A project conducted jointly with non-profit technology advisers EduServ found that although the majority of organisations recognise the need to transform digitally, significant challenges remain.
These included old, legacy IT systems, staff capabilities and financial constraints.
Organisation-wide engagement, good leadership and risk management were essential to successful digital transformation.
Jude Sheeran, Eduserv chief executive, said finance leaders needed to be at the heart of digital programme management but should not be expected to be experts.
“Our research shows that finance professionals see a priority in forming partnerships with IT leaders and the corporate leadership team. “Through the resulting convergence of business and technology, we hope to see dramatic improvements in the relevance, quality and cost of public services at the dawn of a truly digital age.”
CIPFA chief executive Rob Whiteman added: “Digital technology is advancing at an increasingly rapid pace and public service providers must adapt to and adopt these changes if they are to remain relevant, optimal and sustainable.”
The findings are published in Finance’s role in public sector transformation and follow a programme of round tables and a survey of over 230 finance professionals.
