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NewFinance Essentials
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Those working in the public sector need to balance delivering value for citizens with managing public money wisely. Strong financial stewardship is central to good governance and vital for maintaining public trust.
This course is for anyone who wants to be more financially curious, confident and credible. You’ll build confidence in understanding, discussing, and challenging financial terminology and information. You’ll learn where public money comes from, how it’s allocated, and how to spot risks or issues before they become problems. We cover how money flows through government, the key rules and frameworks that shape spending, and what good financial management looks like in practice.
Through real examples, practical exercises, and open discussion, you’ll learn how to read financial reports, ask the right questions, and support effective decision-making in your organisation.
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Key Training Features:
• How public money flows and who’s accountable for what
• Planning, budgeting, forecasting: what good looks like
• Spotting risks and asking smart, targeted questions
• Governance, controls, and protecting public money
Who Can Attend:
This training course is designed for public sector professionals who don’t have a finance background and want to build confidence in understanding, discussing, and managing money.
Ideal for colleagues in central government, local authorities and the broader public sector who are involved in planning, delivery, or oversight and need to understand budgets, forecasts, risks, and controls. It’s also a great fit for anyone aiming to get more from conversations with finance teams.
Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this course, participants will:
• Understand the terminology, how public money flows, and the rules and standards that govern its use
• Be able to read budgets and forecasts, spot risks and red flags, and ask informed questions
• Gain practical tools to help manage budgets, monitor spend, and support decision-making
• Build confidence in discussing financial matters and holding constructive conversations with finance teams
• Share experiences with peers and explore common challenges in managing public money
Summary
Duration
10:00 - 16:00
Price
£625 + VAT
Location
Civil Service College, Westminster, London
Virtual
Face to FaceIn-House Option
This course is available In-House and can be tailored to meet your individual training requirements.
EnquireLead Trainer
Fiona Fairbairn
Fiona’s passion is working with, facilitating and training leaders to improve knowledge, understanding and the application of strong financial management and good governance.
Read BioFiona Fairbairn
Fiona’s passion is working with, facilitating and training leaders to improve knowledge, understanding and the application of strong financial management and good governance. As a finance and communications professional, focused mainly on the public sector, Fiona spent over 20 years working in and across central departments, including Work & Pensions, Health, Justice and Treasury. Her Senior Civil Servant roles included responsibility for Standards and Communications in the Government Finance Function, where she led the development and implementation of the first ever Functional Standard for Finance to increase performance and promote value for money. She also has extensive experience of working in Private Office and working with ministers to deliver positive, cost-effective outcomes.
Fiona prides herself on building excellent partnerships with individuals and groups to respond to their needs and has established herself as a valued source of strategic advice and problem solving, whilst inspiring great performance.
Fiona is a Chartered Accountant (FCA), a Business Finance Professional (BFP) and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (MCIPR).
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In-House Training
Civil Service College can deliver In-House training within your organisation that is exactly tailored to meet your individual training requirements.
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