Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Chief Finance Officers

The role of the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) occupies a critical position within the organisation including leading and directing financial strategy and operations, meeting the demands of accountable decision making and safeguarding the taxpayer's money. In a constantly changing environment it is important that the CFO has easy access to documentation that will support their continuing professional development.

This web page brings together relevant material and complements CIPFA's broader range of CPD support under three headings:

  • Public sector context
  • Technical knowledge
  • Leadership and influencing

Public sector context and needs

Section 114 notice issued by Woking Borough Council 

On Wednesday 7 June 2023, the Section 151 Officer and Interim Director of Finance issued Woking Borough Council with a Section 114 Notice in response to the unprecedented financial challenges facing the authority.

Section 114 notice

CIPFA Submission to the Levelling-Up Housing and Communities Committee Financial Reporting and Audit in Local Authorities - April 2023

This document provides insight into CIPFA’s position and is part of a wider contribution CIPFA is making to find solutions for this sector wide challenge. 

Submission to the Levelling-Up Housing and Communities Committee Financial Reporting and Audit in Local Authorities

Advisory note three: The importance of good governance, effective oversight and accountability of council-owned companies - March 2023

This advisory note formalises key messages from the CIPFA practice oversight panel on the crucial importance of good governance during the establishment and subsequent operation of council-owned companies.

Advisory note three

The Non-Domestic Rating Bill - March 2023

A new bill introduced on 29 March will modernise the business rates system to incentivise property improvements and support more frequent revaluations.

Non-Domestic Rating Bill

Penn Report - March 2023

The report, by Richard Penn, highlighted concerns around council housing subsidiary Brick By Brick and the corporate blindness of the organisation.

The Penn Report 2023

Financial Policy Statement - December 2022

The DLUHC policy statement sets out the government’s intentions for the local government finance settlement for the next 2 years. It provides details on council tax business rates .core spending and reserves. CIPFA has responded.

Local government finance policy statement 

Find a local public body’s audit report, National Audit Office - December 2022

This map tool map lets you explore where auditors have issued non-standard reports locally in the NHS and local government in England.

Find a local public body's audit report

Lessons from recent Public Interest Reports - September 2022

This new report considers the key themes from the latest set of interventions including Cultural issues and audit committee effectiveness.

Lessons from recent Public Interest Reports

Advisory note one: Understanding the challenge to local authority governance - May 2022

This note formalises key messages surrounding recent governance failures that have been identified in statutory and non-statutory reviews and public interest reports. It reinforces the good practice principles that local government bodies in the UK should adopt and signposts relevant documentation.

Advisory note one: Understanding the challenge to local authority governance

Local authority companies: the benefits and pitfalls - February 2022

This discussion with Nottingham City Council's Clive Heaphy and CIPFA CEO Rob Whiteman, considered the lessons learnt and how making the right choices about a company's structure, governance and finances and how to allow it to thrive while adding significant value to the communities it was designed to serve.

Lessons from recent Public Interest Reports - March 2021

This document pulls together lessons from PIR that are relevant for the sector as a whole.  The audit reports are comprehensive and wide-ranging and a lesson for all local authorities.

Lessons from recent Public Interest Reports

Technical skills

LASAAC Common Good Fund Guidance

This guidance primarily considers the Common Good funds of local authorities in Scotland. Appendix 2 of this guidance covers further information relevant to the trust funds of local authorities in Scotland.

Common Good fund guidance

CIPFA Bulletin 14 Supplement - The Triennial Valuation and IAS 19 Reporting - May 2023

This supplementary guidance covers the impact of the triennial valuation statements received for pension funds on IAS 19 Employee Benefits Reporting. It effects the 2021/22 financial statements.

CIPFA Bulletin 14 Supplement - The Triennial Valuation and IAS 19 Reporting

CIPFA Bulletin 14: Closure of the 2022/23 Financial Statements - April 2023

CIPFA issues Bulletins to assist practitioners with the application of the requirements of the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom (the Code), the Service Reporting Code of Practice (SeRCOP) and the Prudential Code, and to provide advice on emerging or urgent accounting issues.

CIPFA Bulletin 14: Closure of the 2022/23 Financial Statements

Thematic Review of Non Investment Asset Valuation Consultation - March 2023

This Consultation Paper is to consult on changes that will affect Financial Reporting Manual (FReM) adaptations and interpretations of International Accounting Standard 16 Property Plant and Equipment (IAS 16) and adaptations of International Accounting Standard 38 Intangibles (IAS 38), in respect of the measurement of assets.

