We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing experience.

Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies.

Set cookie preferences

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Publication - Advice and guidance

Scottish Public Finance Manual

Last updated
19 March 2025 - see all updates
Directorate
Financial Management Directorate
Topic
Money and tax, Public sector

The Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM) is issued by the Scottish Ministers to provide guidance on the proper handling and reporting of public funds.

Supporting documents

FGN 2025/02 SPFM amendments: March 2025

FGN2025/02 SPFM amendments: March 2025

The purpose of this note is to announce recent amendments to the Scottish Public Finance Manual (SPFM), specifically the following sections:

  • foreword and scope of the SPFM:
  • accountability (and related annexes)
  • risk management
  • subsidy control

These amendments have been made in line with recommendations from the Strategic Review of the SPFM and involve the above sections being updated to clarify wording, introduce a refreshed standard layout which clearly identifies the contents, legislation and applicability, with guidance and detailed procedures related specifically to Core Scottish Government being relocated to more appropriate locations. This Financial Guidance Note will signal the beginning of all sections of the SPFM being updated using this format and structure throughout 2025-26.

Key changes

1. Foreword and scope of the SPFM

Key changes include:

 2. Accountability

Key changes include:

  • the Accountability section has been clarified to ensure that the principles are appropriately articulated and aligned to best practice.
  • more detailed process and guidance, such as the procedures for the withdrawal of sponsored body Accountable Officer status, have been removed to a more appropriate intranet location. This is aligned to the UK and Welsh Government approach to their equivalent Managing Public Money (MPM) and Managing Welsh Public Money (MWPM) respectively.
  • greater clarity on the principles and expectations of Accountable Officers including the AO standards, the need for AO assessments and clarification on written authority request process
  • inclusion of  feasibility as part of the value for money tests, making this explicit within the SPFM.
  • standardised layout applied to the section highlighting relevant legislation, applicability and a standardised wording introduced to improve clarity

3.  Risk management

Key changes include:

  • the Risk section has been updated to ensure that the principles are appropriately articulated.
  • standardised layout applied to the section highlighting relevant legislation, applicability and a standardised wording introduced to improve clarity
  • more detailed process and guidance moved to the correct online intranet locations. This is aligned to the UK and Welsh Government approach to their equivalent Managing Public Money (MPM) and Managing Welsh Public Money (MWPM) respectively.

4. Subsidy control

Key changes include:

  • the Subsidy section has been refocussed to ensure that the principles are appropriately aligned to the Subsidy Control Act 2022
  • standardised layout applied to the section highlighting relevant legislation, applicability and a standardised wording introduced to improve clarity
First published
23 August 2024
Last updated
19 March 2025 - show all updates

  1. Updates to wording of Annex 2 Internal control checklist for Certificates of Assurance.

  2. New FGN note added - FGN 2025/03 financial memoranda that accompany Scottish Government bills.

  3. Updates to the following sections following SPFM Strategic Review: Foreword, Accountability (and annexes), risk and subsidy Control. Also the addition of FGN 2025/02 explaining the updates

  4. Link in point 23 of Settlement, Severance, Early Retirement, Redundancy section updated.

  5. numbering in Annex 2 Internal control checklist for Certificates of Assurance updated due to a typo

  6. Updated Annex 2 Internal control checklist for Certificates of Assurance, added FGN 2025/01 re CoA checklist and added in a word version of the checklist.

  7. updated missing text in document SPFM - Non-Ministerial Offices model framework document July 2024.

  8. Adding in FGN 2024/03 re the updated AO Spend Control Template and Guidance.

  9. Updating the SRO Appointment letter in the documents section to include a point on construction projects in the Annex.

  10. Executive agencies model framework document updated.

  11. Non-Ministerial Offices model framework document updated.

  12. Updating the SRO Appointment letter in the documents section to this years dates

  13. Updated link to 'On Board: A Guide for Members of Statutory Boards' within Governance statements chapter.

  14. Updates made to model framework document templates.

  15. Updates made to text within Procurement chapter.

  16. Replaced non-ministerial office model framework document and advisory non-departmental public bodies model framework with updated versions.

  17. Document updated with an additional date - Settlement Agreement supporting documentation - final confirmation of terms

  18. Replaced Non-Ministerial Offices model framework document

  19. Updates to the Settlement, Severance, Early Retirement and Redundancy section. The main section and Annex's A, B C have all been updated along with updated documents and a Finance Guidance Note to explain the changes

  20. Updated the Certificates of Assurance chapter, Annex 2 with the CoA checklist questions for 2023/24 and added a Finance Guidance note outling the changes.

  21. Updates made to proportionate due diligence wording, Accountable Officer tests guidance, risk exposure guidance, public bodies duties, monitoring and management, exit arrangements.

  22. Procurement chapter updated.

  23. Updated 'Major investment projects' paragraph 12 and the SRO appointment letter.

Back to top