Series running from July 2023 until September 2025
Background
Strong financial management helps government organisations use public money wisely. It ensures services are delivered efficiently, decisions are well-informed, and resources are used where they are needed most. By managing finances responsibly, government can provide better value for every taxpayer pound and build more resilient public services.
Scope
The Financial and Risk Management insights team are producing a series of guides aimed at senior finance decision-makers across all of our audited bodies. The guides will complement existing guidance provided to finance teams across government by the Government Finance Function.
Our guides will showcase insights outlining areas where good financial management can unlock greater efficiency, productivity and resilience, as well as practical ways organisations can make improvements.
Each publication will focus on different aspects of the financial management lifecycle, and is planned to be released at intervals to provide maximum benefit to finance teams in government. Our guides will cover:
• Enablers of success (published)
• Strategic planning and budgeting (published)
• Allocating resources (published)
• Monitoring and forecasting (published)
• Reporting for decision making (Autumn 2025)
Our financial management good practice guides reach around 400 organisations across the public sector and put a spotlight on leading practice in areas which have included strategic planning and budgeting and monitoring and forecasting.
Reporting for decision making
Our final guide will focus on how finance teams across government can develop their reporting processes to improve decision making.
Does your organisation have a good story to tell? We are interested in talking to finance leaders and teams from any sector who have made positive improvements when it comes to reporting.
- Have you used data analytics to improve the quality of decision-making?
- Have you used technology in an innovative way to improve your reporting?
- Do you report in a way that makes it easier for people in your organisation to access the information they need?
If you are interested in talking to us please contact farm.insights@nao.org.uk
NAO Team details
Director: Mfon Akpan
Senior Audit Manager: Chris Coyne