The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) is the only accountancy body in the world exclusively focused on the public sector. As a membership body, our members and students are at the heart of everything we do. We work hard to support you throughout your career and are committed to helping you add value to your teams and organisations, regardless of which area of public finance you work in.
Your career partner
Working in the public sector has always been both challenging and rewarding. But given the myriad of issues the sector is now facing public finance professionals need a different approach and mind-set if they are to deliver real outcomes for the people and communities they serve.
To help you meet the challenges ahead, we have drawn together the extensive range of resources and services below. Each one has been selected for the practical and tangible support they provide to you as a public finance professional.
Download the CIPFA membership benefits brochure
Your benefits include insight, commentary and expertise, specialist support services and access to our new mental health and wellbeing hub. Plus discounted continuing professional development (CPD) training, peer-to-peer networking and exclusive member resources, while the CIPFA designation reflects your professional track record and expertise in public financial management.
How CIPFA supports you
Your membership benefits
Cost-saving discounts on a wide range of products and services, for your personal or professional use - from indemnity insurance to health clubs, hotels and cut-price cinema tickets.
CIPFA Rewards
Our exclusive member and student newsletter, which offer a bite-sized summary of CIPFA's most recent developments and service improvements, as well as showcasing member stories and upcoming events.
A free online resource for all members, students, staff and our wider community, featuring an always-growing collection of short videos and providing links to trusted local support services and resources.
A new career-focused platform packed with interactive responses to help you develop your career, including tools to help you build your CV and improve interview skills, plus career assessments, planners and e-learning sessions.
Daily emails and a bi-monthly printed magazine covering the public finance news, analysis and insight to help you stay informed about the wide range of topics affecting your work.
Online access to current and all past issues of Public Money and Management (PMM), the highly-respected international journal covering finance, policy and management issues in public services.
Specialist technical guidance covering areas such as CIPFA's professional codes (such as the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting and SeRCOP) and other financial reporting, governance and audit issues.
A comprehensive ethics e-learning module that functions as a central resource bank and offers a practical insight into how ethics can impact public finance professionals.
10% off many of CIPFA's CPD training courses and 50% off our online Excel training programme to help equip you with the skills and competencies required for a successful public finance career.
A weekly email containing a bite-sized 15-minute CPD session, delivered free of charge by award winning accountingcpd, a leading provider of online accountants, plus 10% off their range of online training courses.
Volunteer run regional branches that bring CIPFA activities and services closer to you, supporting you throughout your career and offering access to exclusive CPD, networking and social events.
Full CPFA members are eligible to stand for election to the Institute Council, contribute to ballots for the election of Officers and Council members, vote on Annual General Meeting resolutions and influence high-level decision making.
Stand out throughout your career with your CIPFA designation which is recognised and respected across the world:
- Fellow Chartered Public Finance Accountant (FCPFA): The FCPFA status recognises the contribution and commitment of long-standing CIPFA members. If you have been a member for ten years or more, you can apply to become a Fellow of the Institute and join an exclusive cohort of highly experienced public finance professionals. As a Fellow, you will benefit from enhanced services and exclusive events.
- Chartered Public Finance Accountant (CPFA): The CPFA is our benchmark designation for full, exam qualified CIPFA members, or members qualified with other recognised bodies who have extensive public financial management experience.
- CIPFA Associate (CIPFA Assoc): This is our designation for non-qualified members who have significant experience in public services along with a relevant qualification that demonstrates their commitment to a particular area of expertise.
- CIPFA Affiliate (CIPFA Affil): Our designation for members who have completed a designated CIPFA-accredited programme or qualified with other bodies, with relevant public sector experience.
A community of current and recent students that represents the views and interests of students within CIPFA, offering practical support to those studying the qualification and advising on developments within the qualification.
*Currently only available in the UK.
About your membership
Renew your membership
CIPFA membership runs annually from the 1 January. Full details on how to renew your CIPFA membership.
Remember your annual member statement
As part of the renewal process please login to MyCIPFA to complete your annual member statement, to ensure you gain the maximum benefits from your membership.
Other useful information
For additional information on your membership please see: