IMF | SARTTAC

Target Audience

Officials in finance departments and line ministries responsible for budget formulation, revenue and expenditure estimates, and budget policy documents. 

Qualifications

Participants should have significant experience in fiscal policy formulation, medium-term budgeting, expenditure management, capital budget formulation and drafting budget policy documents. 

Participants are encouraged to register for the PFM online course in preparation for this course: https://www.imf.org/en/Capacity-Development/Training/ICDTC/Schedule/OL/2019/PFMxOL19-115 

Course Description

This course, presented by the IMF's Fiscal Affairs Department, is targeted at senior officials responsible for budget formulation in finance ministries (departments) and line ministries. The course will expose practitioners to concepts and international good practice on: Strategic budgeting, including the importance of fiscal policy, fiscal targets and fiscal space Medium term budget frameworks, as well as developing aggregate and departmental budget ceilings Baseline budget formulation, definitions and cost drivers Budgeting within an aggregate ceiling Program and performance information used in budgeting Communicating fiscal policy clearly and effectively in budget documentsThe course will include practical examples and exercises.  

Course Objectives

On completing this course, participants should be able to:

- Understand the importance of medium-term macro-fiscal forecasting as an input to strategic budgeting Appreciate distinctions between medium term fiscal frameworks, medium term expenditure frameworks and medium-term budget frameworks;

- Understand techniques used in developing top-down aggregate and bottom-up expenditure ceilings;

- Recognize the importance of developing and examining baselines and using performance information in allocating resources;

- Recognize the importance of clear budget documentation for effective policy communication; and Apply the principles in their day-to-day work.