1. smart solutions
supporting change

2. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change2
CIPFA
Business
Advisory
Advisory and
transformation (pg 4)
Networks (pg 12)
Recruitment
Interim (pg 18)
Permanent (pg 18)
Property
Networks (pg 14)
Software (pg 14)
Surveys (pg 15)
Learning
Conferences (pg 10)
Training (pg 24)
Information
Benchmarking (pg 6)
CIPFAstats (pg 8)
Publications (pg 16)
Social Research (pg 20)
TISonline (pg 22)

3. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change 3
‘With the challenge of managing finance being a paramount issue for everyone
working in public services and with organisational change so high on the agenda,
I would recommend working with CIPFA. Why CIPFA? – because they are the public
sector finance experts, so why wouldn’t you turn to them first – I did, and it has
produced tangible benefits for my organisation.’
Paul McGuire, Chief Operating & Financial Officer, Skills Funding Agency
CIPFA – the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy – is the world’s only professional
accountancy body to specialise in public services.
Whether helping finance teams develop new skills, providing innovative advice and guidance, or setting
standards to deliver best practice – we offer unique support to public sector finance practitioners as they
review and improve their business models and strategies to meet the new legislative challenges facing
public services.
At CIPFA we are committed to doing things better – we help our customers across the public sector spend
public money wisely and adapt to the changing environment. Our unique insight is used to develop essential
services which improve financial management, governance and performance across public services.
who we
are

4. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change4
■■ We offer a bespoke advisory service to support and give
advice on how you can improve service delivery. An
independent review by our experienced advisors will
highlight weaknesses and strengths and measure against
best practice. We have carried out this sort of work with
many local authorities who are seeking to make changes
and optimise performance.
■■ Using our Financial Management (FM) Model your
organisation can reach its strategic goals through
developing optimal financial management capability.
The model provides solid evidence which highlights sub-
optimal practice – powerful in the identification of critical
cost cutting opportunities and efficiency gains.
advisory and
transformation
We understand that to tackle the unprecedented issues facing the public sector today, finance managers
need tailored practical advice and support.
Wherever you operate in the public sector – when faced with these challenges, you need people who
understand your situation. We have the experience and skills to listen and understand, and respond with the
right solution.
We work across the public sector and have a range of advisory services that are designed to help
organisations generate income and improve efficiency.

5. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change 5
■■ Aimed mainly at local authorities and in response
to the climate of austerity, our new ‘Dealing with
the Cuts’ service involves a 2-4 week review and
report which will identify income generation and cost
reduction opportunities to close the funding gap.
■■ In response to the cost saving imperative of many
of our public sector customers, CIPFA together with a
specialist Private Finance Initiative (PFI) advisory partner
uses a tried and tested toolkit for the early identification
of cost savings in PFI projects.
■■ Transform your treasury operations at a strategic
and operational level with our new state of the art
online cash management and risk reporting system
called TreasuryLive.
Find out more about our advisory service visit
www.cipfa.org/advisoryservices or call our
Business Development team on 020 7543 5600.
ADVISORY

6. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change6
Bespoke services (an example)
CIPFA recently undertook a bespoke benchmarking exercise
for 30 NHS trusts across London on behalf of NHS London
Strategic Health Authority (NHSL). Data from existing
corporate service measures were combined with indicators
developed for the client’s specific requirements. Reports and
tools were produced that helped both NHSL and the individual
trusts target savings and improve the quality and efficiency of
their corporate functions and administrative services.
Corporate services
Our unique corporate services benchmarking clubs are used
by local authorities throughout the UK to drive improvements
and deliver value for money in areas of finance, governance,
revenues and benefits, human resources and legal.
Social care
CIPFA’s social care benchmarking clubs allow local authorities
to share and compare meaningful data in a non-judgemental
environment, focussing on both children’s services and adult
social care.
We are the market leader in public sector benchmarking. The process is a vital tool for lots of organisations
who strive to improve their operational performance. We compare your department or organisation’s data
with that of your peers so you can see how you are performing and where improvements can be made.
benchmarking

7. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change 7
Value for money indicators
Value for Money (VfM) Indicators is the leading benchmarking
tool for assessing value for money in the public sector.
HM Treasury recommends that organisations with over 250
employees collect and report against the indicators. Our
service covers areas like communications, finance, legal,
procurement and more.
‘Benchmarking shows where we should
focus our efforts to reduce costs and
improve corporate support services.’
Alan Cross, Director of Finance, Reading Borough Council
Find out more about our benchmarking service
visit www.cipfa.org/benchmarking or call our
Business Development team on 020 7543 5600.

8. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change8
‘CIPFA statistics is the first stop for comparative data that helps us understand our services’
performance and value for money and where we can improve them.’
Andrew Stevens, Assistant Director, Learning and Culture, Slough Borough Council
CIPFAstats is the leading independent source of data about local government and its services, providing a
framework for reviewing the efficiencies of local services with access to over 35 years of statistical data.
Used by service managers it provides a vital tool, helping to challenge costs and identify service areas that
need to be scrutinised.
We currently undertake more than 30 annual surveys of local authority operations, capturing information on
activities from education and social care to housing services and waste management. Interactive tools allow
local authorities to view performance data trends alongside those of their neighbours, providing essential
management information for evaluation.
CIPFAstats

9. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change 9
CIPFAStats A
Datashare
To support the transparency agenda, CIPFA in partnership
with London Borough of Redbridge have launched a new
platform to help public sector organisations make data
available in a simple and effective way, that meets the
needs of government and the public audience. DataShare
was developed to make accessing and inspecting public data
easier for everyone. It helps organisations meet government
expectations on the publication of public data and reduce
Freedom of Information requests by publishing performance
and financial data in an accessible and open format.
Find out more about our statistics service
visit www.cipfa.org/researchandstats or call our
Business Development team on 020 7543 5600.

10. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change10
Our conference portfolio is driven by our expert panels from
across the public sector, and our content is informed by the
latest economic and financial legislation. We provide the
latest in best practice that impacts upon both the public
sector and the professionals that work in it. Our events aim to
improve performance across disciplines such as accountancy,
audit, treasury management and governance.
Our Annual CIPFA Conference is the leading event in the public
finance calendar and brings thought leaders together to
explore new thinking, debate key issues and share knowledge.
CIPFA holds conferences across a range of subject areas from technical guidance to debate and food for
thought, provided by leading speakers, experts and commentators. From introductory sessions to strategic
debates – there is something for everyone.
conferences

11. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change 11
‘As a relatively new Head of Internal
Audit of a small local authority, the
conference has given me a good insight
into strategic issues, whilst being
extremely useful in some specific
technical areas. Excellent venue and
the event was very well organised.’
Paul Miller, Head of Internal Audit,
Horsham District Council
Find out more about our conferences visit
www.cipfa.org/events or call our Business Development
team on 020 7543 5600.

12. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change12
Our current CIPFA networks are:
■■ Better Governance Forum
■■ Benefits and Revenues Service
■■ Children’s Services Finance Advisory Network
■■ Finance Advisory Network
■■ Health and Social Care Finance Advisory Network
■■ Housing Network
■■ Insurance Network
■■ Pensions Network
■■ Police Network
■■ Procurement and Commissioning Network
■■ Treasury Management Network
■■ Tax Advisory Service
Over 900 organisations currently belong to a CIPFA network. You can join them and realise the benefits of
belonging to this unique service. Apart from accessing training to develop skills you will be able to tap into a
reservoir of thought leadership and best practice, helping your organisation improve performance and keep
abreast of the latest political, financial and service developments.
Membership of CIPFA networks means practitioners have an advisor at the end of a phone to give critical
and timely advice and support helping them resolve the challenges they face. It also offers the opportunity,
both face to face and online for public sector staff to develop their knowledge and skills in key areas. This is
vital in the current climate – to achieve objectives and deliver services in the context of tightening budgetary
constraints and increasing stakeholder demands.
networks

13. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change 13
‘The exceptional service provided by CIPFA
Networks has been invaluable in keeping
us up to speed with technical, financial and
legislative changes in the public sector.
This enables us to respond effectively to
challenges we are faced with and helps us
to improve efficiencies in our organisation.’
Nicholas Edwards, Director of Business Support/Head of
Finance, Scarborough Borough Council
Find out more about our networks visit
www.cipfa.org/networks or call our Business
Development team on 020 7543 5600.
NETWORKS

14. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change14
Networks
Our specialist property networks include: Asset Management
Planning, Highway Asset Management Planning, and
Construction and Property Advisory Service. Within these
networks we deliver focused and professional face to face
events every month all over the country. Our members can
also access the largest collection of asset management
information available in our online library, and are able to
benchmark their property data with other network members.
Software
AssetManager.NET provides unique asset management
capability, integrating capital accounting requirements with
the needs of legal and estates. Only AssetManager.NET offers
full IFRS compliance and is designed specifically for the
public sector.
Our comprehensive range of 22 modules can be delivered over
the internet, or hosted by your own servers – the software is
flexible and responsive to specific customer needs.
CIPFA Property Services help public sector finance and property professionals deliver efficient asset
management, and extract best value from public property assets.
We deliver an integrated, comprehensive service across asset management – including software, knowledge
sharing and advice.
property
services

15. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change 15
Surveys
We deliver a full range of property surveys, and our staff have
delivered over 100,000 surveys for public authorities over
10 years. We are able to deal with the number, diversity and
distribution of a local, regional or national authority asset
base and across all sectors.
Advisory
We offer an advisory service that aims to support the public
sector to improve efficiencies. Our experts can help you on a
range of topics such as strategic asset management, option
appraisals and tailored benchmarking exercises that will
help drive value for money in your organisation. The need for
outsourced and flexible expert help has never been greater.
Find out more about our property services visit
www.cipfa.org/property or call our Business Development
team on 020 7543 5600.
PROPERTY

16. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change16
CIPFA’s most sought after publications on Codes of Practice
help local authorities in the UK to maintain the highest
possible standards in financial reporting, consistent with
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
If you join our CIPFA Publications Service (CPS) you will
receive the latest publications (including Codes of Practice)
as soon as they are available. It’s free to join and you will save
20% on the cover price.
Many of our titles are produced and available to purchase in
both hard copy and CD ROM formats.
Find out more about our publications visit
www.cipfa.org/publications or call our
Business Development team on 020 7543 5600.
Our publications, written by expert practitioners who understand the challenges you face, will keep you
up to date with the latest developments and legislative changes. This essential knowledge and guidance
will help you in your daily role.
Our publications cover a wide range of topics like Treasury Management, Auditing, Governance,
Financial Management, Social Care, Pensions and many more.
publications

17. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change 17
‘The guidance notes provide a
valuable and timely source of reference,
enhancing professional development
and incorporating accounting changes
and comments by practitioners to
ensure that information provided is
improved year by year.’
Conrad Hall, Head of Business Management
and Service Support, London Borough of Lewisham

18. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change18
Interim services
With over 20 years specialist interim experience CIPFA
Recruitment Services has a unique depth of experience,
and access to many associates to attract the very best
public sector talent. We have fully-referenced and seasoned
interim professionals ready to deliver what our clients
want, every time.
Permanent services
We draw on our unique understanding of the challenges
facing the public sector, and the experience needed to meet
these demands. Our extensive network of candidates helps us
provide the right person to suit your specific requirements.
Our comprehensive end-to-end service includes campaign
management and full search and selection.
Our unrivalled knowledge of the public sector means we can bring you the right people for the job. We place
the best people in permanent roles and interim assignments across the full range of finance, resources and
executive positions in the public sector. We have access to a pool of around 3,000 associates – all highly
qualified with very relevant public finance knowledge – clients can rely on us to deliver.
recruitment
services

19. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change 19
‘Their strength and depth of public
sector finance professionals places them
head and shoulders above other providers
in that market!’
Tim Shields, Chief Executive, London Borough of Hackney
Find out more about our recruitment services
visit www.cipfa.org/recruitmentservices or call the
CIPFA Recruitment Services team on 020 8667 1144.

20. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change20
Consultation with end users and stakeholders helps our customers build a better picture of how services are
perceived and used, and most importantly how they can be improved. The CIPFA Social Research team help
organisations to understand the needs of existing, lapsed or prospective clients by undertaking surveys using
a range of research methodologies.
We have questionnaires that can be used ‘off the shelf’ such as our Public Library User Survey (PLUS)
to provide rapid solutions, alternatively we can tailor research programmes depending on your
exact requirements.
social
research

21. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change 21
Increasingly our surveys are being used to not only
measure satisfaction but as the means by which to
market services to existing and potential service users.
Our surveys help to identify the costs and benefits of a
service and to produce evidence of value for money.
Find out more about our social research services
visit www.cipfa.org/researchandstats or call our
Business Development team on 020 7543 5600.
SOCIAL RESEARCH

22. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change22
This easy to access and user-friendly resource, gives you
essential, authoritative and comprehensive information and
commentary on the topics that matter to you – all in one
place. With over 30 information streams TISonline is compiled
and maintained by practitioners, for practitioners with
commentary on the financial, legislative, administrative and
strategic context in public services. Subscription to TISonline
gives online access to everyone in your organisation.
TISonline also provides popular and active discussion forums
for advice from fellow practitioners on a range of topics
including audit, finance, fraud and VAT.
Right now, with massive changes taking place you are being asked to improve services and maximise
outcomes – all with fewer resources. To do this you need the right information, support and guidance.
Over 630 organisations in the public sector, including 90% of local authorities subscribe to TISonline and our
website gets 7,000 unique visits a month.
TISonline will provide you with the intelligence you need to plan effectively, make key decisions and
review performance.
TISonline
‘TISonline keeps me up to date and at the cutting edge of local government financial issues.’
Chris Beet, Principal Accountant, East Riding of Yorkshire Council

23. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change 23
Our 34 information streams are grouped under the
following topics:
TISOnline
■■ Accountancy and Audit
■■ Corporate Services
■■ Education
■■ Emergency Services
■■ Environment
■■ Financial Management
■■ Health and Social Care
■■ Leisure and
Cultural Services
■■ Local Authority Funding
■■ Social Housing
■■ Taxation
■■ New – Charities and
Social Enterprises
Find out more about our TISonline service
visit www.cipfa.org/TISonline or call our Business
Development team on 020 7543 5600.

24. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change24
Open Courses
CIPFA offers over 200 short courses for finance and
non-finance professionals. From technical training to people
development, best practice to the latest legislation updates,
our convenient courses provide half, one and two-day skills
and CPD opportunities around the UK.
In-house training
We offer all our classroom-based training courses in-house
at an organisation’s location making fulfilling your team’s
CPD and building their skills, simple and effective. Training is
delivered at your location, at a time that suits you, and can be
50% cheaper than traditional open course delivery.
CIPFA provides training courses for both finance and non-finance staff throughout the public sector. Our
unique expertise and experience in the public sector makes our training and development second to none.
We offer training across a number of themes including financial management, audit and risk, performance
and efficiency and business change.
We offer training courses from introductory to specialist level, through e-delivery or on-site at your location,
which provide a wealth of guidance and continuing professional development opportunities. We will help
your team at every career stage.
training

25. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change 25
Accredited training
We also provide more extensive but focused training aimed
at providing accredited skills in association with specialist
and leading organisations. Our programmes include project
management, open book accounting, governance and counter
fraud and investigative practice.
‘We are committed to improving financial
capability across the organisation and with
CIPFA’s innovative programme of blended
learning, Lambeth is able to move forward
with confidence.’
Georgia Nicolaou, Head of Learning and Development,
Finance and Resources, London Borough of Lambeth

26. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change26
Webinars/Online
We deliver training via a range of online methods both
synchronous and asynchronous to include webinars and
traditional e-learning.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
All CIPFA’s training offers key CPD opportunities, whether
for CIPFA’s own members and their commitment to
structured skills enhancement or for members of other
professional bodies.
Find out more about our training courses visit
www.cipfa.org/training or call our Business Development
team on 020 7543 5600.

27. CIPFA | smart solutions, supporting change 27
A number of other qualifications are available from CIPFA:
■■ Our International Public Financial
Management qualifications
■■ The Certificate in International Public Sector
Accountancy Standards
■■ The Certificate in International Public Sector
Financial Reporting
■■ The Certificate in Charity Finance and Accountancy
■■ The Certificate in Financial Reporting in Academies
For more information on our qualifications visit
www.cipfa.org/training-and-qualifications or call
the Employer Relations team on 020 7543 5797.
CIPFA
membership
Across public services CIPFA members are valued for their distinctive specialism as well as technical and
leadership skills. Many of our members work at the most senior levels and are highly influential.
Our members qualify through the CIPFA Professional Qualification, the gold standard for a career in
public finance. This is the only professional accountancy qualification to teach and assess public sector
accountancy techniques and requirements making it highly relevant for the sector as well as for a broad
accountancy career.

28. Head Office
CIPFA, 3 Robert Street,
London WC2N 6RL
E: corporate@cipfa.org
T: +44 (0)20 7543 5600
CIPFA Northern Ireland
3rd Floor, Lesley Exchange 2,
22 East Bridge Street, Belfast, BT1 3NR
E: nitraining@cipfa.org
T: +44 (0)28 9026 6770
CIPFA Scotland
Beaverbank Business Park,
22 Logie Mill, Edinburgh, EH7 4HG
E: scotland@cipfa.org
T: +44 (0)131 550 7530
CIPFA Wales
3-7 Rhodfa Columbus Walk,
Caerdydd/Cardiff, CF10 4SD
E: wales@cipfa.org
T: +44 (0)29 2052 3470
our offices
®
Registered office:
3 Robert Street, London WC2N 6RL
T: 020 7543 5600 F: 020 7543 5700
www.cipfa.org
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy. Registered with the Charity Commissioners of England and Wales No 231060.
CIPFA Business Limited, the trading arm of CIPFA that provides a range of services to public sector clients, registered in England and Wales no.2376684
2013/04