Chartered public finance accountant : Career development

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1. Job description
2. Salary and conditions
3. Entry requirements
4. Training
5. Career development
6. Employers and vacancy …
7. Related jobs

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Case studies

• Audit assistant: Charlotte Pitts-Humphries 

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The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) is one of the leading professional accountancy bodies in the UK and the only one that specialises in the public services. We have been successfully training accountants, financial managers and auditors for 125 years. Join The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.

Many large public sector bodies provide well-structured career paths with many opportunities to develop and specialise. A career in public sector financial management offers a wide range of challenging and rewarding opportunities. Employment opportunities can be found in areas ranging from local government to The National Health Service (NHS)  and from education to the central government and all its specialist agencies. Career development is based on both ability and mobility.

Public finance accountants working in local government are appointed to a specific accounting or auditing role on qualification and are responsible for the overall financial provision of the department/service. Within a couple of years, many Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA)  qualified accountants are in a position to progress in their careers, and this may involve responsibility for larger resources or the management of entire departments.

Opportunities exist with a wide range of employers, and movement between public and private sectors is also possible. There is a growing demand for Chinese-speaking skills within corporate finance.

CIPFA specifies that members must undertake mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) as career progress is linked to continued learning through training events, conferences and meetings. An increasing number of public sector employers operate staff development schemes accredited by CIPFA to enable staff development and CPD to run concurrently.