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Publication - Advice and guidance

Scottish Public Finance Manual

Last updated
17 March 2026 - 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 2026/02 SPFM May 2026 Amendments

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

  • Certificates of Assurance
  • Delegated Authority
  • Audit Committees
  • Fraud
  • Governance Statement

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.

Key Changes:

1. Certificates of Assurance

Key changes include:

  • The section has been clarified to ensure that the principles are appropriately articulated and aligned to best practice.
  • Standardised layout applied to the section highlighting relevant legislation, applicability and a standardised wording introduced to improve clarity.

2. Delegated Authority

Key changes include:

  • The section has been clarified to ensure that the principles are appropriately articulated and aligned to best practice.
  • Standardised layout applied to the section highlighting relevant legislation, applicability and a standardised wording introduced to improve clarity.
  • Highlighting links to Certificates of Assurance and Accountability sections of the SPFM.
  • Updating the information of the 2026/27 Scheme of Delegation.

​​​​​​​3. Audit Committees

Key changes include:

  • The 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.
  • Changing the name to Audit and Assurance Committees to better link to the updated handbooks.
  • Highlighting links to the SG and HM Treasury handbooks.

​​​​​​​4. Fraud

Key changes include:

  • The 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.
  • Highlighting links to further guidance.

​​​​​​​5. Governance Statement

Key changes include:

  • The 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.
  • Highlighting links to further guidance on the SG website and within the Annual Accounts, Accountability, Certificates of Assurance and Risk Management sections of the SPFM.
First published
3 July 2025
Last updated
17 March 2026 - show all updates

  1. Update to the contact page for the SPFM

  2. Updated links in the Internal Audit section and the Major Investment section.

  3. Adding in Finance guidance note 2026/01 re 2025/26 CoA.

  4. Updating the CoA checklist for 2025/26

  5. Correcting a typo in the Major investment section.

  6. Update to Major Investment section - removal of expired links to a Risk Potential Assessment (RPA) form.

  7. Update to the Major Investment Section to remove 2 paragraphs re IIB.

  8. Further text update to Annex 2 in the Counter Fraud section.

  9. Text updates to the Counter Fraud section: Fraud, Annex 1, Annex 2 and Appendix 1. Also unpublished Annex 3 and Appendix 4.

  10. Paragraph added at the start of Annex B: investment in businesses by Scottish Ministers, part of the Borrowing, lending and Investment section.

  11. Updates to the Property, acquisition, disposal and Management section in line with the SPFM Strategic Review and request to take off line FGN 2024/03 AO Spend Control

  12. Update to a link in the Major Investments section and the addition of FGN 2025/04 and FGN 2025/05.

  13. Update to Major investment section - adding in a section on Digital Portfolio.

  14. Updated links for all framework templates linked in the Accountability section.

  15. Updates include the addition of annexes A, B, C and D. Annexes in the Delegated Authority section.

  16. Update to footnote in the borrowing, lending, and investment section.

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

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

  19. 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

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

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

  22. 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.

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

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

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

  26. Executive agencies model framework document updated.

  27. Non-Ministerial Offices model framework document updated.

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

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

  30. Updates made to model framework document templates.

  31. Updates made to text within Procurement chapter.

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

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

  34. Replaced Non-Ministerial Offices model framework document

  35. 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

  36. 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.

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

  38. Procurement chapter updated.

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

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