Chartered public finance accountant : Entry requirements

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1. Job description
2. Salary and conditions
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• 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.

Although chartered public finance accountancy is open to all graduates, a degree (preferably a 2:1) in the following subjects is often sought:

• accounting/finance;
• business/management;
• politics/government/public administration;
• economics;
• mathematics.

Although any degree subject may be accepted, entrants with relevant degrees will be exempt from the certificate level of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA)  qualification.

Whilst this area of work is open to all Diplomates, an HND in the following subjects may increase your chances:

• accounting/finance;
• business/management;
• politics/government/public administration.

As with degrees, a relevant HND will also give exemption from the certificate level of the CIPFA qualification.

The minimum academic standard of entry for the CIPFA qualification is three GCSE passes (A-C) and two A-levels (A-C), including English and mathematics at either level.

The minimum vocational qualification is an NVQ/GNVQ at Level 3, or the Scottish equivalent.

Pre-entry experience, whilst beneficial, is not essential. However, familiarity with a range of environments and cultures, and an understanding of the ethos and aims of the public and not-for-profit sector, are helpful.

Candidates need to show evidence of the following:

• numeracy;
• strong oral and written communication skills;
• teamworking skills;
• IT proficiency;
• analytical and problem-solving skills;
• a well-motivated approach that responds positively to the demands of the job and successfully combines professional training and working. 

Competition for traineeships is keen but, once qualified, movement is relatively easy. Employers may visit your institution to recruit or notify careers services of any vacancies directly. If you have a geographic preference, it might be worth identifying appropriate organisations in the Municipal Year Book (MYB) Online  or Directgov  and applying directly to them.

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