Public Sector Financial Management

Subject 333-635 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 36 hours per semester (Semester 2).
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: This subject is only available to those students that would satisfy the entry criteria for the Master of Financial Management, Postgraduate Diploma in Finance and ANZSOG Executive Master of Public Administration.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Subject Overview: The structure of public sector finances; public sector financial accounting; the budget process; cash management and loan raising; public trading enterprises efficiency and accountability; pricing policies; revenue raising; investment appraisal.
Assessment: A 3-hour end-of-semester examination (60%) and assignments totalling not more than 4000 words (40%).
Prescribed Texts: None
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
  • Interpret and analyze public sector financial accounts
  • Explain important characteristics of the Budget process
  • Apply finance principles to the evaluation of public sector projects
  • Explain key features of public sector financing
  • Assess financial performance in public sector enterprises

On successful completion of this subject, students should have improved the following generic skills:

  • Oral communication
  • Written communication
  • Collaborative learning
  • Problem solving
  • Team work
  • Statistical reasoning
  • Application of theory to practice
  • Interpretation and analysis
  • Critical thinking
  • Synthesis of data and other information
  • Evaluation of data and other information
  • Using computer software
  • Accessing data and other information from a range of sources
Notes: This subject is available to students enrolled in the Postgraduate Diploma in Finance or the Master of Financial Management, and ANZSOG Executive Master of Public Administration.
Related Course(s): Master of Financial Management
Postgraduate Diploma in Finance

Download PDF version.