PFM Smart Is Pleased to Announce the Kick-Off of the Unified Financial Management Information System Project for the SLDTP Portfolio in Sierra Leone

PFM Smart is pleased to announce the kick-off of the Supply, Configuration, Localization and Commissioning of the PFM Smart Financial Management Information System (FMIS) as the Unified Financial Management and Reporting Platform for the Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project (SLDTP) Portfolio.

The project is being implemented for the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation (MoCTI) and forms part of the country’s broader digital transformation efforts. The SLDTP is a Government of Sierra Leone initiative implemented through MoCTI to strengthen digital government, digital infrastructure, skills, and public-sector capacity. 

Project Objective and Scope

The primary objective of the assignment is to establish the PFM Smart Financial Management Information System (FMIS) as a unified financial management and reporting platform for the SLDTP portfolio.

The system will automate, modernize, and integrate financial management processes, strengthening key areas including budgeting, accounting, expenditure control, procurement, asset management, and financial reporting.

The implementation is designed to provide a centralized and workflow-driven financial management environment that supports improved financial controls, higher-quality data, enhanced reporting capabilities, and more efficient financial operations across the SLDTP portfolio.

Key Areas of the Project

Automation of Financial Processes

A core component of the project is the configuration of a unified, workflow-driven FMIS to support budgeting, accounting, and related financial functions.

The system will also automate the preparation of Interim Unaudited Financial Reports (IUFRs), project financial statements, and account reconciliations. In addition, the implementation will establish a clear four-month implementation roadmap, including defined milestones and a phased go-live approach to support a structured transition to the new platform.

Improved Data Quality and Integration

The project will begin with an assessment of existing financial processes, requirements, the Chart of Accounts, and portfolio coding structures. This will provide the foundation for configuring the FMIS in line with the project's financial management requirements.

An important element will also be the migration and validation of QuickBooks data, including the reconciliation of opening balances. This will help ensure the integrity and reliability of financial information as it is transferred to the new platform.

The FMIS will also support secure API and web-service integration with relevant systems of the Auditor-General’s Department, helping improve data exchange and connectivity between related systems.

Improved Financial Controls

The PFM Smart FMIS will incorporate enhanced financial control mechanisms, including budget controls, approval workflows, and segregation of duties.

The system will also strengthen role-based access controls, document attachment capabilities, audit trails, and transaction history. These features are intended to provide greater visibility over financial transactions and strengthen accountability throughout the financial management process.

Additional functionality will support bank reconciliation, advances and imprest management, contract management, and fixed-asset controls, providing a more comprehensive approach to financial management across the portfolio.

Enhanced Financial Reporting and Monitoring

The new platform will enable real-time budget execution monitoring and financial oversight across the SLDTP portfolio.

It will provide the ability to generate donor-compliant and management reports, with drill-down capabilities to individual transactions and supporting source documents. This will facilitate improved access to financial information and support more effective monitoring and decision-making.

The system will also provide executive dashboards, KPI views, and geo-mapping capabilities, giving management enhanced visibility into financial and project performance.

Training, Capacity Building and Ongoing Support

Recognizing that successful digital transformation depends on both technology and people, the project includes comprehensive training and knowledge transfer activities.

PFM Smart will provide practical, hands-on training for end-users, super users, and system administrators, enabling stakeholders to effectively use and manage the new platform.

The project will also support change management, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge transfer throughout the implementation process to facilitate adoption and ensure that users are equipped to work effectively with the new system.

Following implementation, PFM Smart will provide post-implementation support through Service Level Agreement (SLA) and Help Desk arrangements, helping ensure continued system availability, user support, and sustainable operation of the platform.

Supporting Sierra Leone’s Digital Transformation

The implementation of the PFM Smart FMIS will contribute to the broader objectives of the Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project, which includes strengthening government capacity to deliver public services digitally. The SLDTP is being implemented from 2022 to 2027 and includes a specific component focused on laying the foundations for digital government services and systems. 

Through the implementation of a unified financial management and reporting platform, PFM Smart will support the SLDTP portfolio in moving toward more automated, integrated, transparent, and efficient financial management processes.

The project reflects PFM Smart’s continued commitment to supporting governments and development programs in their digital transformation journeys by delivering practical financial management solutions that strengthen financial control, data quality, reporting, accountability, and informed decision-making.