Training

IPSAS training and implementation alliance

CIPFA and Ernst & Young have joined forces to help organisations and governments around the world to improve their public financial management (PFM) standards after the global financial crisis exposed the seriousness of sub-standard reporting by governments.

Governments are now beginning to recognise that International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) represent the future of PFM and will help citizens have access to fuller information about the financial consequences of political decisions, as well as about the financial situation of their government.

CIPFA and Ernst & Young are now offering support in achieving IPSAS. The alliance combines Ernst & Young’s experience working on IPSAS projects around the world and CIPFA’s experience in professional capacity development and certified financial management training.

Speaking at the IFAC Sovereign Debt Crisis conference in Vienna in March 2012 James Turley, Chief Executive Officer, Ernst & Young says: “Our profession can help advise on a wide range of related issues from bridging skills gaps or high staff turnover through better education, training and development to providing technical support on the ground to implement new initiatives. And I’m pleased that Ernst & Young has just agreed to partner with CIPFA in this field.”

The support includes identifying how ready existing accounting systems are for IPSAS before developing and implementing plans to introduce IPSAS. Throughout, skills and experience are transferred to relevant staff through training and development.

Find out more about our combined services

View our Fixing the Foundations campaign for more on improving public financial management in governments

IPSAS and IFRS
The Certificate in International Public Sector Financial Reporting (Cert IPSFR) is a new e-learning programme developed by CIPFA and the ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales). It is a unique public sector focused programme which will help you develop a fundamental understanding of both the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) and their public sector equivalents, International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSASs).

The programme provides a practical insight into the divergences between the two sets of standards, as well as the different public and private sector reporting perspectives that drive these.

See CIPFA's Certificate in International Public Sector Financial Reporting (Cert IPSFR)

Professional education

Click here for more details about CIPFA professional education qualifications.