CAS in Public Sector Financial Management

The public sector is continually modernising its management methods. The emphasis is often put on efficacy or even profitability. The financial dimension is also becoming more important in administrative behaviour. In the past, the responsibilities and tasks surrounding finance (e.g. developing budgets, treasury services, funding) habitually concentrated among a small number of individuals, often associated with the same administrative body. Modern management techniques imply the decentralisation of these elements.

The range of professionals concerned with financial information and procedures has widened considerably. These persons must acquire new competencies in order to master the necessary procedures and develop the skills to interpret pertinent information. Fulfilling these twin requirements is the course’s ultimate objective.

• Examine the financial management methods applicable to public authorities and organisations, with a specific focus on cantons and communes;
• Acquire the capacities needed to put these methods into practice;
• Illustrate the theoretical issues presented with the help of practical cases;
• Provide the keys to understanding and interpreting financial information;
• Highlight the limits to interpreting financial information and to the information itself.

Presentations, work in groups, case studies and computer-assisted learning are combined in order to enhance students’ active participation in the course. Several lecturers from outside the IDHEAP will share their experiences and thoughts. A particular emphasis is placed upon participants putting what they have learnt into practice.

• Any person called upon to use financial management techniques or who wishes to develop the necessary interpretative skills;
• Political representatives and administrative managers;
• Managers of parapublic or publicly subsidised organisations;
• Students studying for the MAS in Public Administration (MPA).

Participants who actively and regularly attend the course, and complete the course project, will be awarded a Foundation of Continuing Education certificate of continuing education/Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Public Administration (with a specialisation in CEMAP). This corresponds to 10 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits. Participants who follow the course but decide not to complete the project work will receive a certificate of attendance (but no ECTS credits).

Total course registration fees come to CHF 3,900 (including all documentation), which should be paid on receipt of the invoice, and by the start of the course at the latest.
A discount of 5%, up to a maximum of CHF 500 per course, is available to any IDHEAP alumni—holding an MPA, DAS or CEMAP, an IDHEAP PhD or a Master’s in PMP—who wish to follow a CAS course or a Seminar for Specialist and Executives organised by IDHEAP. This reduction does not apply to participants in the DAS who subsequently wish to follow the MPA course. Any decision to withdraw from the course must be made in writing. If withdrawal from the course is announced between 21 and ten days prior to its commencement, 50% of the registration fee will remain due. If withdrawal from the course is announced less than ten days before its commencement, the entire registration fee is due. The number of places being limited, registrations will be considered on the basis of the date of receipt.