Introduction

At 31 December 2002 CIPFA had over 13,500 full members and more than 2,400 student members. Measured by membership numbers the Institute has grown in size by more than 50% over the course of the past twenty five years.

Over the next few years the Institute Council has ambitious plans to develop our Institute further. Part of those plans include growing membership numbers and in particular attracting more employers and students to the CIPFA professional accountancy qualification. But the Council's development strategy is about much more than simply membership growth. It is also about striving to provide better support services to existing members and students and their employers, about growing and enhancing CIPFA's reputation and influence, and about improving the Institute in some of its other roles too - for example, as a professional body and as an important player within the accountancy profession.