ICAS AND CIPFA are set to launch a new ‘gold standard’ public and corporate sector audit qualification.
The two bodies say it will combine the expertise of both institutes to meet the needs of the public and corporate sectors and lead to dual designations from both ICAS and CIPFA for those training for the new qualification.
Aimed at prospective students and existing practitioners working within this expanding mixed public/private sector environment, the qualification will lead to both public and company audit registration; the right to use both designations and be members of the two bodies.
Anton Colella, ICAS chief executive, said: “This announcement signals an important strategic alliance between ICAS and CIPFA which we believe will add value to both Institutes. It is a marker of the ambition which our Institute has to grow the scale and breadth of our education offering in a way that enhances our reputation and maintains the quality of the CA.
“This is an important step for ICAS in bringing together the best of both audit worlds into a new gold standard qualification.
Rob Whiteman, CIPFA’s chief executive said: “With the public sector making up around a third of UK GDP and increasing amounts of public spending carried out through the private sector, a joint qualification for auditors delivered by CIPFA and ICAS makes absolute sense for students and employers.”
Training in the qualification is set to start in autumn 2015 and can be delivered in a classroom scenario over three years or as a ‘blended learning model’.