Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the NSF e-newsletter.
The NSF met in late September and welcomed 4 of our 5 new members face-to face (for more details of our members, please see the “Member profiles” section of the website). We also had a good discussion around issues that are priorities for us at the moment. These included how to best support Open Learning Only (OLO) students, the NSF conference 2007, the CIPFA Careers (Newly Qualified) Conference 2007, regional student support and employers support. If you would like to find out more about our recent meeting, please see the meeting notes section of the website. If you have anything to feedback, please do so at the usual address: nsf@cipfa.org.uk
To update you on the conferences 2007, the NSF conference venue is set for Reading University on Thursday 5 July 2007. Speakers are being confirmed asap, but it promises to be a fantastic day.
Today’s newsletter includes some great articles on surviving the IPDS interview, life as a student, life as a Finance Director and accountancy jokes (!)
Enjoy, and if you have any feedback, please get in touch.
Kind regards
Johanna Taylor,
CIPFA NSF Chair
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that the best thing to do with your Initial Professional Development Scheme (IPDS) guide is to keep it safe until your final year. The temptation is high. After all, you will not have to face submitting your portfolio and meeting an assessor until after you sit your final examination, which seems so far away when you are just starting your FA and MA modules. But hold that thought – you have two options.
Find out what they are at: www.cipfa.org.uk/students/studylounge/technical.cfm
By Jenny Hill,
CIPFA Education and Training Centre
This article is aimed at students who are commencing their certificate level financial accounting (FA) studies and who do not have experience of real-life financial accounting in the organisations that they work for.
The article will explain the basic accruals accounting principle and give an overview of the process of preparing an NHS Trust’s financial accounts, including double entry accounting. It will then introduce students to the key parts of a Trust’s financial accounts, ie the Balance Sheet and Income and Expenditure (I&E) Account. A glossary of technical terms is included at the end.
Read the article at: www.cipfa.org.uk/students/studylounge/technical.cfm
The objectives of this paper are:
- To explain the rationale behind the Case Study
- To identify the skills needed by candidates
- To identify candidates’ common weaknesses
- To stress the importance to candidates of being thoroughly prepared through revision and practice
Read this case study at: www.cipfa.org.uk/students/studylounge/technical.cfm
No doubt you are already working hard towards the December 2006 exams. Some of you may be attending college while others are studying on your own, but all students can do with some additional help! Were you aware that:
- CIPFA provides technical support by way of the Ask the Tutor service. This service provides you with academic support, including helping you deal with troublesome sections of the CIPFA syllabus, offering you advise on how to approach your examination paper, and can even provide you with some study tips! Submit your query via email to etis@cipfa.org, and a subject specialist will get back to you.
- CIPFA has also produced a series of booklets aimed at furnishing you with skills that can help you succeed with the CIPFA qualification. These booklets cover areas like Study and Examination Skills, IPDS Reflective Writing, Stress Management, Time Management, Reading Skills, Learning Styles and Effective Use of the OLM, and are available for download from the Study Lounge for free.
These services will definitely help smooth the road through the CIPFA Professional Qualification.
If you have any questions or queries please contact ETIS (Education and Training Information Service) helpline. The helpline is a one-stop helpline contactable via email (etis@cipfa.org) or telephone (0207 543 5678). The ETIS helpline is the central point of contact for all students. Alternatively, please consult the CIPFA website at www.cipfa.org.uk/students/current
Most of you are now studying hard for the December 2006 exams. You are starting to look towards revising and practising past exam papers.
CIPFA has produced a guide aimed at helping you approach an exam, the guide helps you look at the different types of questions that can be used, how to manage your time effectively so that you answer all the questions you need to. Helpful revision aids and how the questions can be drawn from the OLM.
The booklet is available to students and it is situated on the CIPFA student website within the study lounge, www.cipfa.org.uk/students/studylounge once in the study lounge you will see in the left hand menu Study Aids, the booklet is placed there.
