1. REVENUE, EXPENDITURE & CASH MANAGEMENT CRITERIA
MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE REVIEW & OUTLOOK – FINANCIAL MUNICIPAL CAPABILITY MATURITY MODEL
REVENUE, EXPENDITURE & CASH MANAGEMENT CRITERIA
15 August 2014

2. INTRODUCTION
The Municipal Financial Governance Review and Outlook (MGR&O) 2012 is a Provincial Treasury (PT) initiative in collaboration with the Department: Local Government that provides an independent assessment of the governance level of municipalities.
The intention of the MGR&O is to assess the municipality in terms of the adopted assessment model and to provide recommendations to management on how to take the financial management capability of the municipality to level 3 and higher.
The Government (Corporate) Governance Framework includes and builds on initiatives set by the Provincial Government, in collaboration with and support of all Municipalities, to improve general governance, financial management, internal audit, risk management, internal controls, and resource utilisation.

3. Three objectives of the budget process
Fiscal sustainability
Achieving an appropriate balance between revenue and expenditure, the debt level and other fiscal aggregates in a manner that promotes economic stability over the economic cycle and ensures a sustainable fiscal position in the medium to long term.
Allocative efficiency
Achieving an allocation of resources that reflects the priorities of government on the basis of evidence of programme effectiveness.
Value for money
Promoting the provision of public services through a process that contributes to achieving economy, efficiency and effectiveness, while being cognisant of the quality and accessibility of services.

4. Value for money Dimensions of value-for-money:
Efficiency: Achieving more output from the same input, while maintaining quality
Economy: Reducing the cost of resources used as inputs
Effectiveness: Achieving better outcomes by changing the nature of outputs.
Programmes not covered on the budget can be financed by reallocating spending from non-performing programmes.
Cost containment instructions: shifting resources from non-core goods and services budgets towards key service delivery requirements.

5. MGR&O criteria and ratings
Description
Levels
Start-up level
Level 1
Development level
Level 2
Control level
Level 3
Information level
Level 4
Management level
Level 5
Optimising level
Level 6

6. Financial Management Capability Maturity Model

7. FMCMM
The Financial Management Capability Maturity Model (FMCMM) is a tool to assess municipalities’ level of maturity and capabilities in financial management.
A framework that describes the key elements of effective financial management and sets out a path that a municipality can follow to progressively develop more sophisticated financial management practices.
The FMCMM was initially developed for assessment of financial maturity in provincial and national departments; it has now been adapted for municipalities.
A Presidential Outcome 12 Deliverable.

8. PURPOSE To provide a tool that can be used to:
Measure the financial management capability within municipalities.
Identify gaps within the municipality’s financial systems and processes.
Assist leadership with support in financial management & enhance accountability.
Provide a tool that helps management to assess skills & structure requirements.
Provide management with pointers on Financial Systems of Delegations.
Provide an early-warning mechanism for municipalities.
Assist municipalities close on AG findings through detailed activity checks.
Priorities, enhance and monitor National and Provincial Treasury initiatives.
Inform governance & oversight structures on significant of specific operations.
Determine the impact of key non-financial processes on financial management.

9. FMCMM - Levels of Maturity

10. FMCMM - Levels of Maturity
There are six levels in the model, most municipalities are expected to be operating between level 1 and 3, however this will be confirmed with first roll out to all municipalities once results are tabulated. The model allows for progression to levels 4 to 6 - future development.
Level 1:The Start-up level
Internal Control framework is inadequate with systems, processes and procedures not defined or followed.
Level 2: The Developmental level
Financial management systems, processes and procedures are basic and are being developed.
Level 3: The Control level
Financial management systems, processes and procedures are functional and able to support the organisation

11. FMCMM - Levels of Maturity
There are six levels in the model, most municipalities are expected to be operating between level 1 and 3, however this will be confirmed with first roll out to all municipalities once results are tabulated. The model allows for progression to levels 4 to 6 - future development.
Level 1:The Start-up level
Internal Control framework is inadequate with systems, processes and procedures not defined or followed.
Level 2: The Developmental level
Financial management systems, processes and procedures are basic and are being developed.
Level 3: The Control level
Financial management systems, processes and procedures are functional and able to support the organisation

12. FMCMM - Levels of Maturity
Level 4: Information level
The economic utilisation of resources is managed, measured and reflected in reliable financial and performance information.
Level 5: Management level
Capability is measured and monitored with procedures which are constantly being reviewed and improved.
Level 6: Optimisation level
Mature policies, practices, procedures and systems are implemented for effective and efficient operations.

13. Structure of Model
Currently Model is MS Excel based. We are exploring alternative electronic applications.
Model includes:
- Index, instructions sheet and summary score sheet
- Accounting Officer/ CFO’s letter confirming review of completed model
Each module contains:
-Questions, Reference to Questions, Associated Risks and Associated Controls
Scoring Mechanism
Yes = 3
Partial = 2
No = 1
Not applicable = does not affect scoring
* Next step to generate level 4-6 questions
Modules can also be completed independently, taking into account specific financial management disciplines.

