The Better Budget Management toolkit aims to raise standards of financial management, specifically in budget setting, monitoring and financial management. It does this by helping the organisation to identify areas of good financial management and areas for improvement. It will provide information the organisation can use to challenge its processes and attitudes to financial management.
In Councils, the Better Budget Management toolkit can be used either independently or with the Strategic Management of Social Care Costs toolkit. Used jointly the toolkits bring together operational and financial decision making to help councils challenge their practices. Used separately they will address specific organisational weakness.
Using the tool
Better Budget Management is an Audit Commission toolkit that can be used flexibly to meet an organisation’s special needs. It starts with an analysis stage that identifies where financial management is likely to be less well developed. The toolkit includes:
- a self-assessment that helps the organisation identify areas that need improvement
- a “SNAP” survey that seeks views from across the organisation
- focus groups
- interviews to test key messages with managers; and
- a workshop to undertake improvement planning
Contact details
Audit Commission,
1st Floor,
Millbank Tower,
Millbank,
London
SW1P 4HQ
Telephone: 0844 798 1212