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CEF Broshure PACT Final NM - 210 X 210 MM - ENG - Web - Pages
CEF Broshure PACT Final NM - 210 X 210 MM - ENG - Web - Pages
CERTIFICATION TRAINING
IN NORTH MACEDONIA
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ABOUT PACT
Public Accountants Certification Training (PACT) is an
internationally recognized professional qualification program
for public sector accountants, which comprises in-class
training, exams and additional capacity development activities.
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PROGRAM CONTENT
CERTIFICATE MODULES DIPLOMA MODULES
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GENERATIONS & DONORS
CERTIFICATE DIPLOMA
AWARDED AWARDED PROJECT
ACCOUNTANTS ACCOUNTANTS DONORS
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FIRST Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Slovenia
through Slovenian Aid
GENERATION
2012/2013 Central European Initiative
Strengthening Accountability
SECOND
10 9
and the Fiduciary Environment
GENERATION (SAFE) Trust Fund of the World Bank
2014/2016 Central European Initiative
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THIRD
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Slovenia
GENERATION through Slovenian Aid
2020/2021
62 IN TOTAL
of North Macedonia supported
all PACT projects through in-kind
contributions.
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PACT PROGRAM
DURING COVID-19
2020–2021
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STRONG COOPERATION WITH LOCAL
INSTITUTIONS AND PARTNERS
The Ministry of Finance, in cooperation with the CEF, is coordinating the PACT
program. Organizing trainings and exams is a good opportunity for public sec-
tor accountants to attend lectures about accrual accounting and applying in-
ternational accounting standards in the public sector.
The training courses and exams for public sector accountants in North Mace-
donia are one of a kind and of high quality. This educational process helps
public sector accountants to advance their way of thinking about the impor-
tance of accounting information for all levels of management, especially for
those who make economic, political and managerial decisions.
The experience that we acquired in the past two years (2020 and 2021) in
coordinating the training activities and exams helped us build and develop the
professional capacities of the Ministry’s staff, which also impacts the results
of our work.
It is a pleasure to work with an institution like the CEF. We learned a lot from
them during the process of organizing training and exams for public sector ac-
countants. We will apply the acquired skills, knowledge and experience in the
new training programs that we will be implementing independently and locally
through the Academy for Public Finance.
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It is my pleasure to witness the fruits of The CIPFA is thrilled to be supporting the PACT program in
Slovenian support for North Macedonia, North Macedonia, which has now been successfully deliv-
not just in political terms but with concrete ered for three generations at the certificate level, and one
activities in very practical areas. Training of generation at the diploma level. We see the PACT program
public accountants is important for the institutions and as an important means of both developing the capacity of public sec-
individuals who are the main beneficiaries of the proj- tor officials and implementing reforms in the sector, especially when it
ect and also for the general trust of the public in the comes to public sector accounting.
functioning of the state.
Jointly with the CEF, we’ve been able to provide the opportunity for
The Slovenian international development cooperation public sector accountants to further train and develop their skills, all
has in the past 11 years financially supported numer- while building upon their professional qualifications and foundational
ous projects in North Macedonia in various fields, in an knowledge.
overall value of around EUR 26 million. No other coun-
try in the Western Balkans, except for Bosnia and Her- During the last iteration of training, we partnered with the CEF not only
zegovina, has in the past decade received such amount on training delivery, but also on an array of complementary activities.
of our development assistance, largely focused on the We had the opportunity to share knowledge about how financial and
areas that are at the forefront of the EU accession pro- management accounting can support better decision making amid the
cess. Covid-19 pandemic with accountants first hand. For the first time, we
delivered a joint conference with the CEF, Supporting Accounting and
I am happy that the PACT project in North Macedonia Auditing Developments and Synergies, in the summer of 2021. The
reached its successful completion, with 19 students conference combined both North Macedonian and international exper-
gaining certificates. There is no doubt that the knowl- tise in this field.
edge obtained by those participating in the training will
bring valuable progress to the sphere of public sector We have been delighted to continue our collaboration with the CEF to
accounting. Furthermore, this project also supports the deliver excellence in IPSAS training and qualifications. We are proud
needed reform processes in the country and thus con- to award our certificates to the successful participants of the program
tributes to the fulfillment of EU pre-accession terms. and we congratulate them on their excellent results.
8
Finalizing the implementation of the PACT program in North Macedonia in
2021, the same year that the CEF is celebrating its 20 years of existence,
has a certain symbolic value. For two decades, the CEF has been cooper-
ating with North Macedonia in many projects and activities.
The PACT program pays attention to many areas that support the successful im-
plementation of public sector reforms. First, it ensures the local sustainability of
the project by creating a pool of trained lecturers and students, who can later on
implement localized training for all public accountants. Second, it aligns training
with national legislation, combining the best international practices and national
perspectives of regulating public sector accounting. Third, it develops the local ca-
pacity to independently run the program by training a local institution and individu-
als, and working closely with the Ministry of Finance of North Macedonia to ensure
strong ownership of this process.
