“Even in the short period since I achieved the qualification, I feel more confident in all aspects of my role. Each unit I covered was relevant to my role and gives me the confidence to join in conversations, challenge, advise my colleagues and others, knowing I have this qualification to support me.”

Read more about Ally Bigwood’s experience of the CIPFA Programme here.

What will you study?

The areas that the programme covers include:

• financial management and reporting

• the education funding environment

• writing business cases and taking investment decisions

• governance, accountability and assurance

• procurement and contract management

• liaising with, and providing information to, internal and external auditors.

How long is the programme?

12 months

How is the programme delivered?

The programme is delivered either fully virtually online or through a blended approach of face-to-face sessions and online sessions. Each cohort will specify the method of delivery.

Each module starts with a day of learning, either face-to-face or online. On the blended programme, there are face face-to-face sessions over the 12 months, and each cohort is located in a UK city for these face-to-face sessions. The course is made up of practically assessed assignments and remote tutor support and delegates also have access to the CIPFA Learning Platform and use this to upload their assignments.

Two routes to accreditation

There are two routes available on this programme:.

• Full programme

• Practitioner programme

There are no specific entry requirements for this programme. If you are a qualified accountant then you will be eligible for the Practitioner programme. The programme flyer provides more information about the exemptions accepted.

Each cohort contains a mix of delegates taking both the Foundation programme and the Practitioner programme. For SBPs undertaking the practitioner route, this means that the programme will still take 12 months to complete, but there will be some modules that you are exempt from and so you will have some short breaks from your studies during the programme.

Entry requirements and exemptions

Whilst there are no specific entry requirements, we would anticipate that this programme of training would be most applicable to those who are undertaking, or have in the past undertaken, a School/Academy Business Manager or Education Finance roles and responsibilities.

If you have a professional accountancy qualification then you are eligible for the Practitioner programme. You can find out more here.

Accreditation and assessment

The course is assessed through a mixture of reflective activity / portfolio work plus an exam for the ‘Certificate in Financial Reporting for Academies’.

To gain accreditation, participants are required to complete or pass:

• Multiple-choice exam – Module 2 – Certificate in Financial Reporting

• Written assessment – Module 6 – Procurement and Contract Management

• Portfolio of evidence – From modules 1,5,7,8 and 9. This records evidence of learning and critical analysis, and how the skills developed have been translated to the working environment. Accreditation will require participants to complete reflective activities on each workbook, and this will also be covered in the face-to-face sessions.

What are the benefits of completing the programme?

• To participants - Those accredited with the Diploma in School Financial and Operational Leadership will be able to progress their career, assured that they meet the highest professional standards. This programme has been designed to provide a route to a professional accountancy qualification via CIPFA, should participants wish to pursue this in the future.

• To employers - This prestigious programme will enable employers to be assured of value for money from the certificate holder and so ensure the highest possible drive for public sector efficiency.