She is head of public sector assurance at Grant Thornton.
Tom Sowerby, CIPFA president in 1973/74, established the annual award for outstanding service to student education.
CIPFA president John Matheson said: “Sarah has tirelessly spoken out in support of CIPFA and the central importance that the CIPFA professional qualification has in developing strong financial management across the public sector and the importance of employers’ training not just accountants but CIPFA accountants.
“We feel Sarah best represents the qualities of commitment to the continuous improvement of the CIPFA student experience and leadership in the field of CIPFA training the award was established to celebrate.”
Howard is also a CIPFA examiner and an active volunteer in its work in the Yorkshire and Humberside region.
