CIPFA’s annual report is out, and CEO Rob Whiteman point out that despite the pandemic it “achieved the most successful performance for many decades”, delivering a £3 million trading surplus and £2.8 million improvement on budget.

He explained CIPFA also took the last year to review its business model, refresh the senior leadership team and craft a new five-year plan.

In March it successfully and very rapidly moved from face-to-face classes to online delivery. CIPFA was the only professional accountancy body to offer exams throughout the first lockdown, thanks to its early adoption of online invigilation, and it has hosted a highly successful series of webinars on student wellbeing and mental health.

The figures show the institute had income of £26,417,000. Income from education and training student members was £5,138,000 and expenditure came in at £5,6444,000. Membership subs brought in just under £3 million.