Thematic Review of Non Investment Asset Valuation Consultation

CIPFA Bulletin 13 Local Authority Reserves and Balances - March 2023

CIPFA Bulletin 13 Local Authority Reserves and Balances provides guidance to local authority chief finance officers in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales on the establishment and maintenance of local authority reserves and balances.

CIPFA Bulletin 13 Local Authority Reserves and Balances 

Capital Risk Monitoring regime - February 2023

The slides from The Treasury management network are intended to raise awareness of the changes and future consultation from this element of the Levelling up and regeneration Bill.

Paper D Capital Risk Metrics slides

The CIPFA Bulletin 12: Accounting for Infrastructure Assets, Temporary Solution - January 2023

The CIPFA Bulletin 12 – Accounting for Infrastructure Assets – Temporary Solution covers the issues to be considered regarding the temporary solution for the accounting and reporting issues relating to infrastructure assets 

CIPFA Bulletin 12 Accounting for Infrastructure Assets Temporary Solution

Update to the Code and Specifications for Future Codes for Infrastructure Assets - November 2022

The Update to the Code and Specifications for Future Codes for Infrastructure Assets (the Update) provides amended specifications on the disclosure on gross cost and accumulated depreciation for infrastructure assets. The Update allows local authorities temporary relief from disclosing gross cost and accumulated depreciation until 31 March 2025.

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) based code

The CIPFA Bulletin 11: Accounting for Assets Owned by Religious Bodies and Used by Schools - October 2022

The CIPFA Bulletin 11 Accounting for Assets Owned by Religious Bodies and Used by Schools covers the issues to be considered regarding the accounting treatment of assets owned by religious bodies (church/trustees) for schools within the maintained sector.

CIPFA Bulletin 11 Accounting for Assets Owned by Religious Bodies and Used by Schools

The untapped potential of internal audit - May 2022

CIPFA's report on internal audit examines the untapped potential for the discipline in public services and how it can bring about valuable change

The untapped potential of internal audit

Consultations - May 2022

The CIPFA LASAAC Local Authority Code Board has announced an urgent consultation on temporary proposals to update of the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom for infrastructure assets.

Urgent consultation on temporary changes to the code to resolve infrastructure assets reporting issues

Local government capital investment and borrowing: proposed measures to address risk - May 2022

Legislative measures to address excessive risk arising from local authority investment and borrowing, while supporting local freedoms for much needed investment.

Local government capital investment and borrowing: proposed measures to address risk

CIPFA Bulletin 10: Closure of the 2021/22 financial statements - April 2022

CIPFA's Accounting and Financial Reporting Forum issues CIPFA Bulletins to assist practitioners with the application of the requirements of the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom (the Code), the Service Reporting Code of Practice (SeRCOP) and the Prudential Code, and to provide advice on emerging or urgent accounting issues

CIPFA Bulletin 10: Closure of the 2021/22 financial statements

Leading and influencing

Exploring blockchain technologies for collaboration and partnerships

Blockchain technology can revolutionise collaboration and partnerships in the public sector via practical guidance and real-world case studies. This report cuts through the hype, highlighting the potential benefits and limitations of blockchain while providing a decision-making framework for successful implementation.

Exploring blockchain technologies for collaboration and partnerships

Advisory note two: The importance of section 151 officers in discussions and decisions concerning severance pay

This advisory note provides a high-level summary of the government guidance on severance pay and recommends a number of actions that a s151 officer may wish to consider.

Advisory note two

Diversity equity and inclusion lighthouses Mckinsey Report - January 2023 

Leaders need clarity on what works to improve diversity, equity and inclusion. Mckinsey's 2023 report shows success factors that contributed to sustainable DEI impact.

Diversity and inclusion lighthouses Mckinsey Report

PWC Women in Work Index - January 2023

PWC Report Women in Work Index shows progress towards gender equality at work across the OECD has been exceedingly slow over the last 10 years

Women in Work Index

Diversity Wins: How inclusion matters - May 2022

As this report shows, however, I&D is a powerful enabler of business performance. Companies whose leaders welcome diverse talents and include multiple perspectives are likely to emerge from the crisis stronger

Diversity Wins: How inclusion matters

CIPFA Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub - January 2022

CIPFA's Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub is a free online resource for anyone that needs help, information or support

CIPFA Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub