On April 23, 2026, Financial University hosted the grand opening of the XIV Vasiliev Readings—the annual forum "Public Finance: Science and Practice." This discussion platform aims to foster the advancement of research and practical expertise in economics and public sector finance. This year's theme focused on new opportunities for managing public finances in an era of transformation. The forum was organized by Budget Magazine, the Union of Financiers of Russia, the Union for the Development of Public Finance, and Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation.
The event brought together representatives from the Ministry of Finance of Russia, the Federal Treasury, oversight bodies, heads of regional and municipal finance departments, as well as researchers and industry experts.
Valery Dzgoev, Executive Director of the Vasiliev Readings, Head of the Consolidated Editorial Offices of the Budget Publishing House, and Chairman of the Union for the Development of Public Finance, opened the forum with the following remarks:
"For the 14th time, we gather within the walls of Financial University to discuss pressing issues and find answers to today's most relevant questions. The true value of these meetings lies in our participants, who travel here from cities and regions across the country. Thank you for your trust. Today, we look not only to the past and present—we speak about the future. Artificial intelligence is rapidly entering our lives, which means we must stay one step ahead.
Stanislav Prokofiev, Rector of Financial University, delivered a welcoming address, emphasizing:
"The Vasiliev Readings represent a synthesis of economics, practice, and science. Traditionally, this forum serves as a platform for discussing current challenges and identifying pathways to enhance the efficiency of budget spending, expand revenue bases, and advance financial technologies—including digitalization, cash management, and many other critical areas. For us as a higher education institution, this is vital: we must understand what kind of graduates to train and what talent the country's financial system needs.
Addressing the role of the academic community in preparing future professionals, Rector Prokofiev highlighted Financial University's strategic development priorities. First is the updated architecture of higher education, built around three core pillars: socio-humanitarian, professional, and industry-focused. This principle now guides the development of new curricula at the University. Second, he emphasized active engagement with real-world practice: the number of affiliated departments and teaching laboratories is growing, and programs are co-designed with industry leaders to ensure students gain early, hands-on professional experience.
Nikolai Begchin, Deputy Minister of Finance of the Russian Federation, addressed participants via video message, noting that the forum traditionally serves as a meeting point for finance leaders and specialists to exchange experience, discuss innovative ideas, and develop optimal solutions for effective public finance management. He added that the world is currently witnessing a rapid and fundamental transformation of the global financial system, and Russia faces the task of adapting its budgetary policy to these new realities to ensure the achievement of all national development goals set by President Vladimir Putin.
The forum also featured award ceremonies for winners and finalists of the X All-Russian Competition "Best Body of Internal State (Municipal) Financial Control," as well as the II All-Russian Competition "You Can't Fool the Auditor."
Other keynote speakers at the plenary session included Nadezhda Maksimova, President of the Union of Financiers of Russia; Elena Lebedinskaya, Director of the Revenue Department at the Ministry of Finance of Russia; Elena Gromova, Director of the Department for Information Technologies in Public and Municipal Finance Management and Information Support of the Budget Process at the Ministry of Finance (via video message); Veronika Sergeeva, Deputy Director of the Budget Methodology Department at the Ministry of Finance; Alexey Lavrov, Head of the Chair of Financial Management in the Public Sector at the Faculty of Social Sciences, HSE University; and other distinguished experts. The session was moderated by Alexander Dombrovsky, Scientific Director of Budget Magazine, Chairman of the Union for the Development of Digitalization in Public Finance, and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Union for the Development of Public Finance.
The forum program continued with thematic sessions focused on the digitalization of public finance, the advancement of digital methods for state control and audit, and the digital transformation of budget accounting and reporting as tools to enhance data transparency and reliability.
