CIPFA General News

London Boroughs begin search for future finance talent

A major recruitment drive to find the town hall finance chiefs of the future has got underway in the capital. Fifteen London boroughs have joined forces to find the best candidates to train as local government accountants. The campaign, now in its fourth year, is organised by the Society of London Treasurers and the accountancy body CIPFA.

Competition for the places is fierce and applications have to be received by 13 January 2008. With the initial recruitment process taking place online, applicants have to have a minimum of a 2:2 degree in any subject.

Steve Mace, chief accountant at the London Borough of Lewisham and the scheme co-ordinator for the 2008 intake, said:

“Lewisham is extremely keen that the scheme continues to supply us with the finance managers of the future. We have found from previous years that pooling resources in this way benefits the applicants as well as the London boroughs, ultimately it makes sense to have one recruitment drive rather than 33!”

After a rigorous selection process the chosen trainees begin their studies together at the CIPFA Education and Training Centre in August 2008.

A former trainee, Sushma Rao, now a finance officer at Ealing Borough Council, said:

“I have a very public-spirited mind, but also have a keen interest in finance and wanted to combine these in my job. So I felt very fortunate when I came across the Society of London Treasurers graduate finance scheme. The idea of studying for a professional accountancy qualification, whilst gaining the practical experience of working life appealed greatly to me. I was also impressed that the scheme incorporated college study days as part of the working week, rather than requiring students to find additional time to study on top of a full-time job.”

For more information visit http://www.financethefuture.co.uk