Published on: Friday 3rd July, 2015 Advanced Authority website launched to provide expert advice for councils

Advanced Business Solutions (Advanced) will launch its new information hub, The Advanced Authority, designed to provide a single resource for all areas of local government technology, at the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accounting (CIPFA) Annual Conference. Advanced will also be demonstrating its leading budgeting and forecasting solution Collaborative Planning, on stand 34 at the show on 8th - 9th July 2015 (Novotel London West Hotel).

The Advanced Authority (www.theadvancedauthority.com) provides advice and guidance on how software can support every function of a local authority to efficiently work together, from HR and payroll, to education, finance, procurement and social care.

Collaboration, internally between departments and externally between councils sharing services, is becoming more prevalent as organisations continue to deal with cuts to public sector budgets. According to the Local Government Association, the number of shared services of all kinds has increased from 220 saving £165m a year in 2012, to 416 saving £462m annually this year*.

Two of Advanced's local authority customers, Graham Jermy, Senior Accountant - Budgeting & Accounting Corporate Finance Team, Norfolk County Council, and Owen Sparks, Operations Manager, oneSource - working on behalf of Havering and Newham Councils, will be co-hosting a workshop, 'Managing your budget: Excel to Excellence', at the event at 1.30pm on Wednesday, 8th July (Workshop 1B).

They will discuss their own experiences in using Collaborative Planning to deliver best practice with their financial planning, budgeting and forecasting processes by introducing a unified approach to budget management.

Collaborative Planning is a web-based solution that integrates with all leading financial management systems and is currently used by more than 50 local authorities. The solution automates financial management, improves financial transparency and control whilst devolving greater budget responsibility to managers.

Dean Dickinson, Managing Director, Advanced Business Solutions (Public Sector & Enterprise Division), says, "It has never been more important for local authority finance teams and departmental managers tomaintain tight control of their budgets. A joined up approach to financial management can be the key to transforming inefficient processes and systems into a streamlined operation that delivers tangible cost savings."

"We are looking forward to giving delegates the chance to hear first-hand how our customers have achieved significant productivity gains by working collaboratively."

The annual conference is expected to attract more than 1,000 public finance and accountancy professionals and is themed around 'Aligning public services: forging a sustainable legacy'.

To find out more about The Advanced Authority visit stand 34 at the CIPFA Annual Conference at The Novotel London West Hotel, on 8th - 9th July 2015, clickhere or call 0845 160 6162.

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