There is also a series of study aids booklets aimed to help you throughout your studies.
During November 2006 Nottingham Business School (NBS) will be running revision courses for all subjects relating to the CIPFA Certificate, Diploma and Final Test examinations in December 2006. NBS has an excellent reputation for its CIPFA programme and is recognised as a “Centre of Excellence” for Public Service Finance Programmes. Attending the revision courses will improve your chances of passing your exams.
For further details contact The CIPFA Programme Administrator on 01159 8482432 or Martin Jones at martin.jones@ntu.ac.uk
If so, why not enrol on one of the NBS Post Graduate Programmes specifically aimed at the public sector. The Centre for Public Services Management (CPSM) offers a range of programmes from general management to Treasury Management. Membership of CIPFA gives exemptions to some CPSM post graduate programmes.
For further details contact The CPSM Programme Administrator on 01159 8482432.
The AAT is now offering a discounted full membership subscription rate of £49 (reduced from £100) to CIPFA students.
As a full member of the AAT you will be able to use the letters MAAT after your name, clearly demonstrating your existing professional status to colleagues and clients. You will also gain full access to the AAT's membership support services, that include:
- free events and courses via the AAT’s branch network
- low-cost, one-day, AAT tailored CPD Mastercourses
- access to technical and ethical advice to help you in your job
This reduced full membership rate is available for the duration of your CIPFA studies and is open to all AAT-qualified CIPFA students.
For more information please contact the AAT's Membership Support team on tel: +44 (0)20 7415 7600, e-mail: membershipsupport@aat.org.uk or visit the AAT's website: www.aat.org.uk/fullmember
Open Learning students are invited to attend a CIPFA Induction Day on Saturday 10 February 2007.
The day is aimed at students new to CIPFA, but we recommend all Open Learners attend. This may be your first opportunity to meet other Open Learners and members of the Learning Support team and to familiarise yourself with the full range of support that CIPFA offers.
The day is FREE, and will run between 10.30 and 4.30. Lunch and other refreshments will be provided.
Details of the programme will be available towards the end of the year.
There’s nothing like sharing knowledge to expand your mind. The December exams are approaching but now you can laugh in the face of revision by using the CIPFA Leaning Centre (CLC) website, http://learning.cipfa.org.uk.
OK, it might not sit the exams for you but the CLC has a comprehensive database of authoritative technical advice, guidance, publications, courses and learning material from CIPFA, IPF and other relevant providers. If it’s not on the CLC, it’s not worth reading.
Register with http://learning.cipfa.org.uk, find the information you need and good luck!
December’s exams are nearly here but there’s still time to do that all important revision! CETC’s programme of revision courses runs throughout November and spaces are available on some courses.
The courses are open to all CIPFA students and are suitable for both first time sitters and re-sitters. The courses are module-specific and most are two-days long. They give an opportunity to consolidate your learning of the syllabus and hone your exam technique through the practice of exam standard questions under exam conditions.
To view the list of dates visit the CETC website: www.cetc.org.uk
CETC will be releasing their course dates for courses leading to June 2007 in November but you can register your interest in CETC courses through a new form CETC have added to its website: http://www.cipfa.org.uk/cetc/courses/register.cfm or by emailing enquiries@cetc.org.uk.
Students currently on CETC’s day release courses will receive a copy of the dates.
Can all students please notes that the subjects listed below are all being updated for the June 2007 exams, Any students ordering any of these subjects will not receive delivery until January 2007
| AAT Fast Track Paper 1 (FR and A&A) |
| Certificate ~ |
Financial Accounting
Financial Reporting |
| Diploma ~ |
Audit & Assurance
Taxation
Accounting for Decision Making |
Would you prefer columnar analysis paper in exams rather than the current analysis paper which is another type of accounting paper?
Please email the NSF at nsf@cipfa.org with your response.
