keskushallinta

Keskushallinta is a Finnish term used in public administration and in larger organizations to describe the central administrative unit that provides shared services and coordinates operations across departments. It is not a separate legal entity in itself, but a functional label for the part of the organization tasked with governance-support functions.

Typical responsibilities include finance and accounting, human resources and payroll, information technology, procurement, legal services, risk management, internal auditing, facilities management, and strategic planning. The central administration aims to ensure consistency of processes, compliance with laws, and efficient use of resources, while supporting line departments in policy implementation and service delivery.

Organizationally, keskushallinta is usually led by a director or chief administrator and reports to the organization's top leadership—such as a city manager in municipalities or a CEO in companies. In municipal contexts, it often collaborates with the city administration and cross-sector services; in state or national agencies, it may appear as a central services division within the ministry or agency.

Because Finnish public administration uses multiple labels for similar functions, the exact scope and naming of keskushallinta can vary between organizations. In translations, it is commonly referred to as central administration or corporate services.