The local authority

The client: a unitary authority in a thriving and rapidly expanding regional city.

The need: changes within the authority meant the delegation of accountability for budgetary control from the central finance function to individual line managers. Having previously relied upon the finance function to ‘tell them what they could spend’, the managers were ill-equipped to submit budget requests, negotiate levels and manage their own funds.

What we did: one of our associates (a qualified accountant) put together a series of case studies, demonstrating the core principles of budget management, for delivery as a 1-day workshop. The workshop was delivered to all line managers in the authority... over 100 people.

Andrea Emeny, Learning and Development Manager for the authority had this to say about the programme -

I admire greatly those in learning and development who can take a subject that traditionally strikes fear into the heart of most newcomers and can send them out of the session smiling, happy and confident. Ian Cooper’s delivery and John Kirke’s design of our Financial Awareness programme did just that.

The challenge was to take a group of individuals with a vast range of budget management experience, provide them with practical skills and knowledge, create a common language, understanding and culture of accounting practices... and do all of this without patronising some and flying over the heads of others. John’s design ensured the learner could take practical exercises to the level at which they were comfortable. Ian’s artful delivery provided metaphors and examples that the delegates could relate to in their everyday lives.

Knowledge empowers and gives confidence. Ian and John have effectively built the confidence needed for the development of our Budget Managers for the future.