PrintBoosting treasury management skills in the public services | |
| 24-06-2009 | |
A new qualification, which will provide invaluable skills in treasury management for the public services, is being launched by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and the Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT). ACT and CIPFA have partnered to develop this qualification as it is vital that staff managing funds in the public services are trained in all aspects of treasury management. The recent Icelandic bank failures have highlighted this point on a very large scale. Significantly, one of the key recommendations of the Audit Commission's study1 into that failure was that "CIPFA should continue to work with the Association of Corporate Treasurers to develop appropriate training and a qualification." The development of specialist skills within local authorities was also supported by the Select Committee report2 on local authority investments. The Certificate in International Treasury Management – Public Finance (CertITM-PF) is aimed at all professionals who work in treasury management within the public services or who are considering moving into this expert field. It will quickly result in more highly skilled specialists within the sector and become the standard qualification for public service treasury management roles. The course will lead to a certified professional qualification, CertITM-PF from the ACT and CIPFA. Steve Freer, CIPFA Chief Executive said: "While this new treasury management qualification from CIPFA and the ACT was in development prior to the collapse of the Icelandic Banks, it is perhaps this event above all others that confirms our belief in the necessity to provide the public services with a new era of specialist expertise." Stuart Siddall, ACT Chief Executive said: "The launch of the CertITM-PF is a further important step in the recognition of the need for formal qualifications for staff involved in treasury management activities. The ACT has been delighted to work with CIPFA to adapt one of our broadest treasury qualifications to the specific needs of the public finance sector. If recent events have taught us anything it is that management must ensure that they have the right skill and experience base to manage financial risk." For further information about the qualification visit www.treasurers.org/certitmpf or www.cipfa.org.uk/certitmpf ENDS Notes to Editors
About CIPFA CIPFA, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, is the professional body for people in public finance. Our 14,000 members work throughout the public services, in national audit agencies, in major accountancy firms, and in other bodies where public money needs to be effectively and efficiently managed. As the only UK professional accountancy body to specialise in public services, CIPFA’s qualifications are the foundation of a career in public finance. They include the benchmark professional qualification for public sector accountants as well as a postgraduate diploma for people already working in leadership positions. Our in-house CIPFA Education and Training Centre delivers the range of our programmes at locations across the UK, and works with other places of learning to provide our courses locally. We also champion high performance in public services, translating our experience and insight into clear advice and practical services. They include information and guidance, courses and conferences, property and asset management solutions, consultancy and interim people for a range of public sector clients. Globally, CIPFA shows the way in public finance by standing up for sound public financial management and good governance. We work with governments, accounting bodies and the public sector around the world to advance public finance and support its professionals. For further information contact Guy Roberts or Lindsay Machin at the CIPFA Press Office on 020 7543 5712/5645 or guy.roberts@cipfa.org.uk / lindsay.machin@cipfa.org.uk About the ACT The Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT) is the international body for finance professionals working in treasury, risk and corporate finance. Through the ACT we come together as practitioners, technical experts and educators in a range of disciplines that underpin the financial security and prosperity of an organisation. The ACT defines and promotes best practice in treasury and makes representations to government, regulators and standard setters. We are also the world's leading examining body for treasury, providing benchmark qualifications and continuing development through training, conferences and publications - including The Treasurer magazine. For further information visit www.treasurers.org or contact Sharon Newell on +44 (0)20 7847 2547 or email snewell@treasurers.org |