HFMA: moving forward

A big thank you to all our members who completed our member survey. I will discuss the results in the next issue of the magazine after we’ve analysed the results in more detail. It is vital we receive feedback, however small, so we can assess what we do for you as members and revise the support we offer to meet your needs.

Last month, the HFMA board met in Manchester to review progress against plan and consider how we can move forward. The current challenges are mainly financial – we are slightly adrift of plan for this financial year and working hard not to post a deficit. The big investment we’re making in education has yielded great rewards, but arrangements are still bedding in.

There are also some Brexit impacts for us. Our investment returns are a little more subdued than they have been and Rochester Row bookings from our government business are slightly down. The board considered this and our longer term finances. We are not making the sorts of margin that we did, say, five years ago. In part, this is because we’re following through on our strategy to produce more for members. Our small but expert policy team is
on target to publish 35 briefings this year.

Many associations have dropped their printed magazine or resorted to a cheaper ‘coffee table’ type version. Ours is written to support the finance function, containing detailed professional content, good practice case studies and opinion. I’m very proud of it, and our online content and dedicated member app.

The board also approved our plans to become an apprenticeship provider, initially offering level 4 accountancy training. To find out more, email [email protected]. The ultimate aim is to offer a senior leader’s apprenticeship at masters-level – we’ll be announcing more about this in the coming months.

Our conference schedule remains busy, with our early summer round of faculty events. Our numbers are holding up and we are hoping to unveil plans to reshape some faculty offerings. Currently we run director forums and we’ve received requests for more for staff further down the management structure. We’re also looking at how we weave the needs of the new sustainability and transformation partnerships into our structure. So there’s plenty to think about.

Time is short before our summer conference, where we will hear from new NHS chief financial officer Julian Kelly. I’ve met Julian and he seems to be in listening mode as he starts what is by anyone’s standard ‘a big job’. We stand ready to assist the new regional structure in whatever way we can, as we see the emergence of a new system for the service. The summer conference is being held in Bristol in July and I’m pleased to confirm Alistair Campbell as the closing speaker.

Many of you will have had your annual review recently, as the new financial years kicks off. Is there something you could do for us? Contribute to a policy or research project? Write an opinion? Join a committee? Or just get involved in the branch? Being a volunteer for the HFMA is interesting, rewarding and can benefit your career. So please, don’t just join HFMA, join in and make this an even better association.