Questions for the CIPFA AGM June 2025

Questions for the CIPFA AGM (June 2025)

Based on the findings and analysis of the CIPFA 2024 Annual Report, the following are proposed questions for the Chief Executive, President, and Council:

1. **Independent Assessment Request**:

   - Will the Council now commission an **independent review** of CIPFA’s current and forward-looking **corporate governance arrangements** and **financial sustainability**?

2. **Membership Strategy**:

   - What specific actions does the senior leadership plan to take to reverse the decline in student and qualified member numbers?

3. **Financial Forecasting**:

   - What is CIPFA’s current financial forecast for the next 3 years, and how does it plan to return to sustainable surpluses and stem income losses?

4. Financial Performance In 2024.

Excluding profit from sale of intangible Assets. CIPFA'S Income fell from £28 .1m in 2023 to £27.4 m. In 2024.4. Can CIPFA please provide a breakdown of this circa £1.3m income reduction and the reasons for it?

If the asset sale income were to be excluded CIPFA 2024 net income would be negative at Circa - £500k!

Does the 2024 CIPFA financial performance marry up to the CIPFA business plan for 2024. If not why not?

5. **Leadership Accountability**:

- How does the senior leadership team respond to concerns that it has been reactive rather than strategic in addressing long-term challenges to CIPFA?

How effective is the CIPFA Council in holding the senior management team to account?

6. **Transparency in Governance**:

- Will CIPFA publish Council meeting minutes, board evaluation outcomes, and member feedback data to improve governance transparency?

7. **Sustainability and ESG Commitments**:

- Why has CIPFA not yet adopted defined sustainability metrics or disclosed progress on ESG-related goals especially DEI?

8. **Digital and International Growth**:

   - What are the next steps in growing CIPFA's digital learning footprint and expanding its presence internationally?

9. **Staff and Morale**:

   - Are there any plans for staff redundancies in 2025, and what steps are being taken to improve morale and retention?

It is understood that circa £38k of ex gratitude payments have been made by CIPFA. If so, whi have they been paid to and ehat were they for?

Does CIPFA have further plans to sell its assets to shore up its financial position?

9. **Relationships with External Bodies**:

   - How does the senior management team see the strategic relationship with **ICAEW and perhaos other professional bodies** developing over the next 3–5 years, and how will this benefit our members?

These questions aim to encourage openness, foster accountability, and ensure that member concerns are directly addressed.

Conclusion

While CIPFA has just maintained operational continuity amid financial strain, proactive reform is essential to ensure its relevance and stability in a rapidly changing environment. The above questions provide a roadmap for long-term renewal based on member value, strategic partnerships, transparent governance, and purposeful leadership.

Given that income and surpluses are falling we need a wide inquiry into CIPFA'S future.