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CIPFA warning

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Hi there

A lot of information has been provided here which is very useful. I'm currently researching as to whether I should start CIPFA or CIMA. Given that my role is going to be in the public sector for the next 4 years as it is a Graduate Scheme - CIPFA might be the best option despite the administrational issues.

As both qualifications fall under the CCAB, the relevance & quality of the material should be relatively similar across. That being said, I also wouldn't mind specialising and focusing on only the Public Sector as I'm sure a lot is transferable to the Private Sector. During university and high school, I majored in Economics and Business Management which focused primarily on the Private Sector, hence it would be nice to see the other side as well. Yes, the wealth/money opportunities might be limited when compared to the Private Sector as the latter is all about the money. But at the end of the day, being part of a community that helps society can be also very fulfilling. Not to mention, there are a number of high paying positions in the Public Sector.

I find myself in a continuous debate about what would be better. I guess I have still a bit of research to do in terms of worldwide recognition, as although I don't mind working in the Public Sector - I might want to relocate outside of the U.K. to say Australia or New Zealand.

If there are any further thoughts that anyone has based on what they've heard or experienced, I would very much appreciated your inputs.

Thanks :smile:

Reply 21

Finance Chap

Hello – I appreciate that this thread is over four years old however I thought I would share my experiences and opinion of CIPFA.

I am currently working towards my strategic exams with CIPFA and have been a student member for the last two years.

Clearly what the person starting this thread says about the qualification being easy is not true given some of the pass rates which have been as low at 40-50% for some modules of late. The qualification in my opinion is a challenging but achievable one that requires the effort and commitment you would expect of a professional qualification.

As stated in previous responses to the original thread CIPFA is a CCAB qualification. It is highly regarded in both the public and private sector alike. Their qualification covers accountancy theory and practices that are relevant to both sectors and as you would expect has specific modules geared specifically towards the public sector organisations.

Competitive rivalry amongst trainees is only natural and can be seen in many professions where there are a variety of professional bodies to choose from. It’s well known within the profession that students often claim certain bodies are better than others, but in reality once people are qualified nobody really cares!

In the real world people are promoted on merit. A lot of what you learn studying for an accountancy qualification will not be used in the workplace. What I am getting at here is that it is experience that counts towards your prospects – having an accountancy qualification is merely a tick in the box, a basic requirement, a right of passage…

As a previous post stated discrimination is not unheard of in the world and I am without doubt that there may be a minority of organisations or individuals who will discriminate against people for not being qualified with their preferred institution, this applies to all accountancy bodies not just CIPFA. This is what I call academic snobbery and it is not isolated to the accountancy profession. This minority may also discriminate against the establishment from which you obtained your degree amongst a number of other things. I can assure readers that for every one organisation or individual who fall into this category there will be plenty who do not.

If you are a CIPFA qualified accountant and really do have a bee in your bonnet about the qualification then there is the option to become a CA with ICAEW or ICAS; regardless of this the CIPFA qualification is internationally recognised. The reality of it is that being dual qualified is simply unnecessary and is a commercial ploy to generate more income. As I said, becoming qualified is merely a tick in the box towards career progression; it is what you do with your qualification that counts.

With regards to the comments on student support I am aware that CIPFA have had a massive overhaul of their student support provision in recent years and I have personally not experienced any significant problems with it. My experience of the tuition provided by CIPFA is second to none. Students have the option to do online lectures, face to face or self-study. I have had experience of all forms of tuition and would recommend either method.

In closing I have no concerns about my future as a CPFA. If anyone has any questions feel free to send me a message.

CIPFA *warning*

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