Membership Matters and student newsletter features archive

Here you’ll find historic feature pieces from past editions of our member and student newsletters.

2023

December

Rob Whiteman retirement interview

Rob will retire in June 2024 after more than ten years at the helm of the Institute. Here he answers a selection of questions put to him by CIPFA members, stakeholders and staff.

October

CIPFA Regional autumn forum 2023

This year’s forum took place in Birmingham on 18–19 October.

Transitional Arrangements for PQ/IPFM Students to the new PAQ

Important information regarding the transition from the CIPFA Professional Qualification to the CIPFA Professsional Accountancy Qualification and the modules affected.

September

Our new relationship with ICAEW

Rob Whiteman on the accelerated route to gain CPFA and ACA designation and qualify for dual membership.

Your qualification questions answered

A selection of your questions that we didn’t get to answer at PF Live.

Misconduct in CIPFA exams

Misconduct in exams is a serious assessment offence that can have consequences for a student’s future, find out more about CIPFA's policy

 

July

Student conference 2023: the highlights

A round-up of this year’s conference, including the student prizegiving.

Introducing Caroline Rassell

An introduction to Caroline Rassell and round-up of her opening speech at PF Live as she begins her presidency year.

June

CIPFA PAQ gets independently benchmarked

Ecctis has recently externally evaluated CIPFA’s Professional Accountancy Qualification to make sure it meets the standards set out in the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).

May

Student panel discussion: a chance to gain expenses-paid access to PF Live 2023

If you are a UK PAQ or CFIA apprentice, this is your chance to take part in a special counter fraud panel discussion at this year’s student conference.

Bringing CIPFA’s Professional Accountancy Qualification to Canada

CIPFA has been working with Nīewe Consulting to bring CIPFA’s Professional Accountancy Qualification (PAQ) to parts of the Canadian government.

April

CIPFA wins at PQ Awards 2023

CIPFA took home the prize for Accountancy Body of the Year at this year’s ceremony – an honour we share with our outstanding shortlisted nominees.

March

AMS changes for local authority CFOs

Important changes are coming from 2023 for CIPFA members who are CFOs in UK local authorities.

CIPFA Board changes: farewells and welcomes

CIPFA bids farewell to Lyn Davies and welcomes Frances Done and Harry Gaskell following open recruitment. 

February

Changes to CIPFA exams

A summary of the two recent changes introduced and how they will affect you.

January

PF Live Northern Ireland 2022

Department of Health (Northern Ireland) Staff Officer Dean Russell shares his thoughts on CIPFA’s first post-pandemic conference in the region.

2023 CIPFA Council nominations are open

Nominations are invited from 9 January to 7 February 2023. Find out what being on Council will involve and how to nominate either yourself or someone else.

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2022

November

CIPFA members’ survey results

A huge thank you to all respondents and an insight into what the results of the survey have shown us.

The CIPFA Student Network is recruiting

The latest volunteering vacancies in the CSN.

DSDA tips from CIPFA’s examiners

An overview from CIPFA examiners of the new Developing Strategy and Data Analysis (DSDA module).

October

PF Live Scotland: the future of public sector finance

Packed with speakers, a broad range of breakout workshops and plenty of opportunities for networking, CIPFA’s first in-person conference in Scotland since 2019 was a resounding success.

Financial Management (FM) exam tips from CIPFA’s examiners

We have some tips brought to you directly from CIPFA’s examiners on Financial Management (FM), including areas to study and how to answer.

Trustee sought for The Howard Partnership Trust

Are you a CIPFA member based in or near Surrey and interested in gaining non-executive experience in a schools trust? This may be the perfect opportunity for you.

The determination and dedication of CIPFA students

Recently qualified Sarah Wallace of Northern Ireland Water shares her student experience.

September

John Butler, Yorks and Humber executive: My CIPFA journey is coming to an end

A few words from John Butler, who has announced he is stepping down from his role in the region after 27 years’ service.

CIPFA student conference: levelling up roundtable

CIPFA’s second successful roundtable brought public finance leaders of the future together to discuss this important agenda.

August

CIPFA learning is changing

From autumn this year, your digital learning experience with CIPFA is set to get a lot better.

A word from incoming CSN President Lin Liu

New CSN President Lin Liu introduces herself and shares her goals for the rest of 2022 and 2023.

CIPFA annual conference – a student’s perspective

The South West region’s Deputy Treasurer and third-year student Curtis Bond has given us an account of his first face-to-face CIPFA conference.

