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Who we are

We are a UK-based international accountancy membership and standard-setting body. We are the only such body globally dedicated to public financial management.

We believe that improving public services is the key to changing lives for the better and that good public financial management is central to achieving this ambition.

Making it count

CIPFA is committed to changing lives for the better.

As a global leader in public financial management and governance, our aim is to make a difference to the world we live in. Our work enables people to prosper, protects the vulnerable and helps sustain the environment for future generations.

As a professional institute, we support our members and students to act with integrity and deliver excellence in public financial management throughout their careers.

By setting standards and advising public bodies and governments, we help ensure the money and resources used on behalf of citizens are raised and spent fairly, transparently, efficiently and are free from fraud and corruption.

Our thought leadership puts us at the heart of the policy debate, while our education and training offerings and range of advisory services support our members, students and other public finance professionals, helping them add value to their teams and the organisations for which they work.

CIPFA is a global body, operating at local, national and international level. Wherever we find ourselves and whoever we are supporting, our goal is to always make it count.

Working with us

At CIPFA we are looking for people who want to make a difference.

We are proud to be the only professional accountancy body in the world dedicated to public finance. Our people help shape national and international policy standards that directly and indirectly impact us all.

We know that teams perform best when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We are committed to building a culture where everyone has the opportunity to do meaningful work and be recognised for their efforts.

What's the best thing about working at CIPFA? Easy: the people.

Benefits

In return for your hard work, you will get a host of lovely employee benefits
Wellness and connection

We know that work is just part of your life, therefore offer a number of ways to support you in balancing your work with your other life demands. At CIPFA you would be eligible to join our 4-day week pilot scheme; work 4 days, get paid for 5. We also offer enhanced annual leave entitlement and hybrid working.
Continuous learning

We believe in continuous development throughout your career with us and whatever stage you are at, we have development programmes to help you grow. If you are a member of a professional organisation, we will cover the membership costs too.
Staying Healthy

We want to support our employees to be healthy and happy, so we offer a Health Cash Plan as well as offering an Employee Assistance Programme, where our employees can access counselling services and legal support. We also offer flu jabs and cycle to work schemes to support our employees’ health.
Giving back

We believe in giving our employees the opportunity to give back to their communities and the issues they feel passionate about. All our employees can take up to two paid days per year to volunteer at a charity of their choice. Employees can also donate to their chosen charity through payroll.
Family Matters

We know that having a family has a huge impact on your life, both at work and home. To support parents at CIPFA, we offer enhanced maternity and paternity benefits, flexible working, paid time off to deal with childcare emergencies and a childcare allowance to support with the cost of nursery or childcare fees.
Money Matters

Alongside competitive salary we also offer a generous pension scheme and CIPFA rewards, which offers discount to a range of retailers.

Diversity, Equality & Inclusion

We know that not all people come from the same background, or think the same – so why should we? At CIPFA, we want to be a great place to work where a diverse bunch of people from all backgrounds can turn up and thrive. When we hire, we want you to feel empowered to bring your best self to work

You can find out more here.

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Our History

1

1885

The Corporate Treasurers and Accountants Institute is founded.

The first meeting was held in Manchester, and the first president was George Swainson Borough Treasurer of Bolton. During this period local authority treasurers united to support each other and share best practice to help combat the significant changes to the infrastructure of towns and cities, as well as the predominantly poor living conditions of Victorian citizens.

2

1886

The first AGM of the Institute.

This was held in Nottingham in June 1886, with the total membership reported as being 60 full members and 8 associate members.

3

1902

International growth.

Membership of the institute spreads overseas to South Africa and Australia

4

1959

Recognition.

The Institute is granted a Royal Charter.

5

1973

The institute became the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, or CIPFA for short.

By this time it had branched out from local authority treasurers to supporting the whole financial aspect of the public sector and had 1,360 fellows.

2023

CIPFA announces partnership with ICAEW

This strategic allegiance allows respective members to harness the benefits of dual membership of both institutions and creates an accelerated path for students to gain both CPFA and ACA delegation.

2025

What is happening today?

Today, our 14,000 members and 3,000 students work throughout the public services, in national audit agencies, in major accountancy firms, and in other bodies

CIPFA will celebrate its 140th year this year.

Watch this space for more detail on how we mark this occasion!

2004

CIPFA and the Society of Management Accountants of Canada signed a mutual recognition agreement.

Launching a dual qualification providing Canadian public sector employees with comprehensive financial management and leadership training.

2007

CIPFA and CPA Australia signed a mutual recognition agreement.

Although not strictly a form of mutual recognition, CIPFA members of 5 years standing may apply for direct entry to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales subject to meeting certain criteria.

2023

CIPFA Launches Three Pillars Business Plan for 2024 - 2026.

CIPFA Thinks, CIPFA Develops and CIPFA Solutions

2015

Penna CIPFA relationship launched.

This relationship brings together a unique recruitment and career service, finding public sector jobs for finance professionals. This partnership between the leading people management business and the world’s only public sector accountancy body offers unrivalled access to the best finance professionals across the UK. CIPFA-Penna consultants specialise in both interim and permanent appointments, providing a quality recruitment service which focuses on financial management and corporate services across the public sector.

Our values

We are committed to innovation and digital delivery

We are dynamic, generate new ideas and feel empowered to constructively challenge the status quo to ensure we are innovative and don’t get left behind.
We are people focused, supportive and collaborative

We respect each other, celebrate our diversity and work together collaboratively across our different teams, as oneCIPFA.
We are trusted as independent and ethically driven

We demonstrate transparency, authenticity and integrity and we are trusted as we deliver on our promises and commitments.
We are responsive and customer oriented

We are flexible, agile and open to change to ensure we are responsive and provide the best service to our customers.
We provide unique, specialist expertise

We act commercially and use our knowledge and expertise to add value for our customers, members and stakeholders.