In its role as public service provider, the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) is responsible to ensure that the services provided to citizens improves the quality of life, communities and the function of society. Billions of dollars each year are spent in managing these service activities. Government therefore, must ensure that funds are available to enable the continuation of service delivery to the greatest number of its citizens. Public financial management (PFM) is the management of funds used by government to execute public services which include water and sewage, health, waste removal, law enforcement, road improvement, emergency rescue services and education, to name a few.
The Ministry of Finance and the Public Service has the constitutional responsibility to manage the funds collected from taxpayers, funds received from international donor or funding organisations, and as such ensure that those funds are efficiently and effectively utilised so as to maximize the customer-client service experience of all citizens.
The establishment of a strong public financial management system is therefore critical to the Ministry in the execution of its role as manager of the public purse. A good PFM system signals to international donor agencies, that there is a higher level of transparency and accountability and as such, confidence in the management and use of international funds on the prescribed and approved projects are assured.