Lindie Engelbrecht explains how you can grow, adapt and lead with purpose.
Embarking on a career in public sector finance offers more than just job security or a stable salary. It’s an invitation to be part of something bigger – to help shape communities, support national priorities and to contribute to long-term public value. But to make the most of this opportunity, future finance professionals need wider professional aptitudes than just technical skills. They need clarity, adaptability and a mindset focused on growth.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is this: success starts with asking the right questions. What do I want to achieve? What do I want to be remembered for? Do I want to keep learning, evolving and challenging myself?
The public sector is dynamic and ever- changing. As finance professionals, we must be equally agile, ready to reassess our goals and adapt our path. Career plans aren’t static documents: they’re living strategies that should grow with you.
Resilience your superpower
In this field resilience isn’t just useful – it’s essential. As Lin Liu, Finance Team Leader at Bedford Borough Council and previous CIPFA Student Network President, said at Public Finance Live 2025, you’ll face setbacks.
You’ll have moments of doubt. But resilience means staying the course, bouncing back and finding new motivation when things don’t go as planned.
I’ve found that generosity of spirit and openness to new perspectives can strengthen your resilience. Sometimes you’ll need to let go of short-term comforts to stay aligned with your long- term ambitions. Taking a risk and grabbing hold of new opportunities can broaden your experience.
And adopting a long view can sustain you through tougher stretches and keep your purpose in focus.
Building balance
Achieving balance isn’t about perfection every day; it’s about understanding your priorities and practising self-compassion when things inevitably go off track.
One of the most effective ways to foster growth is by stepping outside your formal job description.
Say yes to new opportunities, try a different project or volunteer to help when a cross- functional team needs support. These moments of stretching beyond your comfort zone often lead to the most transformative growth and can open unexpected doors.
The most significant opportunities don’t always arise from being in the right place at the right time (though sometimes that helps). More often, they come from stepping up and going beyond your job role. No one ever moves up in their career by sticking to their job description; it’s the individuals who take on new challenges, expand their skillsets and venture outside their area of expertise who truly advance.
CIPFA support
At CIPFA we’re here to support you at every stage of your professional journey. Unsure of where to start? Our Competency Framework can help individuals and organisations identify the behaviours and skills that drive high performance in public finance.
This practical tool enables you to select and tailor the competencies most relevant to a specific role, helping you build stronger teams, deliver better services and support career development with clarity and confidence.
Whether it’s mentoring, training, or thought leadership, the institute is your career companion helping you shape a career that’s both fulfilling and future-ready.
Ten top tips
Inspired by my colleague Stephanie Donaldson, Deputy CEO and Chief Financial Officer at St Helens College and Knowsley Community College Group, whose advice really stuck with me, here are 10 principles I return to often:
- Don’t be too prescriptive – leave space for surprises.
- Stay open to opportunity but stay grounded in your values.
- Be brave and take calculated risks.
- Keep your CV current – you never know when you’ll need it.
- Get involved in professional volunteering.
- Trust your instincts – they’re usually right.
- Know your limits and be kind to yourself.
- Reach out for advice – it shows strength, not weakness.
- Own your mistakes and learn from them.
- Be yourself – authenticity is your greatest asset.
Building a rewarding career in public finance isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about staying curious, showing courage and choosing growth, even when it’s uncomfortable.
With resilience, reflection and the right support, along with intellectual curiosity and lifelong learning, I believe today’s finance professionals can forge impactful careers and help build a stronger, more equitable future for all.
- Lindie Engelbrecht, Director of Education and Membership, CIPFA
