OVERVIEW OF THE INITIATIVE
THE ISSUE
The African public sector experiences a severe shortage of professional accountants and auditors (generally referred to as “accountants”). Professional accountants that are in government have typically only been exposed to private sector theory during their initial professional development. They often lack an understanding of public sector challenges and expectations relating to their position.
WITHOUT SUFFICIENT PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS, AFRICAN STATES ARE VULNERABLE TO EXPLOITATION AND CORRUPTION.
THE GOAL
Grow the capacity of professional accountants and auditors who are equipped to support accountability, transparency and good governance in the public sector
THE VALUE PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS BRING THE PUBLIC SECTOR
Balance regulation and policy with political objectives
Make and support sound and informed decision-making
Ensure economic growth without burdening future generations with public debt
Act as guardians against corruption, illicit financial flows and exploitation of resources
Enhance the accountability of government
Ensure that foreign investment benefits the country
TO DELIVER ON THIS MANDATE, THE PUBLIC SECTOR ACCOUNTANT REQUIRES A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF:
- The legislative environment
- The structure of the local public sector
- Fiscal governance
- Public financial and performance management
- Applicable public sector accounting standards such as the IPSAS
- [For external auditors] International auditing standards applicable to supreme audit institutions (ISSAIs)
OBJECTIVES OF THE INITIATIVE
Coordinate efforts to professionalise public sector accounting and auditing
Define minimum requirements for accountancy qualifications that address the needs of the public sector
Invest in generic curricula and learning materials
Develop implementation guidance for country-level implementations
Advocate for the role of the accounting profession in the public sector
Develop accelerated learning programmes for incumbents
Mobilise funding for countries to implement accredited professional qualifications
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
OUTPUT:
Enhanced accountability, transparency and good governance in the public sector.
OUTCOME:
Public funds being used efficiently, effectively and economically to improve the lives of citizens
POTENTIAL VALUE CREATED MAY INCLUDE:
GOVERNMENT AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS
protecting resources and attracting foreign investment
DEVELOPMENT
PARTNERS
reliable information and stronger in-country PFM systems
CITIZENS, CIVIL SOCIETY AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS
high quality reporting on government performance
USERS OF
PUBLIC SERVICES
effective resource management and usage
BUSINESSES
AND FIRMS
more efficient and effective government
POOR AND DISADVANTAGED CITIZENS
enhanced service delivery and developmental efforts
GOVERNMENT MANAGERS AND OTHER PERSONNEL
improved skills training, job performance and career progression
THE BURNING QUESTIONS
Working together
THE VISION CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED IF ALL RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS WORK IN PARTNERSHIP.
