Alyson Stafford
The Finance Directorate headed by Alyson Stafford has a key role in helping Ministers arrive at decisions on strategic and in year spending priorities as well as providing the corporate framework within which spending is incurred, monitored and reported.
The main functions of the Directorate include:
- negotiating and monitoring the funding policy under which the Assigned Budget of the Scottish Administration is determined;
- scrutinising and challenging expenditure proposals to monitor the regularity and propriety of the use of resources and the achievement of value for money;
- ensuring that resource implications and other financial considerations are properly taken into account in all policy proposals;
- issuing, and advising on the application of, financial and accounting guidance;
- advising on financial relationships with sponsored bodies;
- monitoring overall expenditure in-year and advising on the management of authorised budgets;
- maintaining robust accounting and financial management systems;and
- preparing the statutory annual accounts and providing assurance on the system of internal control.
Our Goal
To secure the best possible services from the Scottish Government Budget in order to achieve the Government's overall purpose and outcomes.
Objectives
- work corporately across the Scottish Government to maximise sustainable outcomes within the budget authorised by the Scottish Parliament.
- ensure best practice in effective and efficient delivery of the Government's financial systems, budget processes, reporting, accounting and governance standards, and internal audit services.
- work jointly with colleagues across Government to develop a range of innovative funding solutions that secures quality and value for money in the Government's infrastructure investment programme.