3	To analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions	Novice	Developing	Proficient	Accomplished
3a	Develop expertise in techniques used in managing government operations	Can identify why strategic planning, budgeting, and sound fiscal management practices are important, but cannot analyze how and/or if such practices are being used within specific contexts.	Can identify strategic planning, fiscal planning, and budgeting practices for a particular situation or context, but has limited capacity to evaluate the effectiveness of a management system.	Can identify and analyze strategic planning, financial management systems, needs and emerging opportunities within a specific organization or network.	Can provide new insights into the financial management and strategic planning challenges facing an organization or network, and suggest alternative design and implementation scenarios.
3b	Appraise the concepts of social science research methods, statistical analysis and techniques; apply the skills to analyze public policies and government operations; and formulate a policy or managerial decision	Can explain why it is important to undertake program/policy evaluation but possesses limited capacity to actually carrying it out.	Can provide a rationale for undertaking program and policy evaluation and explain what the possible goals and outcomes of such an evaluation might be.	Can provide a detailed account for how a program or policy evaluation should be structured within the specific context.	Can demonstrate the successful execution of a program or policy evaluation or the successful utilization of evidence to improve administrative practice.
3c	Create networked / collaboration solution to complex modern problems	Can explain why it is important for public administrators to value coalition and team building in a vague or abstract way, but cannot provide specific explanations or justifications applied to particular contexts.	Can identify instances in specific cases or context where a public administrator successfully or unsuccessfully demonstrated a capacity to build teams or coalitions. Possesses a basic level of understanding of network dynamics.	Demonstrates a capacity for successful participation in a team or coalition environment. Can apply teaming and coalition building concepts to describe the experience.	Can point to example in which they have created and/or lead teams or coalitions. Can apply teaming and coalition building concepts to describe the experience.
3d	Identify, evaluate and model best practices	Can provide an explanation of why performance goals and measures are important in public administration, but cannot apply this reasoning to specific contexts.	Can identify the performance management considerations for a particular situation or context, but has limited capacity to recognize the effectiveness of performance management systems.	Can identify and analyze performance management systems, needs and emerging opportunities within a specific organization or network.	Can provide new insights into the performance management challenges facing an organization or network, and suggest alternative design and measurement scenarios.
3e	Develop professional capacity in basic skills (including writing, speaking, analytical techniques, and critical thinking)	Demonstrates some ability to express ideas verbally and in writing. Lacks capacity to present and write consistently.	Possesses the capacity to write documents that are free of grammatical error and are organized in a clear and efficient manner. Possesses the capacity to present ideas in a professional manner. Suffers from a lack of consistency in the presentation of material and expression or original ideas and concepts.	Is capable of consistently synthesizing and expressing ideas verbally and in writing in a professional manner that communicates messages to intended audiences.	Can demonstrate some instances in which verbal and written communication has persuaded others to take action in solving problems.

NASPAA Competency 3"Ability to analyze synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions" with UCF MPA Program Learning Objectives

	3. ability to analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems and make decisions	3a. Develop expertise in techniques used in managing government operations.	3b. Appraise the concepts of social science research methods, statistical analysis and techniques; apply the skills to analyze public policies and government operations; and formulate a policy or managerial decision.	3c. Create networked/collaboration solution to complex modern problem	3d. Identify, evaluate and model best practices.	3e. Develop professional capacity in basic skills (including writing, speaking, analytical techniques, critical thinking).
PAD 6053Public Administrators in the Governance Process	R	I		I		R
PAD 6035Public Administration in the Policy Process	M	M		R		R
PAD 6700Research Methods for Public Administration	M	I	M		R	M
PAD 6037Public Organization Management	R	R	I	I	R	R
PAD 6701Analytic Techniques for Public Administration	M		M		R	R
PAD 6227Public Budgeting	M	M			R	R
PAD 6207Public Financial Management	M	M	R			R
PAD 6417Human Resource Management	M	M			I	R
PAD 6335Strategic Planning and Management	M	R	R	R	M	R
PAD 6062Advanced Concepts and Applications in Public Administration	M	R	R	M	R	M

I need these in bold, I have attached the paper I have written at the bottom of the screen, The top of this is supposed to answer the first two questions as well.

Competency/capacity addressed: 3a. Develop expertise in techniques used in managing government operations

Criteria I have met: Can identify and analyze strategic planning, financial management systems, needs and emerging opportunities within a specific organization or network.

Summary of Paper

Relationship to measures from above

Suggestions for improvement of paper

PAPER

Introduction

Ethics in public finance is a multifaceted concept that underpins the responsible management of public resources, ensuring transparency, accountability, and integrity in the allocation and utilization of funds for the betterment of society. In this essay, I will provide a personal definition of ethics in public finance, explore its rationale, its connection to public financial management, and its derivation. Also, I will discuss the distinctions between laws, codes of ethics/conduct, and ethics, and analyze their interplay in the realm of public finance. Drawing from insights gleaned from "Ethics in Fiscal Administration: An Introduction" by Angela Pool-Funai (2018), alongside additional scholarly sources and personal experiences, I will develop themes and subthemes that shed light on the complexities of ethical decision-making in public finance. Finally, I will critically evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with financial ethics in public or non-profit service or governance.

