Designed for public sector finance professionals without a formal background in financial accounting, this two-day course offers foundational knowledge and skills crucial for success in public sector finance.

The Financial Accounting (FA) Essentials course offers students a fundamental understanding of core accounting principles and concepts. It covers accounting theory, principles, and techniques for internal control and financial statement preparation, alongside key concepts such as accrual accounting, revenue recognition, and expense allocation.

The course includes practice with public sector case studies and real-world examples, emphasizing the application of financial data analysis to support decision-making. Through this practical approach, students gain valuable skills for analyzing and utilizing financial information in various professional contexts.

The FA Essentials course is designed to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the core principles and concepts in accounting. Throughout the course, students will learn how to create, interpret, and analyze financial statements while gaining insight into the principles of accrual accounting, revenue recognition, and expense allocation.

The course also equips students with the skills to analyze and use financial data for decision-making within organizations. The FA Essentials course serves as the foundation for a career in finance within the public sector, enabling individuals to support informed financial decisions and contribute effectively to the financial management of key organizations.

Students can immerse themselves in detailed workbooks, delve into thought-provoking case studies and hone their skills with practical examples assessments — all essential resources at their fingertips.

Elevating the learning experience, individuals can gain unique insights from prominent public sector professionals. They also have the opportunity to take advantage of networking events, which provide a prime opportunity to establish meaningful connections and gain firsthand exposure to real-world experiences.

The key value of this course is not just what you learn, but what it unlocks!

FA Fundamentals

• Students will gain the essential foundational knowledge, tools and skills of Financial Accounting necessary to navigate the Canadian public sectors specific financial regulations and standards. Unlike other accounting courses, this program is taught from the perspective of a financial professional in the public sector, using case studies, accounting standards and examples that are all public sector specific. This course therefore provides a catalyst for students careers specifically looking to excel in public sector financial management.

FA Certification

• Once they’ve participated in the course, if students want to continue to grow their knowledge and skills, they pursue CIPFA’s Certificate in Management and Financial Accounting. The knowledge gained via this Foundation Builder supports participants on their journey towards the first step in the CIPFA Professional Qualification. Here students will sharpen their Financial Accounting skills and study Management Accounting, which is the introduction to the principles of costing and budgeting, providing information to support management decision making. If they pursue this option, students use the material provided in the Foundation Builder, as well as access to progress tests and mock exams, to study and write the formal exams for both Financial and Management Accounting (first exam attempts are included in course fee). To do so, students must also become CIPFA members.

CPFA Accelerated Route

• If students want to take their career and knowledge even further, the ultimate path they can pursue is the CPFA Accelerated Route. Students who meet the eligibility requirements can pursue this distinguished two-year program designed exclusively for seasoned public sector professionals who do not yet hold an accounting qualification. As governments across the country begin to require professional designations in their finance functions, this masters-style program begins a new cohort every September and provides an intensive and highly rewarding route to the full CIPFA Professional Qualification. Upon completion, candidates will earn the CPFA designation, which is internationally accredited and nationally recognized by Canadian governments as the only designation to specialize in public sector financial management.