Challenges in curriculum development process aimed at revising the capabilities of future public financial managers

Abstract

Traditionally, civil servants and public officials are highly educated and have strong administrative expertise. Public financial managers have been regarded as ‘guardians of the public purse’, who have solid budgeting, accounting and auditing skills. However, the development of ‘mega-trends’ such as digitalization and e-government affect the future of the public sector by challenging the traditional competencies of public managers. This paper examines an attempt to redefine the capabilities of future public financial managers as part of the curriculum development process at Tampere University, Finland. The study reflects the tensions and institutional pressures between what is traditionally taught and what will be needed in the public sector in the future. Although in our teaching we emphasise the constant changes happening in public administration, we may be failing to provide our students with the broader skills they will need for dealing with the dynamics of change in a complex working environment.