CIPFA AGM 2022 round-up

Held ahead of PF Live, the 2022 AGM looked back on the successes of 2021 and the challenges ahead next year for CIPFA and the wider public sector.

The new CIPFA career hub: spotlight

Discover what our new member benefit can offer you today.

July

Summer entertainment: discover member-recommended reads, podcasts, films and series

Perfect inspiration for your summer holiday entertainment. 

A few words from outgoing CSN President, Sophie Darlington

At the CIPFA student conference on 13 July, Sophie Darlington passed the baton to her successor, Lin Liu.

CIPFA exam marking and moderation processes

Following feedback from students, CIPFA has now outlined its exam production, standardisation, marking and moderation processes.

CIPFA student conference 2022: the highlights

A round-up of the senior managers’ talk, the student roundtable, the prizegiving and closing remarks from incoming Student President, Lin Liu.

CIPFA Midlands Sixth Form Management Games 2022

A round-up of this year’s successful Games, plus the extensive benefits of volunteering at CIPFA.

CPD audit 2021: our findings

The importance of continuing professional development and how you can work on yours today.

June

NHS finance careers: make your career count

In the third webinar in our NHS finance careers series, senior NHS finance professional Hardev Virdee and recently CIPFA-qualified NHS finance business partner Mohammed Panjwani discuss CIPFA and their career journeys.

May

Birmingham City Council’s inspirational journey to a three-star finance function

In the last two years, the council has made great improvements to its financial management arrangements following a CIPFA review. Read the full story here.

South West region welcomes new President

The South West bid a fond farewell to Christina Earls as President at the conference and AGM in March. Here we introduce her successor.

Student roundtable: a chance to gain expenses-paid access to PF Live 2022

This special roundtable on levelling up will be a fantastic opportunity for public finance professionals of tomorrow to come together today to discuss this important socioeconomic agenda.

April

Successes and struggles: one student’s journey to CIPFA qualified status

Senior Accountant Lucy Glister-Byers shares a thought-provoking account of her experiences on the road to becoming CIPFA qualified.

March

NHS finance careers: make your career count

In the second webinar in our NHS finance careers series, leading senior finance professionals Claire Gravil and Devasuda Anblagan talk careers, training and how their roles as finance professionals are challenging yet fulfilling.

February

CIPFA Fellowship and annual lecture 2022

Read the highlights of this year’s annual lecture, plus a reminder of all the great benefits of becoming a CIPFA Fellow.

January

Your 2021 annual membership statement reminder

Make sure to complete your statement before the 31 March deadline, plus we have some tips this new year for tackling your admin tasks.

Face-to-face training continues into spring

As part of our ongoing reviews into how we deliver learning, we’re pleased to say we are continuing optional face-to-face training into the spring. Read more here.

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2021

December

NHS finance careers: make your career count

In the first of a series of webinars, CIPFA member and senior finance professional Bob Alexander chats with newly qualified Tahmid Ahmed, financial planning analyst at NHS England, all about a long and rewarding career in public finance.

CIPFA launches updated qualification: CIPFA Professional Accountancy Qualification

“As the world changes, so must we.” Learn more about the exciting new CIPFA PAQ syllabus.

2021 Autumn Forum and North East conference

Hosted by the North East region, this year’s two-day event was held in Newcastle. Read the highlights here.

November

An update on CIPFA Futures

Important information for all current and prospective students – everything you need to know.

Introducing Christian Evans ACCA CPFA

Meet new CIPFA member and South West region volunteer Christian Evans, who currently works as a strategic finance manager for Somerset County Council.

October

Enrol now for the new Social Care Enhanced Insights service

Find out more about the new financial and performance solutions service from CIPFA and Peopletoo that is designed to help social care and children's services organisations understand their budgetary position, performance and more.

CIPFA student sustainability roundtable – 23 September

Read the transcript from the student sustainability roundtable and hear what public finance leaders of the future have to say on this topical subject.

September

Your annual membership statement: it’s almost time

A reminder of the types of CPD you can undertake, and also check in with the CPD activity available to you through CIPFA.

CETC update on face-to-face training from autumn 2021

Read the highlights of CETC’s update on the return to optional classroom learning from the autumn.

August

Top reads for public finance professionals

Handpicked just for you for your summer holiday reading.

July

Christina Earls – AAT Vice President elect: my journey so far

Longstanding CIPFA member and South West regional President Christina Earls tells her story of becoming AAT Vice President elect.

CIPFA Midlands: the 2021 Sixth Form Games

After a year's break due to the pandemic, the Games returned this year in a virtual capacity.