Leadership in Finance
Supporting directors of finance and the development of future leaders in public finance is central to CIPFA’s being. CIPFA aims to train and develop finance professionals who can contribute at the top table of public service organisations in transforming the way services are delivered and ensuring public money is secure and spent as intended. To reflect the importance CIPFA places on supporting the role of the director of finance a new panel has been established to co-ordinate the strands of activity that takes place across the CIPFA group.

The panel’s work will focus on three areas.

• It will maintain oversight and co-ordination of all of the Institute’s work in relation to the role, responsibilities and positioning of the director of finance within public service organisations.
• It will lead a strong, coherent programme of research and related guidance to do this.
• It will develop a principles based statement on financial leadership.

The first step is coming soon. A major survey is being commissioned to look at how directors of finance across the public services view their role and the leadership challenges they face. This survey will be taking place throughout March and April. The findings were presented at the CIPFA 2008 June conference.

The finance community’s voice in shaping public services and in continuing its record of being a safe pair of hands to entrust public monies will only be heard if we speak as one and air the issues for discussion and debate.

If you want to comment on any aspect of our current guidance in this field and the work the panel has outlined please contact Ian Carruthers by email at ian.carruthers@cipfa.org.