• Qualification Roll - Out– Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Northern Cape and Western Cape– Delivered in block learning format

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Why AAT?

• SO 1: support the development of an enabling environment• What is AAT?• Relationship between NT & AAT• Benefits of the qualification to PS!• Experience with AAT

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PUBLIC SECTOR ACCOUNTING QUALIFICATIONS

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• Pressure from Accountant-General and Auditor-General to assist in public sector

• Gauteng DLG, together with DBSA, working on “Operation Clean Audit”

• Collaboration between AAT and SAICA to develop and pilot the Local Government Accounting Certificate (NQF3) in 2007/2008

• Commitment of SAICA and AAT to continue development of Accounting Technicians NQF 3 to NQF 5 - launch AAT (SA) – 21 October 2008

• Delivery of local government Certificate and Advanced certificate to over 4 000 people nationally

• National Treasury Approach in 2012

BACKGROUND

• Independent research survey into shortage of financial skills

• 739 organisations interviewed

• 22 030 (approximately) accountants short across different levels

• 16 642 vacancies at NQF levels 3 to 6 in both financial and non-financial services sectors

SKILLS SHORTAGE

The Association of Accounting Technicians South Africa - AAT(SA) - is a finance and accountancyprofessional body that offers practical, internationally recognised qualifications and support. Itprovides great benefit to financial staff at all levels, from people in clerical and administrative positionsto professional accountants.

AAT(SA) is dedicated to the education, development, regulation and support of finance andaccounting staff to help them earn the professional respect, recognition and rewards they deserve.

WHAT IS AAT(SA)?

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Business Stream

Diploma in Accounting

Advanced Certificate in Accounting

Certificate in Accounting

Local Government

Stream

LG Diploma in Accounting –

November 2012

LG Advanced Certificate

LG Accounting Certificate

Public Sector Stream

Public Sector Diploma - 2016

Public Sector Advanced

Certificate – July 2012

Public Sector Certificate - July

2012

QUALIFICATIONS

Qualification OutcomesPublic Sector Accounting Certificate:this certificate develops skills in double entry bookkeeping and gives an understanding of management and administrative process.

Public Sector Accounting Advanced Certificate:introduces complex accounting tasks including preparation of final accounts, maintaining cost accounting records and preparing reports and returns.

Public Sector Diploma:(Mandatory Units & two electives)Will focus on the areas of accounting most relevant to your needs including audit preparedness, financial statements and financial ratios.

PSAC• Open Access• Aimed at entry-level provincial/national department financial employees

PSAAC• PSAC OR• Matric Mathematics (not maths literacy)• Experience in the recording departmental revenue and receipts• Experience in making and recording payments• At least supervisory level experience for a minimum of two years• A previous post-school qualification in accounting would be an

advantage• Current role two levels above entry level within the department

SELECTION CRITERIA

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Recognition - qualification• Will be registered with SAQA• Will be registered learnerships (tax and Seta benefits)• Internationally recognised

Quality assurance• Accredited providers• Externally set examinations• Support of AAT and SAICA

Staff benefits• Competent staff• Professional and proud staff

BENEFITS OF QUALIFICATIONS

• Classes of between 20 and 25• Classes at departmental offices• PSAC – 18 days facilitation, plus revision and assessment over 12 months• PSAAC – 40 days plus revision and assessment over 24 months• Timetable agreed with department• Accredited training providers appointed by AAT(SA) OR Department• Timetable can be shortened at employer discretion

HOW DOES IT WORK?

• Departmental Champion• Quarterly provincial project meetings (including champion, AAT(SA), provider, Provincial Treasury, PSeta and other stakeholders)• Proper advocacy• Training provider reports• Quarterly AAT(SA) reports

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

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Membership = Academic knowledge + Practical competence

1. Qualification 2. Workplace experience

AAT Qualifications Recognition of Prior Learning

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

THANK YOU