Over the last few years, the RIBEC project of the Finance Division has been working, amongst other things, on computerisation of the accounts consolidation task and developing and implementing reporting frameworks consistent with automation of the accounts consolidation process. 

This initiative has been successfully completed at the levels of CGA and CAO offices and one of the main focuses of the current phase of this project is to computerise selected RAO offices and improve the flow and quality of financial information through changes to the existing procedures. 

Major work is also underway in improving bank reconciliation and cash management functions as well as further extension of the Management Accounting concept in line ministries to enhance their financial management function. 

Government Accounts offices throughout the country, under the control of the CGA and reporting accounting information to the CGA for compilation of monthly accounts and Annual Finance and Appropriation Accounts, are deeply and directly involved in achieving the objectives of improving flow and quality of accounting information. 

Excepting officers at the higher supervisory levels, officers of 20 RAOs, 64 DAOs, 400 TAOs, as well as officers working on accounting in the office of the CGA and 20 CAOs, will need additional training on the revised systems currently being developed. 

At a later stage, this training programme will also have to be extended to all the AAOs (around 600) working in the Audit and Accounts Department. A similar training programme will also be developed for relevant SAS Superintendents and Auditors.

This training course is not expected to cover basic accounting and financial management- related topics, as all the officers mentioned above have had training in these skills during their career and have been applying them in their day-to-day work. 

This training programme is focused mainly on new systems and procedures being developed and implemented to improve quality of accounts including bank reconciliation and general appreciation of the application of information technology (IT) in budgeting and accounting. 

Training courses will be organised at FIMA as well as in regionally. 

The objectives of this training are as follows:
 

Imparting training on new systems of accounting, reporting and bank reconciliation.
 

Familiarising participants with the computerised accounts consolidation system.
 

Updating their knowledge on core financial rules and regulations of the Government.
 

Imparting skills in management of change.
 

Providing elementary skills in IT. 

Quality of accounts prepared by CGA will be improved. 
 

Bank reconciliation and cash management function will be streamlined.
 

An awareness will be created about the potential benefits of IT and subsequent reforms in financial management.
 

Overall standards of Government financial management will improve. 
 

TASK training is held 8 times a year for period of 10 days each, at the Financial Management Academy (8th Floor, 1st 12 Storied Government Office Building, Segunbagicha, Dhaka) as well as in regions targeting 240 trainees per annum, i.e 30 trainees in each course. The course is a combination of class lectures with an emphasis on workshops, case-studies, group discussions and presentations ensuring effective participation of the trainees and followed by examination. Successful trainees will be given a completion certificate. 

Initially, AAOs of CGA and RAO offices dealing with accounts, 64 DAOs and 400 TAOs will be given training in phases in consultation with offices of the C&AG and CGA. The location of each course will also be decided in consultation with CGA.

Senior officers of the Audit and Accounts Department and trainers of FIMA and RIBEC PIU will work as resource persons on the course.

Overview of the accounts consolidation system and role of Central Data Processing Unit (CDPU) and Central Reconciliation Unit (CRU).
 

Ensuring the integrity of accounting data, systems and procedures and the new format of reporting of accounting data.
 

Importance of bank reconciliation / cash balancing and the procedures to be followed in improving this important function.
 

New format of monthly accounts and Annual Appropriation and Finance Accounts.
 

Latest rules and procedures relating to the preparation of accounts and overall financial management.
 

Office management skills.
 

Basic skills relating to motivation and change management.
 

Basic IT skills.