Core functions and responsibilities
Traditionally, government treasury management has been defined as a set of rules, practices, and procedures for making financial resources of the government more productive and borrowing of funds less expensive. The Provincial Planning and Treasury therefore is the institution responsible for the financial management of all government operations in the Eastern
Cape. This involves amongst others, the preparation and planning of the provincial budget, monitoring the implementation of the budget to ensure that the budget intent and outcome are congruent, controlling expenditure, and generally ensuring sound financial governance in the province. It is the primary responsibility of the Treasury to ensure effective and efficient cash management. This involves:
(i) the need to ensure that cash is available for payment of expenditures in order to allow an orderly implementation of the government budget, and
(ii) managing revenue (cash collection) and expenditure payment processes in such a manner that cash becomes available for short term investment purposes. It is also the responsibility of the Treasury to implement effective and transparent financial management systems in the province, maintain and control associated systems in use by line departments, manage transversal supply chain management policies and systems, manage transversal financial information systems and assist in building financial management capacity in the provincial administration. The Treasury is responsible for the sound financial management of 39 municipalities in the province. Monitoring the planning and preparation of budgets;
2. Monitoring the in-year implementation of the budgets;
3. Ensuring timely submission of Annual Financial Statements and Audit Reports;
4. Instituting financial interventions, whenever necessary;
5. Ensuring the implementation of a Supply Chain Management Framework;
6. Assisting in the establishment of such structures as internal audit and budget offices;
7. Assisting in building financial management capacity;
8. Offering training in financial management; and
9. Ensuring harmonization of Provincial Ordinances (if any) with the MFMA.