14. Modules 1. Reporting 12. Expenditure Management
2. Annual Financial Statements
13. Liability Management
3. Annual Reports
14. Borrowing
4. Budget Management
15. Supply Chain Management
5. Budget and Treasury Office
16. Information Technology
6. Bank, Cash and Investments
17. Human Resources
7. Asset Management
18. Capacity Building
8. Risk Management
19. Compensation of Employees
9. Internal Audit
20. Management of Entities
10.Revenue Management
21. Public Private Partnerships
11.Transfers and Grants

15. Characteristics of the FMCMM
Descriptive
Suggest what would be needed to achieve a certain level of capability
Assist in mapping out a strategic plan required for improving financial management at each level
Reflect specific attributes or financial capabilities that a municipality at a particular would exhibit
Building blocks to establish effective financial management
Provide guidance for continuous improvements

16. MFCMM – LEVELS 4-6 MFCMM do not have questions On this level,
Statistics and trends suggest most municipalities fall between levels 1 and 3
Therefor the MFCMM questions focus more in compliance, however guidance are provided on the following levels:
LEVEL 4
INFORMATION
Internal Control framework will support the organisation to cope effectively in challenging times & focuses on measuring how resources are used
The economic utilisation of resources is managed, measured and reflected in reliable financial and performance information.
LEVEL 5
MANAGEMENT
Determines the utilisation of resources with effective results
Monitor and measure compliance with procedures and to take necessary action, if and when required,
Procedures are constantly reviewed, improved and provides good practice
LEVEL 6
OPTIMISATION
Changing and challenging situations are addressed and anticipated
This is the highest level maturity
System and procedures have been refined to a level of best practice and excellence
Information technology is used in an integrated way to automate the workflow, providing tools to improve quality, effectiveness and efficiency

17. FMCMM – LEVEL 4
MFCMM do not have questions On this level, however the following Guidelines are given:
At the Information level, operational managers have a broader understanding of their financial management responsibilities. They also recognize their responsibility to contribute to the municipality's financial management capabilities.
At the Information level, municipal standards for all processes and activities have been established to allow for measurement and comparison between similar business units across the municipality. These standard financial management practices can be tailored to the respective unit's nature and unique risks.
One of the key processes at the Information level is to provide consistent and comparable financial and operational (non-financial) information and reports that meet the needs of managers. This information provides a basis for developing performance indicators, cost and quality measures and monitoring performance, to ensure that intended results are being achieved and to demonstrate accountability.
Critical to achieving this level of capability is a climate that institutionalizes financial management practices throughout the municipality's culture

18. FMCMM - LEVEL 5
MFCMM do not have questions On this level, however the following Guidelines are given:
Uses the information developed to balance two competing objectives: using its resources economically and efficiently, and producing cost-effective results - for example, goods or services of acceptable quality. The municipality understands the financial implications of the choices and trade-offs it makes between these objectives. Such information also allows the municipality to better account for the way that it uses the resources entrusted to it;
Can better manage its financial and operational performance because it has - and uses - the "right" information. It has information and analyses on the relative costs of different approaches to achieving its objectives;
Possess mechanisms for measuring the impact of variables such as cost, quality, productivity and degree of success in achieving its stated objectives. This capability flows from a history of having measured and managed municipality performance, which includes, for example:
managing the municipality's information and knowledge resources as assets, so that information needed to make informed decisions is available (for example, by using simulations, historical trends and manipulating variables to see how they affect results); etc.

19. MGRO INFORMATION LEVEL 6
MFCMM do not have questions On this level, however the following Guidelines are given:
A municipality at the Optimizing Level uses information from inside and outside the organization to set and achieve strategic targets or objectives for improvement. Achieving these targets enables the municipality to increase the value of its services or products to clients or consumers. The focus is on continuous improvement. The municipality uses what it has learned from past experience to identify areas for future improvement.
This involves:
developing prospective information to anticipate both internal and external changes and making the necessary strategic or tactical decisions to manage their effects;
measuring the organization's performance against that of others in the same industry
finding best practices and learning from other municipalities (benchmarking); and
minimize costs and maximize revenues, improve the quantity and quality of outputs, by introducing new technology or improving existing processes.
The key question that an organization at the Optimizing Level asks itself is:
"How & where can the organization improve its performance?"

20. GOING FORWARD

21. COMPARISON

22. MGRO Criteria Municipal self assessment
LEVELS 1 – 3 , replaced by FMCMM questions
LEVELS 4 – 6, existing MGRO criteria, reviewed , guided by FMCMM (draft)
PT to validate and assess maturity level

23. Copy only “Response and Comments” (not Score) using “Merge conditional formatting”

24. At municipalities YES = score 3 points PARTIAL = score 2 points
The model consist of 21 modules and can be completed individually or together,
FOCUS: Revenue, Expenditure, Bank, cash and Investment,
Each module consist of a list of self-assessment questions,
After each question a response is required from a “Drop down box” under Response column.
Select appropriate response: ( levels 1-3)
YES = score 3 points
PARTIAL = score 2 points
NO = score 1point
N/A will not affect the scoring
Each module computes an average score between 1-3,
The average score ( summary score) determines the level of maturity,
“Comments” to be completed for “Partial & No” responses

25. Example MGRO Self Assessment: Revenue Management -
MFCMM vs MGRO\Muncde_FMCMM_2014 Revenue Management LGF.xlsx
MGRO Self Assessment: Expenditure Management - MFCMM vs MGRO\FMCMM expenditure team (TB).xlsx
MGRO Self Assessment: Bank, Cash & Investment Management - MFCMM vs MGRO\2014 MGRO Criteria Rev_Exp_Bank cash & Investment.xlsx