Guidelines of Fiscal Management and Budget Preparation and Analysis

A Continuing Education Course

On 28 May 2003 , the Institute of Practical and Training (IPRT) in Hargeysa, Somaliland completed this short course for senior civil servants involved in budget preparations, financial analysis, monitoring and auditing.  Eighteen individuals including several members of parliament and senior technocrats from the Ministry of Finance, National Central Bank and the local government of Hargeisa successfully completed the course and received diplomas.

 The primary focus of the course was to cover the budget process, preparation, adoption, implementation and other underlining principles, such as the assumptions, forecasting and essential features of a good budget document.   The course also touched the basic principles of accounting, auditing and internal controls that safeguard government assets.

The course covered the following topics:

Definition of budget

Essential features of budget process and preparation

Analytical techniques of revenue forecasting

Governmental Accounting Principles and Auditing Standards

Fund Types

Internal Control Measures

 The instructor of the course was Ali Haji Mohamed Gulaid.  Ali has extensive  experience in finance, accounting and auditing in the government sector and international financial development institutions.  Ali has majored in Accounting form Marquette University in Milwaukee , Wisconsin . He has over 20 years experience in the fields of accounting and auditing.  He is currently a senior financial accountant with Valley Transportation Authority in San Jose , California . Prior to that, Ali has held various positions namely principal finance officer with the African Development Bank and Auditor with Santa Clara County , San Jose , California .

IPRT held a graduation ceremony on 28 May 2003 .  The Mayor of Hargeisa, the Deputy Speaker of the House Representatives, the Director of the National Bank of Somaliland and Director of the Budget Division of the Ministry of Finance were honored speakers at the ceremony.  All of the speakers emphasized the importance of the course for the sound management and allocation of Somaliland meager resources. 

 The Course was sponsored by the National Endowment for Democracy, Washington, DC, USA.