Personal Definition and Rationale

Ethics in public finance encompasses the ethical principles and values that guide individuals and institutions in the management of public funds. It entails adhering to the principles of honesty, fairness, accountability, and stewardship in all financial transactions and decision-making processes. At its core, ethics in public finance serves as a safeguard against corruption, mismanagement, and the misuse of taxpayer dollars, thereby fostering public trust and confidence in government institutions.

The rationale behind ethics in public finance lies in the recognition of the inherent fiduciary duty of public officials to act in the best interests of the citizens they serve. Unlike private entities, which primarily pursue profit maximization, government agencies are entrusted with the responsibility of promoting the common good and enhancing the welfare of society. Therefore, ethical conduct in public finances is essential for ensuring that scarce resources are allocated efficiently, equitably, and in accordance with the priorities and needs of the populace.

Connection to Public Financial Management

Ethics in public finance is intricately linked to the principles and practices of public financial management (PFM), which encompass budgeting, revenue generation, expenditure control, and financial reporting. Effective PFM requires not only adherence to legal and regulatory frameworks but also a commitment to ethical standards that prioritize transparency, accountability, and integrity. By integrating ethical considerations into PFM processes, governments can enhance fiscal discipline, mitigate the risk of corruption, and optimize resource allocation to achieve desired developmental outcomes.

Ethical principles such as equity, efficiency, and effectiveness serve as guiding principles in the formulation and implementation of fiscal policies and programs. For instance, decisions regarding tax policies should be evaluated based on their distributive impacts and their contribution to promoting social justice and economic development. Similarly, budgetary allocations should be transparent, prioritizing investments in essential public services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure, while guarding against wasteful or discretionary spending.

Derivation of Ethics in Public Finance

The foundation of ethics in public finance can be traced back to various philosophical traditions, including utilitarianism, deontology, and virtue ethics. Utilitarianism posits that ethical decisions should be based on maximizing the greatest good for the greatest number of people, implying a consequentialist approach to public finance that prioritizes societal welfare over individual interests. Deontological ethics, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of adhering to moral duties and principles, irrespective of the outcomes or consequences, suggesting a rule-based approach to fiscal governance rooted in principles of justice, fairness, and respect for human rights. Additionally, virtue ethics underscores the cultivation of virtuous character traits such as honesty, integrity, and prudence among public officials, highlighting the role of personal integrity and moral leadership in shaping ethical conduct in public finance.

Distinctions between Laws, Codes of Ethics/Conduct, and Ethics

While laws and codes of ethics/conduct play a crucial role in regulating behavior and establishing standards of conduct in public finance, they are not synonymous with ethics itself. Laws represent formal rules and regulations enacted by legislative bodies, which prescribe permissible and prohibited conduct within a given legal framework. Codes of ethics/conduct, on the other hand, are sets of principles, guidelines, or standards of behavior adopted by professional associations, government agencies, or organizations to promote ethical conduct and integrity among their members or employees.

Ethics, however, transcends mere compliance with legal or regulatory requirements, encompassing broader moral considerations and ethical dilemmas that may arise in the course of decision-making. While an action may be legally permissible, it may still be unethical if it violates fundamental moral principles or undermines public trust and confidence in government institutions. For instance, while it may be legal for a government official to accept gifts from lobbyists within certain limits, doing so may raise concerns about conflicts of interest, bias, or undue influence, thereby compromising the integrity of the decision-making process.

Themes and Subthemes:

1. Transparency and Accountability: - The importance of transparency in budgeting and financial reporting - Mechanisms for enhancing accountability in public expenditure management - Case studies highlighting the consequences of lack of transparency and accountability

2. Integrity and Stewardship: - Ethical responsibilities of public officials as stewards of public funds - Strategies for promoting integrity and ethical leadership in public finance - Ethical dilemmas faced by public officials in balancing competing interests and priorities

3. Equity and Social Justice: - The role of fiscal policies in addressing income inequality and promoting social inclusion - Ethical considerations in tax policy formulation and implementation - Case studies illustrating the impact of fiscal policies on marginalized and vulnerable populations

4. Corruption and Fraud Prevention: - Challenges and strategies for combating corruption in public finance - The role of internal controls and oversight mechanisms in fraud prevention - Ethical implications of whistleblowing and anti-corruption initiatives

5. International Perspectives on Financial Ethics: - Cross-cultural differences in ethical norms and values in public finance - Comparative analysis of ethical frameworks and practices across different countries - Lessons learned from international experiences in promoting financial ethics and integrity

6. Technological Innovations and Ethical Challenges: - Ethical considerations in the use of technology in public financial management - Risks and opportunities associated with blockchain, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics - Safeguarding privacy, data security, and digital rights in the era of digital governance

7. Ethical Leadership and Professional Development: - The role of ethical leadership in fostering a culture of integrity and accountability - Strategies for promoting ethical behavior and professional development among public servants - Ethical challenges faced by public sector leaders in navigating political pressures and stakeholder interests

Conclusion

In conclusion, ethics in public finance serves as a cornerstone of responsible governance, guiding decision-making processes and shaping the conduct of public officials in the management of scarce resources. By upholding principles of transparency, accountability, integrity, and equity, governments can enhance public trust, promote fiscal sustainability, and advance the well-being of society. However, achieving these objectives requires a concerted effort to address the ethical challenges and dilemmas inherent in public financial management, including corruption, inequality, and technological risks. Through critical reflection, ethical leadership, and collaborative engagement, stakeholders can work towards building a more ethical and sustainable framework for managing public resources, thereby fulfilling the promise of effective and accountable governance.