The National Local Government Finance Committee together with the Accountant General's Department has conducted an Orientation for recently recruited, promoted and deployed Local Authority Accounts Officers to capacitate them with skills and knowledge in prudent financial management, fiscal decentralization, ethics, professionalism to ensure they are Officers of good standing and work efficiently and effectively in the management of public resources and enhanced service provision at Local level.

Speaking during one of the cluster sessions, Director of Local Government Services Mr Douglas Mkweta urged the Accounts personnel to work hard and professionally to regain public trust.

“It is time for you to stand up and get counted and restore public confidence in local government’s public finance management”

“Accountants play a key role in safeguarding Local Authorities’ finances, and it is important that you have the pre-requisite skills and perform your duties professionally to cultivate trust from the public”, said Mkweta

In his remarks, the Executive Director for NLGFC Dr Kondwani Santhe reminded the Accountants that they have a stewardship role and it is incumbent upon them to ensure that all stakeholders trust their work and that the public purse is protected at all times. 

“You are the change agents in public finance management in the councils, work and submit reports within stipulated deadlines”

“Your role is to ensure transactions are recorded in LA-IFMIS timely, bank reconciliations are done on time, produce accurate and comprehensive reports for ease of decision making and that you are working professionally and ethically and you are accountable through timely submission of financial reports as this will enhance transparency, generate confidence, and increase public trust”, said Santhe.

A total of 85 Accounts Officers from all councils were targeted. 

The orientation covered the Accountants’ code of Ethics, Local Authority Chart of Accounts, Human Resource Management in Local, Authorities, promotions, training and disciplinary procedures, Financial Reporting in Local Authorities, Migration from Cash basis Accounting to Accrual Accounting and the reporting requirements under Accrual Financial reporting. Also, awareness of the Public Finance Management Act 2022 and Penalties for noncompliance to the Act, Step by step process of preparing Local Authorities Financial Statements and Project Funds management and auditing among others.

Facilitators included officers from the NLGFC, Accountant General's Department, National Auditor Office, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Ministry of Local Government Unity and Culture and Local Government Service Commission.