| dc.description.abstract | The primary research problem revolves around lack of basic financial management
skills (e.g. financial management, project management, strategic management,
computer literacy, supply chain management, risk management, compliance with
legislation and various regulations) among the non-core financial managers in the North
West Provincial departments. These managers have been entrusted with the
responsibility to manage public funds, and subsequently deliver services in terms of
their departmental strategic objectives. These strategic objectives are linked to national
and provincial departmental service delivery mandates, in line with government
priorities. Non-core financial managers are involved in major operational activities of
government, and are also the producers of crucial government information and reports,
and therefore they need basic financial knowledge or skills, coupled with soft skills
(motivation, time, conflict and stress management, etc.) to be able to respond to the
basic questions raised by the report users.
In the case of the North West Provincial Government, the main purpose of the research
was to investigate basic financial management skills levels of non-core financial
managers, the impact thereof on service delivery, and to develop strategies to address
the shortcomings identified.
Research methodology
A questionnaire was used to collect data from non-core financial managers at post
levels 9 to 12 within various departments in the North West Provincial Government,
using the PERSAL salary administration system as the source of information. A number
of interviews were also conducted with various management officials from the North
West provincial departments, within different functional areas, including human resource
development managers. The individuals interviewed also included seniors managers.
The outcomes of the study
The results of this research have provided more evidence that the majority of non-core
financial managers do not have the requisite basic financial management skills to be
able to manage public funds. What is of critical importance is that basic financial
management skills cut across these managers' day-to-day operational activities, hence
the importance of developing these officials in this discipline of financial management.
The implication of the findings of this study is quite clear that the North West Provincial
Government will find it difficult to achieve its service delivery mandates, given the huge
challenge it has in terms of shortcomings in financial management skills for the non-core
financial managers. Structured financial skills development interventions, in
conjunction with proper implementation of the Performance Management Development
System, should be put in place in order to address the identified problem of critical
financial management skills shortages. | en_US |
