CIPFA and National School announce strategic partnership
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and the National School of Government (National School) are proud to announce the establishment of a new strategic partnership between their organisations.
The partnership aims to pool the resources of the two organisations to develop a range of training products and services in the areas of finance and governance. It will also help members and clients of both organisations across a wide range of public bodies to achieve their policy and business objectives.
The partnership will place a particular emphasis on developing accredited and qualification-based training programmes to provide core financial skills training and professional development to staff in centres of government throughout the United Kingdom. It builds on CIPFA's aim to provide professional accountancy training throughout the Civil Service, and is in addition to the successful fast track programme for senior civil servants being delivered in partnership with Warwick Business School.
CIPFA and the National School are also pleased to announce the development of a specially tailored accountancy qualification for the Civil Service Fast Stream training programmes. The course will provide a bespoke version of the CIPFA Professional Accountancy Qualification (PAQ) and will be available from autumn 2006 for graduate entrants to the Civil Service Fast Stream and trainee accountant programmes.
The qualification will be provided jointly in London by training staff from the CIPFA Education and Training Centre (CETC) and from the National School.
CIPFA chief executive Steve Freer said:
"CIPFA welcomes the strategic partnership with the National School of Government. In particular, we identify strongly with the four key aims of the new National School: developing leadership in the public services; increasing professionalism; delivering outcomes; and improving efficiency - many of which are at the heart of CIPFA's own recently published Development Strategy 2006-10"
National School principal and chief executive David Spencer said:
"CIPFA's undoubted expertise of public sector finance and National School's in-depth knowledge and practical experience of government will combine to develop the skills and professionalism of civil servants. Our partnership increases the capacity and capability of both organisations and will have a real and positive impact in departments."
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
The National School of Government is the business school for government. As trainer, consultant, broker, adviser and contract manager for government departments, the devolved administrations and agencies, the National School engages with over 30,000 public servants each year. Through its think-tank, the Sunningdale Institute, and collaborations with leading universities, business schools and professional institutions, the National School offers fresh high level thinking and advice on the issues and challenges facing modern public service. More information is at: www.nationalschool.gov.uk.
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) is one of the leading professional accountancy bodies in the UK and the only one which specialises in the public services. It is responsible for the education and training of professional accountants and for their regulation through the setting and monitoring of professional standards. Uniquely among the professional accountancy bodies in the UK, CIPFA has responsibility for setting accounting standards for a significant part of the economy, namely local government. CIPFA's members work (often at the most senior level) in the public service bodies, in the national audit agencies and major accountancy firms. They are respected throughout for their high technical and ethical standards and professional integrity. CIPFA also provides a range of high quality advisory, information and training and consultancy services to public service organisations. As such, CIPFA is the leading independent commentator on managing and accounting for public money.
Partnerships