CIPFA Student Network President Susanna Farrell celebrates the next generation of public finance professionals.
CIPFA, in partnership with the CIPFA Student Network, hosted its first national graduation ceremony in early May, welcoming CIPFA graduates from across the UK to celebrate the important milestone of achieving qualified status.
Held at the historic Chartered Accountants’ Hall in London, one of the profession’s most recognisable venues, its remarkable architecture provided a fitting backdrop for such a significant milestone, immediately setting the tone for a memorable and inspiring event.
As CIPFA’s first national graduation ceremony, the event was a landmark moment, offering graduates the opportunity to come together from across the country to celebrate their achievements in one shared, meaningful occasion. It was wonderful to see attendees building new connections as they marked the moment.
More than 50 graduates took to the stage in front of their friends and family in an atmosphere filled with pride, achievement and support. The event recognised the hard work it requires to become a CIPFA-qualified accountant, and the support networks that help to make it possible. CIPFA President Sir Mark Lowcock opened the ceremony with reflections on his own route into the profession. This was followed by my thanks as President of CSN to everyone who had come together to celebrate the graduates’ achievements.
CIPFA CEO Owen Mapley then took to the stage, reaffirming his support for the graduates and highlighting the lasting value of a CIPFA qualification. The hall rung with applause and cheers for each graduate crossing the stage!
The ceremony concluded with a reception, giving graduates, families, friends and colleagues the opportunity to celebrate together and reflect on the beginning of the next stage of their professional journeys across public finance.
Many congratulations to all the graduates – I wish you all the very best in your public finance futures!
