The qualification is aimed at senior managers and
future senior managers in local government. The typical learner will be an employee in local
government, wishing to gain the competence to fulfil the requirements of his/her current job
obligations or a municipal employee wishing to gain a qualification so as to advance his/her
career opportunities. In addition, persons seeking future employment in the local government sector
may choose to complete the qualification. Persons employed in non-profit organisations and non-
governmental organisations as well as private-sector agencies which interface with local
government would benefit from the qualification. Qualifying learners may operate at the level of
an executive mayor, executive councillors, councillors, municipal manager; chief financial
officer; department managers; strategic managers Office bearers and employees at the local
government level are responsible for managing the provision of services to the community.

The Constitution of the RSA (Act 108 of 1996) section 27 (1) states that all South Africans have the right
to access health care services; sufficient food and water and social security. Section 27(2) requires
the state to take reasonable measures within its available resources to provide these basic human
rights. The state is also responsible for providing education for the community and managing all of
the country’s resources. The constitution, therefore, allows the community to demand that services are
met and that government office bearers and managers have the skills to take reasonable
measures in providing services.
Based on the parameters created by the Constitution a range of legislation has been
promulgated to legislate the manner in which local government will manage public funds. The
learning outcomes contained in this qualification are based on the competencies required to
contribute to the decision-making and management of public funds. The learning
outcomes are combined in 3 broad areas of
competence; –
1. Strategic planning and budget-related competencies;
2. Financial management competencies and•
3. Internal control, auditing and reporting competencies.

The qualification aims to provide opportunities for applied competencies in
these three areas and provides a basis for further qualifications in both public sector
and private sector financial management qualifications at higher levels on the NQF.

Learners will build on their existing competencies in financial management and
will learn how to manage within the many challenges facing the public sector. They
will learn how to apply basic budgeting, financial management, internal control,
auditing and reporting competencies in a public sector setting. These competencies
will assist the learner in their role in public sector finance and will also provide
competencies which are transferable to the private sector.