Understanding how to rebuild resilientstates in post-conflict countries is an urgent priority forthe international community. A new cross-country study ofpublic financial management reforms in post-conflictsituations shows that substantial progress is possible evenin difficult circumstances, while showing a pattern ofsequencing and progress that differs from standardassumptions. However, the impact on state building remainsless than what might be hoped. That impact could bestrengthened by persistently targeting sustainable capacity,challenging areas such as procurement, greater publicawareness, and more rapid coverage of line ministries andsub-national levels.