We have previously recommended that the Department should improve its financial skills and asked what progress had been made.34 The Department had not increased the number of professionally qualified finance staff, and said it was unhappy that the proportion of finance staff with a professional qualification remained at 41%, the same as last year.35 The Army, Navy and Royal Air Force also had staff shortages in their finance sections, with one third of Equipment Plan-related posts vacant. The...

We have previously recommended that the Department should improve its financial skills and asked what progress had been made.34 The Department had not increased the number of professionally qualified finance staff, and said it was unhappy that the proportion of finance staff with a professional qualification remained at 41%, the same as last year.35 The Army, Navy and Royal Air Force also had staff shortages in their finance sections, with one third of Equipment Plan-related posts vacant. The Department said it is seeking to train and recruit staff with finance qualifications but acknowledged that these plans were not moving fast enough. Desp Type: conclusion | Number: 14 | Response status: under_consideration Government response: 6. 1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: March 2023 6.2 Strengthening the financial capabilities within the department is a key part of the department’s Finance Functional Leadership Programme. The departme