ICGFM Promotes Knowledge Transfer Among Public Financial Management Experts

Working globally with governments, organizations, and individuals, the International Consortium on Governmental Financial Management is dedicated to improving financial management by providing opportunities for professional development and information exchange.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

ICGFM/Grant Thornton Survey Finds Human Capital Greatest Obstacle for Public Financial Reforms

Greater Government Transparency Leading Driver for Public Financial Reforms

During summer 2009, 65 public sector officials from 35 countries representing Africa, East Asia and Pacific, Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Middle East, South Asia, and North America participated in the 2009 Survey on Global Financial Management Leaders sponsored by the International Consortium of Governmental Financial Management (ICGFM). The survey explored the reasons why countries engage in public financial management reform initiatives, the obstacles they face, the support required for successful implementation, the role of financial management leaders, the costs and benefits of transparency, dealing with global economic uncertainty and preventing future economic crises.

PFM reform challenges were identified through in-depth interviews by Grant Thornton partners and staff. The survey examined leadership, transparency and capacity issues while dealing with global uncertainty. Increasing government transparency and the involvement and participation of citizens was the leading reason cited for reform. Training,exchange, knowledge and skills development were identified as the major required for technical assistance.
2010 Grant Thornton ICGFM Progress in Public Financial Management Reform


2010 Grant Thornton ICGFM Avancées réalisées dans la réforme de la gestion des finances publiques


ICGFM Survey of Government Finance Managers, Spanish
ICGFM Survey of Government Finance Managers, Arabic

Saturday, November 21, 2009

International Conference to highlight good practices in Government Performance Management

Performance.Results. Outcomes. Understanding Impact in Managing Public Finance

International Consortium on Governmental Financial Management (ICGFM) to Host December Conference in Washington DC

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Nov. 21, 2009 – The International Consortium on Governmental Financial Management (ICGFM) announced today that it will host its annual December Conference from December 2nd to 4th at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Enrique Iglesias Conference Center at 1330 New York Ave. in Washington, D.C.

The topical theme for the conference is: “Performance. Results. Outcomes. Understanding Impact in Managing Public Finance”. Workshops, presentations and interactive sessions will, focus on the use of performance frameworks in Public Financial Management (PFM). Senior level government financial managers from more than 30 countries including Poland, China, Brazil, Benin, and Bosnia will present PFM case studies. These case studies will help participants by identifying good practices and proven steps in government performance management.

ICGFM President, James R. Ebbitt, also Executive Director/Consultant of EAM, Inc./Mosley & Associates, an organization member of ICGFM, will open the conference. “A focus on performance in funding and delivering government services is extremely timely in light of the ongoing financial crisis. This conference will reinforce the best aspects of ICGFM: sharing good practices and facilitating dialog among practitioners.”

Limited to 130 representatives from the range of government finance – budget, audit, accounting, IT, policy, and treasury -- the conference serves as a global forum to share successes and lessons learned in public financial management (PFM).

Rhoda Canter, VP for Programs and Partner, International Global Public Sector for Grant Thornton, LLP noted that, “This conference, like all ICGFM programs, provides mentoring from PFM practitioners of practical, tested approaches – systems, procedures, and ideas that can be implemented – not theory and concepts”.

Working globally with governments, organizations and individuals, the ICGFM is dedicated to improve financial management by providing opportunities for professional development and information exchange. More information about ICGFM is available on our website, www.icgfm.org.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

ICGFM Government 2.0 Panel

Manuel Pietra from FreeBalance moderated a panel about Government 2.0 at the November DC Forum. Panelists Dr. Mark Drapeau and Doug Hadden provided insight into trends and adoption.

Introduction to Government 2.0

Risks vs. Rewards in Government 2.0

Affect of Government 2.0 on the back-office and transactional systems

Government 2.0 and Government stimulus programs

Government 2.0 and Citizen Services

Impact of Government 2.0 and Performance Management

Government 2.0 Adoption Rates

Transparency and misinformation in the era of Government 2.0

Wisdom of crowds and community management

Government 2.0 Applications

Government 2.0 barriers to adoption

The ICGFM experience with Web 2.0 technology