Achieving the Benefits That Introducing PFM/IC Can Generate and Accounting for the Costs

For the PFM/IC reform to be successful an appreciation of the benefits of the reform is essential. These are described in this chapter. These benefits do not arise simply from the technical reforms that accompany the implementation of PFM/IC but rather from the managerial improvements that PFM/IC makes possible. This again emphasises the managerial implications of the reform. Of course, as with any reform there are costs and the sources of those costs are also described. The extent of those costs will depend upon the basis from which the reform is developed and how the reform is to be implemented. If, for example, a well functioning managerial structure already exists then the costs will be less than would otherwise likely need to be incurred. Each country adopting the reform will need to make its own judgement about the benefits and costs of the reform, bearing in mind that costs will need to be incurred ‘upfront’ with the benefits accruing largely over time. This in turn will affect decisions about how those costs are to be financed such as from development aid funds or from ‘own’ budgets, or both.