Technology is key to harnessing government organisations’ current and future requirements to effectively manage, deliver, and exceed the expectations of citizens and stakeholders. Data and digital transformation will be at the heart of success and sustainability as local governments empower their citizens and finance teams towards increased collaboration, change management, and better community services.
Business partnering is a reference for good governance in the digital marketplace, whether it is between internal departments or with other agencies, commercial vendors, or citizens using the service or facilitating service processes and disruption solutions. Beyond its immediately recognisable benefits, the use of technology provides a foundation for innovation, improves cybersecurity, and projects transparency, transformation, and talent management into the future.
Government finance functions have a significant and innovative role to play in driving efficient, sustainable services that meet public needs. Whether for a small municipal entity, a large metropolitan government or something in between, success is exemplified and made measurable through the resource efficiencies, cost savings, and economic development generated when new data technologies are successfully employed.
As finance leaders ― often management accountants — are increasingly empowered to act on information provided through the use of technology, success will be measured by the scale of citizen benefit. Cross-functional working is crucial to success: As with all infrastructure projects, engineering the future can only be achieved through a co-operative partnership approach.
Look for the second instalment of this topic, which addresses the future view of communication, strategy and cybersecurity in technology.