Focus: Mastering finance in government

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Government missions have become more complex amidst competing demands for efficiency and security. Likewise, transparency and accountability are on the rise as citizens expect greater insight into where their limited tax dollars are going.

When governments fail in their critical financial responsibilities, it undermines public credibility, perpetuates distrust, and makes citizens question whether public agencies are capable of performing their missions. In essence, poor financial management hurts the government brand.

Given these expectations, finance is now strategic. The finance group’s contribution must move beyond its traditional role of support function to play a key role as the enabler of the complex missions for which government leaders are increasingly responsible.

Deloitte recently surveyed more than 200 government leaders in 28 countries with the goal of understanding to what extent
governments are trying to make finance more strategic. The results highlighted significant gaps between current needs and capabilities but also a remarkable level of agreement about how government agencies need to strengthen and better integrate their finance capabilities.

For survey results as well as related perspectives on finance in government, see the reports below.

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Mastering finance in government
This survey of more than 200 government officials around the world reveals to what extent governments must strengthen and better incorporate finance into their strategies.

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Focus: Mastering finance in government

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