Chartered public finance accountant
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.
A chartered public finance accountant is responsible for ensuring the effective operation of accounting and financial activities within public sector organisations. Whilst many work for public bodies, such as local and central government and publicly funded organisations, an increasing number are employed in industry and in private accountancy firms.
The role varies widely from general financial administration to management accounting. Whether employed directly within the public sector or working within it on a consultative basis, chartered public finance accountants focus on ensuring that public services are provided as effectively as possible with the limited resources available.
Typical work activities may include:
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.
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:
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:
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:
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.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
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.
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA) is the main professional body, and its qualifications develop candidates as accountants and financial managers. An open learning system exists, as well as day release. Many employers offer paid study leave and structured training schemes. Trainees are also required to experience a range of finance, accountancy and audit functions in the workplace, normally guided by a qualified colleague. Fast-track routes are available to members of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) and The Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies (CCAB) .
In larger organisations, such as local government councils, trainees rotate between a number of departments to gain experience of areas such as financial planning, audit and financial systems, service-based accountancy and treasury management.
The CIPFA qualification is made up of three parts and takes approximately three years to complete. New candidates also have to comply with the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme, which requires that they keep a detailed record of their professional experience. The qualification is structured as follows:
CIPFA's pass rate compares favourably with other accountancy institutes and is often higher for graduate entrants. Students may re-sit failed examinations. Employers' attitudes to examination failures vary, but progress is generally dependent on exam performance.
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.
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.
Typical employers include:
The public sector covers a wide-ranging group of organisations. The term generally refers to bodies that provide services to the public, although this does not necessarily have to be within the public sector. Public services are typically funded through taxation, and work relates to the balancing of costs rather than the maximisation of profits.
Chartered public finance accountants are also employed by large private sector organisations and in industry and commerce. Some work for accountancy firms, which provide services to a wide range of public sector organisations, such as healthcare bodies, charities and local and central government. The 'Big Four' are:
There are also a growing number of opportunities to work for specialist accountancy and management consultancy partnerships. These provide a range of advisory, consultative and audit services for the public sector. Some chartered public finance accountants with a good level of experience set up in private practice.
Recruitment agencies sometimes handle vacancies for qualified and part-qualified applicants. These include Hays Personnel (the public sector section) and Michael Page International .
Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.
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.
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