10 June 2005
CIPFA students will soon be able to add a company audit and accounting certificate to their qualification.
The institute will also hold talks with the Professional Oversight Board for Accountancy over what additional study would be required of existing members who wish to add this specialism.
It will enable members to audit private bodies under the Companies Act 1989.
CIPFA policy and technical director Vernon Soare said the move reflected the blurring of boundaries between the public and private sectors, which arose from the growth of joint ventures and public-private partnerships.
'We found there were no-go areas of audit, with finance directors unable to audit these bodies as most come under the Companies Act,' he said.
The additional certificate is expected to make the CIPFA qualification more portable between the public and private sectors.
'It is difficult to gauge demand but we think there will be considerable interest because of the flexibility this offers,' Soare said.
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