Financial Introduction to Local Council Administration (FILCA)

HomeFinancial Introduction to Local Council Administration (FILCA)

Essential finance

The Financial Introduction to Local Council Administration (FILCA) is a Level 2, online sector specific learning tool to support all new Responsible Financial Officers (RFO’s) in England and Wales (or officers who have a financial element to their job role). The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to council finance.

£120 + VAT for members and non-members.

When registering….

Important: Please ensure that, when you register for FILCA online, you login and register for yourself and not on behalf of someone else.

If you have a colleague who wishes to register for FILCA please ask them to setup a user account here.

‘An excellent course for people starting out in these roles with no knowledge and also for intermediate people like myself who ‘think’ they know and need that crucial detail and additional guidance that is paramount to moving on in my development.’ Adam Lowe, Councillor, Oakham Town Council

‘Although I have worked at Blandford Forum Town Council for over 17 years, I have been a clerk without the role of RFO and had limited involvement in all of the financial workings of the council. I wanted to test/improve my knowledge on it and was keen to work through the modules. I found it really interesting and – although I was pleased at the amount of knowledge I had – I also learnt a lot and it wasn’t time consuming. I liked the layout of the course and the separation of the modules and would recommend it to any officers at town and parish councils.’ Linda Scott-Giles PSLCC, Town Clerk, Blandford Forum Town Council

What will I learn?

The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to the work of an RFO. The course is in five modules based on the annual round of financial activities.

1. Roles & Responsibilities
Occupational standards
The role
The legal framework
Values
Calendar
Resources
Assessment

2. Budget and Precept
The budget
The precept
Constructing the budget
Making budget decisions
Monitoring the budget
Resources
Assessment

3. Systems & Procedures
Proper practices
The council’s financial regulations
The cash book
Spending
Income
Banking
Investments
Payroll
Resources
Assessment

4. Internal Control and VAT
The council’s duty
Implementing the duty
Separation of responsibilities
The management of risk
Insurance
The internal audit
Reviewing the systems
VAT
Reclaiming VAT
Resources
Assessment

5. External Audit and the Year End
External audit
Exempt councils (not applicable to FILCA Wales)
Public rights
The AGAR (FILCA England) / The Annual Return (FILCA Wales)
The Statement of Accounts
Annual accounts
Resources
Assessment

How will I learn?

The course has five modules. Each module contains several sections and pages of activities, questions and explanations.
To gain a certificate and 8 CPD points you must pass the Assessment. You can have one attempt at each of two tests and pass a test with a score of 80%.

How long will it take?

FILCA can be studied intensively over a few days or by doing up to one module a month; it’s up to you. As soon as payment has been received and processed, you will have access to the online course for twelve months. If you do not complete the assessment within this limit, access to the course is removed. You might start as soon as you can and keep momentum going.

If you have any questions about the qualification please contact Serena Sunderland, filca@slcc.co.uk