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Public Sector Accountancy Training

Training as an accountant in the public services could be the best move you make after graduating, especially if you are looking for a diverse, rewarding career which gives you the opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives.

There are no glass ceilings for public sector accountants, so if you have your eye on becoming a finance director, chief executive or senior manager, then the opportunities are there for the taking – if you are prepared to put in some real effort and determination of course. In addition, you will work in an environment where ability is everything; and often you will be helping to deliver tangible improvements in important public services including the health, education, local government and not for profit sectors. You may work directly for an organisation’s finance department, or be part of a division within that organisation, or you may work within an accountancy firm supporting a number of public sector clients.

Despite its roots, accountancy is not just a job for people who are good with numbers. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s (CIPFA) professional accountancy qualification (PAQ) offers students business and management expertise as well as providing them with unrivalled technical skills. And it is the only professional accountancy qualification to be taught by lecturers with experience spanning both the public and private sectors.

There are a number of routes to qualification with CIPFA.  Generous exemptions from parts of the course often apply to students who have relevant previous qualifications, but full training is available if you have not studied accountancy before.  The CIPFA qualification can be completed entirely by Open (distance) Learning, but students often choose to take the Added Value college courses offered throughout the UK.   Work experience is an important part of CIPFA training, so students need to work in an accounting role, at least for part of the course.  Many organisations offer training posts for CIPFA students, and these employers often provide financial support and office mentoring schemes.

CIPFA members are known for their management skills and ability to turn their hands to anything, and they work for a wide range of employers. Currently, CIPFA members include a Vice President of Citibank, the head of the Budget Section at the European Space Agency and the chief executives and finance directors of the UK’s biggest public services.


To find out more about the CIPFA qualification and your future career prospects as a CPFA, speak to one of our trained advisers on 020 7543 5846, or go to www.cipfa.org.uk/eandt.