Bid-rigging drives up contract costs, cheating buyers into paying more than they should. But procurers can detect the tricks and frustrate this practice
Many readers entered our quiz but only 13 of you spotted our trick questions and got every answer right. Congratulations to Ian Riley, whose name was first out of the hat and who wins £150 in M...
Chief financial officers should get a full picture of the financial performance throughout their organisations to ensure accountability and to prepare for change
The gap between demands on the NHS and the finances to pay for it is widening. Can getting financial and clinical staff to think as a team help to bridge it?
Applicants for interim roles – whether providing specialist expertise or covering a vacant post – need certain qualities to succeed and even leave a legacy
With developers and private landlords failing to provide enough suitable homes, councils are setting up housing companies to build homes of different tenures and costs
Auditors general from around the world will gather in Abu Dhabi for the congress of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions in December. PF asked six of them to share their hopes...
Lack of sleep is an organisational issue as it can damage both individual performance and workplace relationships. Managers need to address it in themselves and their teams
Sustainable cities are about more than cutting carbon emissions – they involve thinking about how people live, travel and interact with the natural world. Ahead of the UN’s Habitat III...
Traditional humanitarian responses to global crises are underfunded and often miss their mark. As new donors emerge and the benefits of more local approaches are recognised, does the western aid...
Arts and culture are often early victims of council cuts. However, many authorities are now wising up to the fact that cultural activities can be sound investments, bringing economic benefits and...
Setting up a trading company to provide services is one way to reduce costs, and several matters need to be considered to ensure your company is viable and a success
Whether you are starting out or experienced, it pays to enhance your profile to attract employers’ attention. There are plenty of tricks to make yourself more visible
The cost of fraud is far higher than previous estimates, and procurement accounts for most of this. With cuts to internal audit and procurement teams focused on savings, local authorities need all...
Manchester’s city leaders are eager to show local people that devolution is making a difference by improving services. However, without quick results and a reasonably strong local economy, the...
Any grant-awarding body can be subject to fraud, which may damage service delivery and public trust. Putting safeguards in place can help to protect against this
Hundreds of infrastructure projects are in the pipeline for the next five years. However, some have become mired in delays, and more are needed beyond 2021 to inspire industry confidence
Under EU rules, certain public sector contracts have to be advertised across Europe, although there is flexibility to give local providers an advantage. Would Brexit change how procurement is carried...
The public sector has a duty to ensure equality, yet few women and people from ethnic minority backgrounds are reaching the upper echelons of public finance. What can be done to change this?
