PrintAbout us
Not just another accountancy body
At the heart of public services
At the heart of the profession
At the heart of your career
At the heart of business
At the heart of promoting excellence
NOT JUST ANOTHER ACCOUNTANCY BODY
Overview
CIPFA is one of the leading professional accountancy bodies in the UK and
the only one which specialises in the public services. It is responsible for
the education and training of professional accountants and for their regulation
through the setting and monitoring of professional standards. But CIPFA also
provides a great deal more, including a catalogue of excellent courses, conferences
and publications and a range of high quality advisory, information, training
and consultancy services. Increasingly CIPFA’s interests are expanding
to the international stage.
One of the distinguishing features of CIPFA is that it has many roles and
many public faces. In some ways it is a much more complex organisation than
many larger enterprises. It has important responsibilities as a membership
organisation with more than 15,000 members. It is part of the accountancy
profession within the UK and internationally. It is a key stakeholder in the
public services where Governments across the globe are seeking to engineer
major reforms.
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AT THE HEART OF PUBLIC SERVICES
CIPFA’s members work, often at the most senior levels, within public service bodies, in consultancy roles, in the national audit agencies and in major accountancy firms. They are respected throughout for their high technical and ethical standards, and professional integrity.
At a time of unprecedented reform and change in public services, CIPFA is a key influencer in the development of public policy. New means of funding public services and a growing focus on the importance of effective corporate governance have raised the profile of public finance professionals.
This pace and demand for change in the public services arena continues to accelerate. Pressures from the users of services, governments and regulators constantly conspire to make huge demands upon public service organisations and their employees.
CIPFA stands out as an authoritative, independent commentator on policies which have implications for the way in which public services are organised and delivered. It understands the pressures and challenges and is quick to identify the needs and often to develop solutions for members and their employing organisations.
For further information on CIPFA's Policy and Technical work, please visit
www.cipfa.org.uk/pt.
For further information on becoming a CIPFA member, please visit www.cipfa.org.uk/members.
AT THE HEART OF THE PROFESSION
As one of the six chartered bodies which collectively make up the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB), CIPFA is at the forefront of developing and supporting the accountancy profession. We invest heavily in research and regularly offer advice to government on policy issues.
Uniquely among the professional accountancy bodies in the UK, CIPFA has responsibility for setting accounting standards for a significant part of the economy, namely local government. We also play a highly influential role in shaping practice in audit, financial management and governance arrangements.
Increasingly CIPFA’s expertise is in great demand internationally as
more and more countries seek to raise public service standards. We have especially
close links with the UK Government’s Department for International Development
and its work in developing countries.
For further information on CIPFA's Policy and Technical work, please visit
www.cipfa.org.uk/pt.
For further information on the international work of CIPFA, please visit www.cipfa.org.uk/international.
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Thinking of qualifying as an accountant? CIPFA’s qualification is the
only one designed to equip you to deal with the complexities, challenges and
rigours of the modern public service environment, which uniquely spans the
public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
CIPFA is more than just a professional qualification – it offers attractive
and rewarding career options in a competitive jobs market. But what really
sets CIPFA apart is its commitment to developing its members into individuals
who are able to make an outstanding contribution to the organisations in which
they are employed.
As a modern professional body, CIPFA supports its members in committing themselves
to a formal continuous process of learning and development in order to constantly
update and refresh their knowledge and skills. This is critical to ensure
that the highest possible standards are observed at all times.
CIPFA's widening student base now includes overseas students in Africa, and
with further projects in the pipeline, the international recognition and respect
of the professional qualification will continue to grow The development of
internal quality assurance sytems, along with recognised International quality
marks, ensure that students receive a high standard of support from CIPFA
– this includes continual monitoring of external college provision.
Already qualified? CIPFA offers further training, publications and guidance
to support you in your role as a public finance professional. From leading
edge commentary on managing and accounting for public money to providing direct
answers to individual technical queries, we are a one-stop shop for professional
development needs.
To learn more about becoming a CIPFA student, please visit www.cipfa.org.uk/eandt/prospective.
To learn more about support services for existing students, please visit www.cipfa.org.uk/eandt/current.
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Some services available to members and non-members:
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AT THE HEART OF BUSINESS
CIPFA offers a range of high value commercial services including advisory, information and training & consultancy to public service organisations. Its weekly magazine, Public Finance, is read widely by board members and elected representatives and by officials in all tiers and corners of government.
The public services are changing fast. They are becoming more customer-focused, with ever greater emphasis on achieving value for money, demonstrating accountability and ensuring continuous improvement. At the same time, the management and delivery of services must adapt to advances in technology, devolution, outsourcing and changing work patterns.
CIPFA’s commercial arm, IPF Ltd is a premier provider of services to
the public sector.
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AT THE HEART OF PROMOTING EXCELLENCE
CIPFA is widely recognised as playing a significant role in the development and implementation of real improvements in the public services provided to and for citizens. In order to encourage innovation and constantly improve standards, we run a number of prestigious award schemes to recognise excellence. These include:
- The highly successful Public Servants of the Year Awards which recognise outstanding individuals and teams
- The Public Reporting and Accountability Awards which promote best practice in reporting
The good works of our award winners are promoted through articles, publications
and courses. New ideas, innovations and best practices are widely disseminated
so that overall standards are raised, and, ultimately, so that public
services are improved.
To learn more about our publications and courses, please visit www.cipfa.org.uk/shop.