CIPFA CPD Requirements 2026: 20 Hours and 1 Ethics Hour
CIPFA members entitled to use CPFA or FCPFA must show at least 20 hours of learning a year, including 1 hour of ethics, under an output-based approach since January 2025.
The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, known as CIPFA, changed its CPD rules from 1 January 2025. CIPFA's CPD policy now takes an output-based approach: members must show what they achieved from their learning, with at least 20 hours of learning in each CPD year and at least one hour of ethics-related training. Members complete an Annual Members' Statement by 31 March each year. This guide sets out who the rules cover, what changed, how the audit works and what the exemptions are. For other UK bodies, see our comparison of ACCA, CIMA, ACA and Chartered Accountants Ireland CPD.
At a glance
| Requirement | What the rules say |
|---|---|
| Who it covers | All CIPFA members entitled to use the CPFA and FCPFA designations; fully retired members are exempt unless they hold a voluntary role that relies on the designation |
| Approach | Output-based: show what you achieved from your learning, not just the activities you completed |
| Minimum learning | At least 20 hours of learning per CPD year |
| Ethics | At least 1 hour of ethics-related training; CIPFA offers a free ethics e-learning course in the Members Hub |
| Annual Members' Statement | Due by 31 March each year, whether or not you work for an accredited employer |
| Records | Keep a CPD record for each CPD year; you can keep it separately and upload it later |
| Audit | Selected members add all CPD records to the platform; audit emails set a deadline of 15 working days |
| Consequence | Failure to comply may be a ground for disciplinary action under the Institute's Byelaws |
What changed in 2025
CIPFA's members pages describe the change as a move from an input-based to an output-based approach, effective 1 January 2025. The older model counted hours over a longer window. Some CIPFA pages we saw in October 2026 still described 120 hours over three years with at least 20 in any one year, citing guidelines from 2013. CIPFA's November 2024 CPD policy and its news pages describe the new rules, so treat the older figures as out of date.
The 20 hours of learning
The policy requires at least 20 hours of learning in each CPD year. The output-based approach changes what you record. You are expected to say what you learned and how you applied it, so a certificate of attendance on its own is a weak record.
Ethics training
Members must complete at least one hour of ethics-related training. CIPFA provides a free ethics e-learning course in the Members Hub under Resources. CIPFA does not say in the pages we read that the ethics hour sits inside the 20, so plan for it to be counted in the learning total and confirm with CIPFA if your records depend on it.
Who must comply and who is exempt
CPD is mandatory for all CIPFA members entitled to use the CPFA and FCPFA designations. Fully retired members are exempt, but retired members in voluntary roles that rely on their CIPFA designation must comply. Members on a career break or facing extenuating circumstances can apply for an exemption by emailing CIPFA's membership administration team, and a member who is exempt for all or part of a period needs written acknowledgement from CIPFA. The pages we read do not say how CPD applies to affiliates or students.
The Annual Members' Statement
Each member completes the Annual Members' Statement by 31 March every year. It is required whether or not you work for a CIPFA Accredited Employer. The statement is where you declare that you have complied, that you work for an accredited employer or that you are exempt.
Records and the annual audit
Keep a record of your CPD for each CPD year. CIPFA says you may keep it separately and upload it later. Each year CIPFA audits a sample of members, who must add all of their CPD records to the platform for review, including evidence of the ethics training. Audit emails set a deadline of 15 working days. Members who work for CIPFA Accredited Employers, exempt members and members under disciplinary investigation are excluded from the audit. CIPFA's pages do not say how long you must keep evidence, so keep it for at least as long as the next two audit cycles.
Consequences
CIPFA says failure to comply may be a ground for disciplinary action under the Institute's Byelaws. A member who is selected for audit and cannot supply records in time risks that outcome, so treat the 15 working days as a hard deadline.
Planning your year
Set a simple plan at the start of the CPD year: name the two or three outcomes you want, schedule the ethics hour early so it is not left to March, and write two lines about the result after each activity. If you also hold another body's membership, such as ACCA or CIMA, check whether the same activity counts for both. Our CPD for accountants guide explains the wider picture.
Frequently asked questions
How many CPD hours does CIPFA require?
At least 20 hours of learning in each CPD year, including at least one hour of ethics-related training, under an output-based approach from 1 January 2025.
When is the Annual Members' Statement due?
By 31 March each year, whether or not you work for an accredited employer.
Do retired members need to do CPD?
Fully retired members are exempt, but retired members in voluntary roles that rely on their CIPFA designation must comply.
What happens if I am selected for audit?
You add your CPD records to the platform for review. Audit emails set a deadline of 15 working days, and failure to comply may be a ground for disciplinary action.
Is the old 120 hours over three years still correct?
No. CIPFA's November 2024 CPD policy replaced it from 1 January 2025, although some older CIPFA pages may still show the old figures.
Finding courses that count
Learnsignal publishes accounting, tax, audit, ethics and finance courses in its CPD and CPE library. Before you pay for any course, check the awarding body's own rules on what it accepts, and keep the certificate and the course details. See our CIMA versus CIPFA comparison if you are choosing between the two.
Source: CIPFA CPD Policy 2024 (November 2024), CIPFA members pages on the January 2025 changes, and the CIPFA CPD web page, checked October 2026.
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