CIPFA Launches New Qualification for Charity Sector

The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) is working with London South Bank University (LSBU) to establish a joint award in charity finance.

CIPFA’s Certificate in Charity Finance and Accountancy has been specifically designed to meet the needs of those working in the finance functions of charities, but who do not yet hold a recognised finance qualification directly relevant to their work.

This unique qualification has been influenced by the growing demand from government to improve the financial management of charities. Backed by the Workforce Hub and the Charity Finance Directors Group, the qualification will support people within the charities sector to drive up organisational efficiency, productivity and sustainability.

Success in this one-year course leads to two awards: Affiliate membership of CIPFA with designatory letters CCFA (CIPFA) and an intended certificate from LSBU. A valuable asset in its own right, the Certificate also offers an excellent basis for those who may choose to further develop expertise in the field of financial management across the sectors. It includes generous exemptions for students successfully completing the course who decide to continue to complete the full CIPFA professional accountancy qualification. It is can also be seen as a foundation for the LSBU MSc in Charity Finance and Accounting.

The joint CIPFA/LSBU qualification aims to deliver a practical and stimulating qualification that participants wishing to consolidate and develop their skills can apply directly to their work.

The certificate will include class time – one afternoon and evening a week – and will be assessed by a mix of examination and applied coursework. The modules for semester 1 are Charity Finance and Accounting and Voluntary Sector Financial Management; for semester 2 they are Advanced Charity Accounting and Charity Taxation.

LSBU, with its established programme of qualifications in charity management and charity finance, is an ideal partner for the development of this exciting initiative. The partnership will see LSBU teach and assess the programme, with CIPFA acting as the awarding body.

Chris Harris, CIPFA Charities Panel chair, expressed his enthusiasm for the programme: “This is a very positive development for the sector. The CIPFA Certificate in Charity Finance and Accountancy is both unique and accessible, offering employers in the sector a highly relevant qualification through which to develop their staff and enhance the performance of their organisation.”

Nigel Scott, course director at LSBU, says: “LSBU is delighted to be working with CIPFA to deliver this exciting new course offering both academic and professional qualifications, giving finance staff in charities a direct opportunity to enhance both their career and organisational performance.”

Keith Hickey, chief executive of the Charity Finance Directors' Group, welcomed the announcement of the course: “It is pleasing to see CIPFA recognising the importance of the charity sector by developing courses in charity finance which can only help to improve the quality of financial management in the sector and provide an opportunity for those working in finance roles in charities to develop their skills'.

Mark Freeman, learning & skills manager at the UK Workforce Hub, says: “I am delighted that the UK Workforce Hub has been able to play a small part in the development of the CIPFA Certificate in Charity Finance and Accountancy. Our research has shown the need within the sector for good quality training in financial, strategic and business planning. I believe that this course will help to meet this skills need. Studying this course will help individuals improve their performance as well as increasing the effectiveness of the organisations they work for.”

The course for the Certificate in Charity Finance and Accountancy will commence in autumn 2006. Potential applicants for this course should contact Nigel Scott at LSBU’s charity faculty on 020 7815 7760 or email cipfachar.enq@lsbu.ac.uk for further details on how to enrol.
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Notes to Editors:
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (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. 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. CIPFA’s members work (often at the most senior level) in the public service bodies, in the national audit agencies and major accountancy firms. They are respected throughout for their high technical and ethical standards and professional integrity. CIPFA also provides a range of high quality advisory, information and training and consultancy services to public service organisations. As such, CIPFA is the leading independent commentator on managing and accounting for public money.