This iteration of the PACT project came with new challenges for the CEF, the public sec-
tor in North Macedonia, and the entire world. We started to carry out the project when
the outbreak of Covid-19 stopped regular life. This required us to be agile and adjust to
the circumstances. We had to implement new ways of communication and learning to
all of our planned activities. Today, I am proud to say that this is the first generation of
PACT students that had the opportunity to be trained online, keeping connections with
colleagues and tutors when it was almost impossible to meet them in person.
On behalf of the CEF team, I congratulate the students, tutors, the Ministry of Fi-
nance, and everybody else involved in the training on their results, dedication and
hard work in times of uncertainty.
JANA REPANŠEK
Director
CEF
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PACT PROGRAM IN ONLINE
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
The first thing we did was to completely change the lecturing format. Instead of
in-class training, together with the tutors, we developed online learning elements:
webinars, video lectures, quizzes, assignments and learning materials. Through-
out the learning units, students studying various modules had the opportunity to
check their knowledge and progress, and distribute their time for learning. At we-
binars, they were building a network with other colleagues, discussing the most
challenging units and preparing for exam sitting.
Now, after more than a year of implementing the program, we can take a break
and celebrate our achievements. This applies to all involved with the program: stu-
dents, tutors, partners, colleagues. Although this was something new for all of us,
not only we successfully completed the first online delivery of the PACT program,
but are also richer with a new experience that will help us face future challenges.
JOVANA KOLOSKI
PACT North Macedonia Project Manager
CEF
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3 13 40 89
ONLINE WEEKS HOURS
MODULES OF ONLINE LEARNING WEBINARS OF VIDEO MATERIAL
11 PACT TUTORS
NATIONAL
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
LEGISLATION
ACCOUNTING ACCOUNTING
AND TAXATION
BOBAN PAUNOV
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VALUABLE SUPPORT
OF LOCAL EXPERTS
ATANASKO ATANASOVSKI
Tutor and Co-leader for Financial Accounting
Assistant Professor
Faculty of Economics, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University
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In my capacity as head of the sector for EU-IPA funds manage-
ment in the Ministry of Finance, I had the opportunity to par-
ticipate in the PACT training program, and acquire a CIPFA in-
ternational certificate in 2015 and a CIPFA international public
sector accounting diploma in 2016.
Obtaining these certificates was not easy but my motivation was great,
knowing that the program had been developed by the CIPFA, an interna-
tional accountancy membership and standard-setting body. Taking part
in these trainings helped me acquire competences and knowledge of the
rules, international standards and practical requirements regarding ac-
counting and financial regulations of PFM. This helped me better under-
stand and apply more appropriately the international accounting rules, and
make proposals for increasing the compliance of the national legislation
with the international standards and rules in the area of accounting and
public finance.
The particular impression that the trainings organized jointly by the CIPFA
and the CEF left on me was the top-notch professionalism in delivering
more or less the same extent of materials online, including the combination
of international and national rules. The selection of trainers was excellent;
they gave timely answers to every question, addressed any lack of clarity for
the students, and estimated students’ knowledge and skills following the
highest standards and rules.
FATMIR ADEMI
PACT Student and Junior Tutor for Management Accounting
14
The motto I follow is: never stop learning and success will inevitably come.
I have always known how to seize all opportunities in education, and in
this case, it was through the PACT program, provided by the CEF, the CIPFA
and the Ministry of Finance of North Macedonia.
I came across the PACT program for the first time as a student. I have significantly
enriched my experience and knowledge in the field of accounting, primarily in rela-
tion to IPSAS standards. The prompt reactions and response by the lecturers, who
were always open for communication, ready to offer advice and share their knowledge
– not only in the context of a particular subject but also within all spheres of their
competence – are praiseworthy. The key to success, however, is the dedication of the
students to the program, as well as the collegiality and collaboration among them.
The most impressive to me was the process of learning through specific case scenari-
os, examples and exercises, the contemporary literature and the excellent theoretical
background provided, and the continuous exchange of knowledge and experience
with the lecturers and the other students in the group.
The excellent results that I had demonstrated in the past as a student, contributed to
my engagement as a junior tutor in the PACT program. Thus, I have further enriched
my professional resume and opened up a leeway for new achievements.
The first time I got a chance to be a tutor, I decided not to miss this opportunity. The
experience acquired is tremendous, whereas the challenge and pleasure to pass on
knowledge to someone else and help them develop in their professional life is priceless.
Most importantly, under the PACT program, I had the opportunity to establish both
professional and friendly relations with a large network of inspiring, creative and ded-
icated professionals, with whom I hope to continue successful and profound future
cooperation.
To all those who consider getting involved in the PACT program - I would recommend
not to hesitate to do so, because it is about investing in yourself. You cannot make
any mistakes by taking this chance. All goals are achievable with committed and per-
sistent work.
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WHAT PARTICIPANTS
SAY ABOUT PACT
Being part of the PACT program has been one of the best
opportunities given to us for learning during my ten years
of experience in the payment and accounting unit, serving
the financial public sector. It has been a privilege to learn
from successful professors and administrators, although the way of
communication due to the Covid-19 circumstances has been quite
challenging and nonsocial.
