Transforming local authorities and the services they deliver is ‘essential for long-term sustainability’, accountants say.
A new report by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) insists that councils need to change how they operate in order to cope with funding cuts.
Written with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), the report also argues finance teams must be ‘front and centre’ of transformation.
Transformation: How finance teams are driving local government innovation sets out the scope of and capabilities councils need for successful transformation, from finding and supporting new models of service delivery, to new financing and organisational structures.
‘Transformation isn’t just about installing shiny, new tech. It’s about looking at an issue and thinking creatively about solutions,’ said CIPFA chief executive, Rob Whiteman.
‘It’s about understanding the challenges and risks; and ensuring the skills, capabilities and capacity to achieve it is in place.
‘Fiscal constraints are certainly an important incentive for transformation, the goal is doing more with less, but investment is also a challenge, which means it’s crucial that finance teams are leading these initiatives.’