CIPFA runs various events to help finance professionals understand and make the most of technology, such as AI, Power Query, and Excel, in public finance.
Advanced Excel updates for accountants
This session will cover the most recent updates to Microsoft Excel that are particularly relevant for accountants, including;
- New Excel features – new shortcuts, data types, XLOOKUP, and dynamic arrays
- Enhanced Collaboration Tools in Excel - co-authoring, sharing and version control
- Advanced data analysis features – visualisations, linkages to Power Query, and Power BI
- The opportunity to have your Excel questions answered
Sign up to attend Advanced Excel updates for accountants
Introduction to Power Query
This session will cover an overview of key features and capabilities of Power Query and integration with Microsoft Excel, including use cases for Power Query, plus the opportunity to have your questions answered.
Sign up to attend Introduction to Power Query
Building compelling business cases for technology solutions in public sector finance
The session will guide finance professionals on how to make the case for AI adoption, and how to measure and communicate the impact of technology projects in the public sector. The session will cover
- Scene setting
- Brief recap of the five-case model, highlighting the areas that require special consideration when applied to technology projects like AI
- Crafting the Case for AI and Technology Solutions – using case study
- Measuring and communicating specific impacts of AI when traditional metrics may not fully capture the benefits
- Reflection, Q & As, further resources
Sign up to attend Building Strong Business Cases for Tech Solutions
Roundtable discussion - Unlocking Data Value in Local Government: From Compliance to Strategic Asset
With growing financial pressures, increasing service demands, and evolving regulatory expectations, now is the time to prepare your council’s data for the next generation of technology-driven transformation. Join CIPFA and CIVICA to exchange insights, challenge assumptions, and leave with practical takeaways to enhance your local authority’s data maturity. Expect an open discussion with real-world examples, and peer exchange.
Who should attend
Service Directors in social care, housing, and finance keen to leverage data for better decision making.
Benefits of attending
This session provides a collaborative forum to:
- Share real-world challenges around data quality, governance, and trust.
- Discuss practical approaches to balancing data risk and value.
- Learn from peers who are unlocking efficiencies and improving decision-making.
- Identify quick wins for using data to drive savings and service improvements.
Sign up to attend Unlocking Data Value in Local Government
Prompt along - hands on AI prompt engineering for finance professionals
Unlock the power of AI in this hands-on online session designed specifically for finance professionals! "Prompt along" dives into the art and science of prompt engineering, giving participants the tools to craft effective, targeted prompts for using AI technologies in their work.
In collaboration with ICAEW, this session is designed for finance professionals who want to harness the potential of AI but are unsure where to start. Through hands-on demonstrations and real-time engagement, you'll gain practical insights into designing prompts that optimize AI's capabilities.
Register your interest in attending by emailing florence.bastos@cipfa.org
Building AI Agents for Accountants
Our partners, ICAEW are hosting this hands-on exploration designed for finance professionals who want to see AI in action. This hands-on online seminar will show you how AI can be applied in the accounting field and guide you step by step through creating a simple AI tool as a proof of concept. Explore real-world examples, learn practical insights, and see how AI-powered solutions can transform your work.
Register your interest in attending by emailing florence.bastos@cipfa.org
Network events
Better governance network - Senior Internal Auditor Skills
AI benefits, risks, and responsibilities by Florence Bastos
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to shape the future of public service delivery, local authorities in the UK face new challenges in ensuring these powerful technologies are used responsibly and effectively. Join us for this engaging and informative session to better understand how AI is transforming local government, and how internal auditors can take the lead in promoting responsible AI governance within their organisations.
Session outline
- Overview of AI and adoption in local government
- AI benefits and risks
- Applicable regulation and guidance – EU AI act and Action Summit's International AI Safety Report
- Case study
- Reflection, question and answer
Sign up to day 1 for the AI session in Senior Internal Auditor Skills
Social Care Advisory Network
Data and technology enabled social care - by Dr William Burns
Discover how innovative technology and smart data is empowering social care teams to address challenges and deliver efficient services. This interactive session features real-world examples, facilitated discussions, and a Q&A.
Session outline
- Welcome, meet the speakers.
- Breakout discussion on data & technology milestones and needs.
- Case study 1 - Magic Notes
- How Infoshare+ Stats+ supports decision-making and resource allocation in social care
- Case study 2 - Technology enabled care
- Reflection, question and answer
Who should attend
social care professionals, managers, and decision-makers looking to explore the latest tools and strategies to improve service delivery.
Benefits of the session
Connect with peers, share insights, and leave with actionable takeaways that can be implemented in your own organisation.
Subscribe to the Social Care Advisory Network for details on signing up to this session.
Achieving Financial Excellence in Policing (AFEP) CFO Summit
An interactive session tailored for CFOs of police and crime commissioners in the UK, exploring AI’s role in improving public sector operations. Participants will learn from real-world case studies, including the West Midlands Police's virtual phone answering assistant and Derby City Council's Co-Pilot, and engage in a collaborative exercise to identify where AI could create value within their own contexts.
Session Outline
- Brief overview of AI, highlighting the potential.
- Case study 1 – How AI-powered virtual assistants reduced the burden on human resources at West Midlands Police.
- Case study 2 – How AI is automating repetitive tasks, improving citizen engagement, and supporting decision-making with data-driven insights at Derby City Council.
- Break out discussion: Exploring pain points in accounting operations and potential solutions.
- AI applications in finance and accountancy for the public sector.
AFEP members can learn more about the AFEP CFO summit
PF Live plenary session
Workforce capacity and capability in the age of tech disruption - 25 June 25, 11.30 am
Tackling public sector workforce challenges requires careful planning, investing in staff development, and creating flexible skills to adapt to change. This discussion looks at how the public sector's workforce needs are changing and how new technologies are transforming accounting. Our speakers will share ideas and strategies for closing skill gaps and encouraging continuous learning, helping your team stay adaptable and prepared for the future. You'll leave with practical tips to help public sector finance professionals succeed in today's fast-changing tech landscape.
Key discussion points:
- Bridging the skills gap in the face of emerging technologies
- Strategies for upskilling and reskilling the public sector workforce despite financial constraints
- Leveraging AI and automation without sacrificing foundational accounting expertise
Learn more about the full outline of PF Live events
