Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy
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FAQs


  1. How do I enrol for a course?
  2. Why do I need to register with CIPFA and CIPFA Education and Training Centre?
  3. What is the deadline to enrol for a course?
  4. Do I need to wait for my exam results before enrolling?
  5. How can I find out what modules I am exempt from?
  6. Courses are for two modules, can I enrol to study for 1 module only?
  7. How do I cancel my enrolment?
  8. I have enrolled on a course, what happens next?
  9. What is the recommended route through the PQ?
  10. How long are courses?
  11. Why should I attend an added value course?

1. How do I enrol for a course?

To enrol for any course at CIPFA Education and Training Centre you must complete and send back an enrolment form. The enrolment forms can be found here.

Don’t forget that as well as registering with CIPFA Education and Training Centre you must register with CIPFA on the Student Learning Centre in relation to Professional Qualifications Studies. You can do that by visiting CIPFA’s website (also see the answer to question 2 below).

2. Why do I need to register with CIPFA and CIPFA Education and Training Centre?

Although CIPFA Education and Training Centre is part of the CIPFA group we currently operate separate database systems and have different responsibilities, processes and procedures. There are plans to integrate systems in the future but for the time being...

For the Professional Qualifications you will need to liaise with the personnel in the Education and Training Directorate at CIPFA for:

  • Exam entry
  • Exemptions
  • Requests for extenuating circumstances to be taken into consideration in terms of examination performance
  • Receipt of final examination results

You will need to liaise with CIPFA Education and Training Centre for:

  • Enrolling for a tuition course
  • Notification of change of address or employment details
  • Withdrawing from a tuition course
  • study materials (workbooks and exam essentials)
  • additional study support services and products

3. What is the deadline to enrol for a course?

The deadline is two weeks prior to the course start date, however, as some courses are extremely popular and places go quickly we advise that you send your enrolment form in as soon as possible to guarantee a place.

4. Do I need to wait for my Professional Qualification exam results before enrolling?

There is no need to wait until you have received your exam results before you enrol as you can withdraw should you need to. If you need to withdraw from your chosen course due to adverse exam results then please inform us as soon as possible. If this is done before the start of the course you will not incur a fee in such circumstances.

5. How can I find out what modules I am exempt from?

As a new student starting on the professional qualification you may hold exemptions from certain module depending on your academic or professional background. CIPFA are able to advise on the exemptions you may have. You can call them on 020 7543 5678 or email studentsupport@cipfa.org.uk.

6. Professional qualification courses are usually for two modules, can I enrol to study for 1 module only?

Although our courses generally feature two modules, you may choose to enrol for tuition for just one module - just indicate this on the enrolment form. Once the timetables are released you will be able to see which course dates you will need to attend for the module you are studying. You can also study for more than two modules at a time by enrolling on more than one course.

7. How do I cancel my enrolment?

If you need to cancel for any reason then let us know as soon as possible, the following fees are incurred for cancellations:

Withdrawals before closing date for enrolments
Withdrawal between closing date for enrolments and start of course
Withdrawal within 21 calendar days after the start of the course
Subsequent withdrawal 		no fee payable
15% of fee payable1
60% of fee payable2
full fee payable
  1. The fee is waived if a student elects to defer to a later CIPFA sitting as a result of the receipt of adverse exam results shortly before the start of the course.
  2. For Essentials, revision or IPDS courses, withdrawal after the start of the course for whatever reason will result in no refund. If withdrawal from one of these coursetypes is notified in writing to us before the start of the course then the above rules apply.

Please note that it is the responsibility of the sponsor to inform CIPFA Education and Training Centre in writing of a withdrawal from a course. In the event of a student leaving the sponsor organisation, the fees will remain the responsibility of the original sponsor organisation unless written confirmation is received from an alternative sponsor accepting responsibility for these fees.

8. I have enrolled on a course, what happens next?

You will receive email confirmation that you are enrolled on the course and you will be sent a timetable by email two to three weeks before the start of the course.

If you have any queries at all please contact CIPFA Education and Training Centre using the Contact Us page to find the details of the relevant person.

9. What is the recommended route through the Professional Qualification?

There is no specific route through the professional stage (certificate and diploma level) modules but certain modules do assume a prior knowledge that would have been gained on other modules. Therefore we recommend that you:

  • Pass the Management Accounting paper before attending the Accounting for Decision Making course
  • Pass the Financial Accounting exam before taking Financial Reporting
  • Pass Financial Reporting before attending the Financial Performance Reporting course

10. How long are Professional Qualification courses?

There are two semesters each year with courses running from either February through to May for June exams or August through to November for December exams.

Main (day or bespoke release) Courses typically run for 16 days and require a full day's attendance from 9am to 5pm. Day release courses are either one or two days per week. Seperate revision courses, which run in May and November, are 1 -3 days long.

11. Why should I attend a tuition course with the CIPFA Education and Training Centre?

There are many ways in which CIPFA Education and Training Centre's courses can help you including:

  • Building your understanding - the courses are designed to progress you through the learning materials and help you understand the key concepts and techniques
  • Networking - you will benefit from learning with peers from varied backgrounds and job roles
  • Advice from experienced and supportive trainers
  • Exam success - CIPFA Education and Training Centre's courses are designed to help you succeed in the exams. Our pass rates are consistently higher than the CIPFA average meaning that you have the best chance of success with CIPFA Education and Training Centre

Click here to view the 10 Reasons to Study with CIPFA Education and Training Centre.