PART 1: PEFA OVERVIEW 

 

1.1. Introduction

The Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) program provides a framework for assessing and reporting on the strengths and weaknesses of public financial management (PFM) using quantitative indicators to measure performance. PEFA is designed to provide a snapshot of PFM performance at specific points in time using a methodology that can be replicated in successive assessments, giving a summary of changes over time. The PEFA framework includes a report that provides an overview of the PFM system and evidence-based measurement against 31 performance indicators. It also provides an assessment of the implications for overall system performance and desirable public financial management outcomes. It provides a foundation for reform planning, dialogue on strategy and priorities, and progress monitoring.

PEFA is a tool that helps governments achieve sustainable improvements in PFM practices by providing a means to measure and monitor performance against a set of indicators across the range of important public financial management institutions, systems, and processes. The PEFA methodology draws on international standards and good practices on crucial aspects of PFM, as identified by experienced practitioners. PEFA incorporates a PFM performance report for the subject government that presents evidence-based indicator scores and analyzes the results based on existing evidence. It emphasizes a country-led approach to performance improvement and the alignment of stakeholders around common goals.

PEFA reports outline the economic environment faced by the public sector, examine the nature of policy-based strategy and planning, and analyze how budget decisions are implemented. PEFA assessments examine the controls used by governments to ensure that resources are obtained and used as intended. PEFA provides a framework for assessment of transparency and accountability in terms of access to information, reporting and audit, and dialogue on PFM policies and actions. PEFA considers the institutions, laws, regulations, and standards used by governments in the PFM process. It also examines the results arising from the operation of PFM in key areas such as budget outturns, effectiveness of controls, and timeliness of reporting and audit.

Governments use PEFA to obtain a snapshot of their own PFM performance. PEFA offers a common basis for examining PFM performance across national and subnational governments. In addition to governments, other users of PEFA include civil society organizations and international development institutions. PEFA scores and reports allow all users of the information to gain a quick overview of the strengths and weaknesses of a country’s PFM system. Users also see the implications of the overall performance results for the key goals of fiscal discipline, strategic resource allocation, and efficient service delivery. The PEFA analysis thereby contributes to dialogue on the need and priorities for PFM reform.

In addition to guidance for analysis and reporting, the PEFA program provides support, monitoring, and analysis of PEFA assessments. The PEFA Secretariat offers free advice on the use of PEFA as one of many sources of information for examining and improving PFM performance. This PEFA 2016 framework document provides an overview of the main features of the PEFA performance assessment framework, including scope of the framework, basic methodology for measuring PFM performance, and an outline for the content of PEFA reports. More detailed guidance for governments, project managers, assessors, and users of PEFA reports is provided on the PEFA website: www.pefa.org. Additional information on arrangements for transition from the 2011 version, specific matters relating to subnational government assessments, as well as other information is also available on the website.