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Managing Public Finance - MAN00059M

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  • Department: The York Management School
  • Module co-ordinator: KL538
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2022-23

Module aims

This module provides an introduction to the management of public finances. As governments face both increasing financial pressure and growing demands for their services, it is vital for all students of public administration and management to understand both the context and management of public money.


The aims of the module are to examine the academic theory, policy and practice that relate to the management of public finances. The module combines an examination of both the economic perspective and rationale for government spending together with a financial management perspective on issues such as resources allocation, accountability and value for money.


The module will reflect an international context by examining the policies of a range of countries as well as a critical consideration of developments in global initiatives emanating from bodies such as the OECD, IMF and World Bank.

Module learning outcomes

  • Be able to define public finance
  • Be able to discuss the controversies and challenges around the role of government in public finance
  • Be able to understand and explain market and government failure and how they relate to public finance
  • Have a good understanding of the main features and principles of fiscal policies, i.e. revenue, expenditure and budget policy and process
  • Describe the evolution and the features of public sector management and accountability and its impact upon the effectiveness of financial management

Assessment

None

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

None

Module feedback

Assessment: written feedback in Week 7 of the Term in which the Essay was submitted;
Reassessment: written feedback in Week 10 of the Term in which the Reassessment Essay was submitted.

Indicative reading

  • Bandy, Gary ( 2014) Financial Management and Accounting in the Public Sector, Second edition. Routledge
  • Barr, N. (2012) Economics of the Welfare State, 5th edition, Oxford University Press
  • Ulbrich, Holley H. (2011) Public Finance in Theory and Practice Second Edition, Routledge.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.