Municipal Finance Manager

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to function as a Municipal Finance Manager. A Municipal Finance Manager leads, manages, implements, oversees, reports, and takes accountability and responsibility for the budget, financial and general matters of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and supporting legislations thereof. A competent learner shall demonstrate among others the following attributes: honesty, punctuality, initiative, critical analysis, integrity, ethical, etc. A qualified learner will be able to: • Develop financial management policies in accordance with applicable legislation. • Contribute towards good corporate governance and risk management. • Uphold the audit and assurance processes. • Analyse the municipal plans and provide strategic advice and direction on the allocation of the budget to planned service delivery priorities. • Lead and manage financial and performance reporting processes to support accountability. • Oversee the effective and efficient preparation and implementation of the municipality's annual budget. • Oversee the supply chain management process.

The Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) requires the National Treasury (NT) to assist municipalities in building their capacity for efficient, effective, and transparent financial management. The municipal service delivery systems recognise the role played by competent workforce. This requires the Municipal Financial Managers to have the required competencies as prescribed in terms of the Constitution of South Africa and relevant local government and inter-governmental relations' legislation that will enable them to operate effectively and efficiently in a professional manner. The qualification seeks to provide Municipal Finance practitioners with a foundation for professional certification in municipal finance. To this end, the qualification systematically combines the knowledge, practical skills and workplace experience required in a professional certification process. The focus is on the development of institutional leadership capability premised on professional certification. The area of work practice and, therefore, the skills demand have been informed by the legislative mandate analysis. This qualification is aimed at developing Municipal Finance Managers who can provide strategic and operational leadership management in the municipal finance management cycle, including but not limited to: budgeting, planning, accounting, financial analysis, financial reporting, cash management, debt and liability management, supply chain management, financial management, and fiscal oversight within municipalities to improve financial management. The qualification is for learners who are holding financial, accounting and/ or economics related bachelor's degree, and are currently employed within various municipalities. Learners without a bachelor's degree in the above-mentioned fields shall be required to undertake the NQF level 6 certificate in the public finance to gain entry.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): • Learners will gain access to the qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification. • Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part qualification will be credited for modules through RPL. RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result. Entry Requirements: The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is: • NQF Level 6 qualification in Economics/Accounting/Finance.

• Develop and implement financial management policies in line with the relevant regulatory framework.
• Prepare and implement corporate governance and risk management initiatives.
• Maintain best audit and assurance practices and processes.
• Provide strategic advice and direction on resource allocation and service delivery implementation.
• Manage financial and non-financial performance reporting processes to support accountability.
• Design, develop and manage the effective and efficient preparation of the annual budget of the municipality.
• Develop and manage the supply chain and asset implementation strategies.
• Manage appropriate practices in respect of municipal revenue, expenditure, assets and liabilities.