The program was cleverly divided into three sessions. First, we worked
on financial accounting, then managerial accounting and eventually
the legislation in North Macedonia. Although much of what we did was
part of our day-to-day work in the public accounting sector, I have to
admit that there was also a lot of material that added well to our exist-
ing knowledge.
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My participation as a student in the PACT program provided me with a
good opportunity to acquire new and additional knowledge in the field
of financial and management accounting, as well as the overall legal
framework and applicable national legislation in North Macedonia.
I would like to emphasize the part of the training that covered financial account-
ing. We studied international accounting standards to learn more about accrual
accounting and the difference with cash-based accounting, which is currently used
in our national system, including how to record, classify and summarize business
transactions and compile financial statements from these records. In the area of
management accounting, the study of theories and techniques related to plan-
ning, decision-making and control contributed to better understanding how to pre-
pare plans, analyses and reports on operating with budget funds.
The teaching process was online due to the Covid-19 measures, without any phys-
ical interaction or personal networking with other participants – a new experience
for all of us who attended the training in a combined manner, with video presen-
tations and live lectures. This had its advantage – we could watch all the presen-
tations again at any time and for an unlimited number of times. Moreover, we
had the privilege of being educated by top experts and professionals in their field,
including university professors and the Chief Auditor General.
I would like to thank all the tutors who invested their knowledge and time to help
us master the subject easily, during the entire period of preparation, primarily
through electronic communication. The exams were a challenge for me, given the
difficulty of the tasks/questions and the time required to solve them, but I did my
best while testing my knowledge and speed.
ZORAN JOVANOVSKI
PACT Student
Head of the Department for Financial and Material Operations
Higher Administrative Court Skopje
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My first experience with the CEF and the CIPFA was the PACT
program that took place in September 2020. Being a PACT stu-
dent in the first generation of online students was a very useful
and rare experience for me. Learning with virtual tools and hav-
ing online lessons with tutors on the Webex platform during the pandemic
outbreak and isolation period was a great challenge for all of us.
The PACT program consists of three parts: financial accounting, cost ac-
counting and a national module with the current legislation. Together these
parts complement the framework for a successful certified public sector
accountant. The program requires students to commit significant time to
continuous learning: doing homework and preparing before the start of
each session. The workbooks were very extensive and prepared public
sector accountants for the transition from cash-based to accrual-based
accounting.
For us, students, mastering the exam materials was much easier with ad-
vice from top university professors and former students who have become
tutors. The exams taught me to be fast, efficient and accurate in drawing
conclusions and solving logical problems that every accountant faces in
performing their job tasks.
NADICA TOSHEVA
PACT Student
Senior Auditor
Municipality of Veles
19
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COMPLEMENTARY KNOWLEDGE
SHARING ACTIVITIES
The Covid-19 pandemic has underlined the importance of public sector accounting for efficient
PFM, and the significance of networking and sharing experience and challenges with accountants
in the region.
We aimed to provide additional learning and knowledge-sharing opportunities to public sector ac-
countants and other officials. In cooperation with the CIPFA and local and international experts,
we explored different formats of learning. Accountants had a chance to gain new knowledge of
different topics and activities, which empowered their role in the Covid-19 recovery process and
reform implementation.
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E V ENT S ORG A N I Z E D
We discussed how knowledge obtained The conference brought together accoun- The training combined theory with prac-
through financial and management ac- tants and auditors working at ministries tice and international with regional and lo-
counting helps accountants in: of finance and line ministries, and repre- cal aspects, giving participants insight into
• Recognizing the value of reconciliations sentatives of supreme audit institutions, challenges and opportunities in the local
and controls over financial information human resource managers and the aca- environment.
• Ensuring accountability and preparing demia, and other public officials whose
clear and complete records and state- work relates to the topics discussed: Public sector accountants had a chance to:
ments of activities for internal and ex- • Managing public sector assets • Discuss with experts and peers the
ternal scrutiny • Fraud & anti-corruption policies challenges, boundaries and opportuni-
• Recognizing how to match the informa- • Leadership for reforms ties of applying IPSAS standards in the
tion in order to assess relevant activities • Promoting accountants’ and auditors’ local and regional environment
• Understanding asset valuation and re- learning and knowledge sharing • Learn about the requirements and ben-
cording of payments and receipts efits of accrual-based accounting
• Developing attitude towards risk and its Organized as a hybrid event, it served as a • Increase their understanding of the use
influence on decision making platform for exchanging expert knowledge, and impact of specific international ac-
• Improving inventory management and experience, best practices, and recom- counting standards
procurements mendations to public sector accountants.
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PROJECT D O N O R S
This brochure is a result of the project Public Accountants Certification Training in North Macedonia (PACT NMAC 3), financially supported by the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Slovenia, through Slovenian Aid. Ministry of Finance of North Macedonia and the CEF supported the project through in-kind contributions.
Statements expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the CEF, the institutions and governments of countries represented.
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