The historic city of York hosted this year’s National Students’ Forum conference. Literally yards from the station platform, the venue simply couldn’t have been easier to get to – as the 100 students attending found out.
The day kicked off with outgoing NSF chair, Claire Gravil, welcoming students and describing the benefits of getting involved with CIPFA by volunteering.
Speakers throughout the day were brilliant, and met with agreement from all students. The fact that students tended to rate different speakers as their favourite makes me content that we provided something for everyone.
Read the full review of the conference at: www.cipfa.org.uk/students/nsf/download/nsf_conference_article_june_2006.doc
Alan Bennett,
Assistant Manager at
Deloitte & Touche LLP in
Belfast looks back on the day of his IPDS interview.
Read about it at: www.cipfa.org.uk/students/current/show_notice.cfm?news_id=29174
As part of the CIPFA in Scotland centenary celebrations, CIPFA Scotland student Anne Cairns was offered the opportunity to job shadow Lynn Brown, Director of Financial Services of Glasgow City Council. This was a fantastic opportunity to get an insight to how the senior management of a major public sector organisation works.
Find out what she discovered at: www.cipfa.org.uk/students/current/show_notice.cfm?news_id=29176
I have worked at Trafford Council for 2½ years, starting out in treasury management and technical finance, and have been working in the environment department for the past 8 months. I’m one of those annoying people that love their job. I get to work with some fantastic people, in interesting areas, and get a great variety in the work I do, as well as a challenge. No two days are ever the same, but here is a typical day in a week of budget monitoring…
www.cipfa.org.uk/students/current/show_notice.cfm?news_id=29177
Do you want to meet new students?
Do you want to hear prominent public sector individuals talk about what makes them tick?
Do you want to learn more about topical issues in your work?
Do you want help on getting through your studies more effectively?
If you've answered yes to the above, you need to register for the CIPFA South East Student Conference.
Date: Friday 3 November 2006, 10:00 to 16:30
Venue: PA Consulting, 123 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 9SR
For a booking form or further information, contact Nimet Nathani at n-nathani@audit-commission.gov.uk or download a booking form directly through the website.
Look out for the interview appearing in an issue of PASS magazine soon, but read it here first at: www.cipfa.org.uk/students/current/show_notice.cfm?news_id=29178
Another interview from Lambeth, read it at : www.cipfa.org.uk/students/current/show_notice.cfm?news_id=29179
The North East & Yorkshire CIPFA Student Society - Southern Division invite you to attend their Speed Networking Event, the event is presented by Hayes.
Wednesday 8th November, 6pm
To be held at: BrB (Upstairs Function Room), Leeds
An event to enable you to quickly build a network of contacts.
This is a great opportunity to learn the importance and benefits of creating and maintaining a diverse network of contacts. The event will enable you to brush up on your networking skills and put them into practice with fellow CIPFA students, newly qualifieds and members.
Find out more at: www.cipfa.org.uk/students/current/show_notice.cfm?news_id=29185
The NSF conference 2007 is being organised at the moment; if there are particular workshops or speakers you would like to suggest, please post your comments on the website forum (www.cipfa.org.uk/students/studylounge/forum.cfm?forumnumber=7) to ensure your opinion counts!!
An accountant visited the Natural History museum. While standing near the dinosaur he said to his neighbor: "This dinosaur is two billion years and ten months old".
"Where did you get this exact information?"
"I was here ten months ago, and the guide told me that the dinosaur is two billion years old."
..............................................................................
A patient was at her doctor's office after undergoing a complete physical exam. The doctor said, "I have some very grave news for you. You only have six months to live."
The patient asked, "Oh doctor, what should I do?"
The doctor replied, "Marry an accountant."
"Will that make me live longer?" asked the patient.
"No," said the doctor, "but it will SEEM longer."
..............................................................................
A business owner tells her friend that she is desperately searching for an accountant.
Her friend asks, "Didn't your company hire an accountant a short while ago?"
The business owner replies, "That's the accountant I've been searching for."
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