Healthcare Financial Management Association

What Healthcare Financial Management Association does

The Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) is a UK-based registered charity and professional membership association for healthcare finance, founded in 1950 and headquartered in Bristol with a registered office in London. It operates as the de facto professional body for NHS finance, serving 28,000+ members through 13 regional branches spanning England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, supported by 7 national networks and 16 policy committees. Its purpose is to support healthcare finance professionals — from entry-level staff through to Chief Finance Officers — as well as clinical leaders who work in partnership with finance teams to deliver value-based healthcare.

The core technology platform is a website-centric stack anchored by the HFMA Academy Learning Management System, which hosts the HFMA bitesize courses, full qualification programmes, and CPD content; a Healthcare Finance magazine publication engine; an HFMAtalk podcast channel; and an integrated Jobs Board linked to the NHS IMAS senior interim talent pool and One NHS Finance careers portal. The product portfolio is built around five connected pillars: CIPFA-certified Masters-level qualifications (with MBA progression pathways), an Online Learning Library including AI-in-the-NHS content, coaching and mentoring services, an annual and branch conference programme, and the HFMA Awards scheme spanning 13+ categories. Events are a significant operational deliverable, with both NHS-partner-rate and commercial-rate pricing tiers.

HFMA generates revenue through four primary streams: individual and organisational membership subscriptions (with organisational partnership tiers for NHS bodies such as trusts and integrated care boards), event registration and conference fees (£110-£185 for member tickets, £349 for premium programmes for non-partner NHS staff), qualifications and training programmes including CIPFA-accredited certifications, and commercial sponsorship of events and exhibitions. Distribution is hybrid: self-service online membership for individuals, direct sales through 13 branch networks for organisational partnerships, and a partnership/reseller channel via NHS IMAS for senior interim placements. Mark Knight serves as Chief Executive and Catherine Phillips as President for 2025/26.

Name

Healthcare Financial Management Association

Legal name

Healthcare Financial Management Association

Website

https://hfma.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

HFMA is a UK registered charity and the professional membership association for NHS healthcare finance, serving 28,000+ members across 13 regional branches with CIPFA-certified qualifications, online learning, conferences, and the HFMA Awards programme.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services (Healthcare Finance / NHS)

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Awarding Organizations & Credentialing Bodies (Certificates/Diplomas) (EDADAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Governance, Controls & Internal Control Frameworks (EDABAJAL)

Keywords

• Healthcare finance membership
• NHS finance training
• Professional association services
• Accountancy qualifications
• Healthcare finance events

Headquarters

HQ city

Bristol

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership fees for healthcare finance professionals, with organizational partnership tiers for NHS bodies
2. Event Registration Fees: Conference and event tickets ranging from £110-£185 for members, £160-£185 for non-members, plus gala dinner tickets at £30-£33
3. Qualifications and Training: Online learning library, HFMA qualifications including CIPFA-certified programmes, coaching, and mentoring services
4. Sponsorship and Commercial Opportunities: Sponsorship of events, exhibitions at conferences, and commercial partnership arrangements

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

HFMA is a UK registered charity and membership association that delivers professional development, qualifications, training, events, awards, publications, and policy guidance to NHS healthcare finance professionals and their organisations. Its commercial offerings centre on a tiered membership programme (individual subscriptions plus organisational NHS partnerships), CIPFA-aligned qualifications, an online learning library, coaching and mentoring, a national programme of conferences and awards, and targeted specialist training such as the VAT Training Programme.

Product overview

HFMA operates as a professional association offering a unified membership platform with interconnected educational programmes, events, publications, and career services. The core offerings include the HFMA Qualifications Programme (Masters-level healthcare finance qualifications with MBA pathways), an Online Learning Library (digital courses including AI in the NHS, NHS finance fundamentals, and intermediate qualification series), HFMA Coaching and Mentoring, and HFMA Events and Conferences (annual conference, regional branch conferences, CFO forums, and lunch-and-learn sessions). Supporting services include the HFMA Awards programme (13 categories celebrating NHS finance excellence), HFMAtalk Podcast, Healthcare Finance Magazine, Policy and Guidance Publications, a Jobs Board integrated with NHS IMAS talent pool and One NHS Finance, and specialised VAT Training programmes. The portfolio is anchored around the central mission of improving healthcare quality through effective financial management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• One NHS Finance: A national program supporting staff retention and developing talent in NHS finance.
• Healthcare Value Institute
• HFMA Awards
• HFMAtalk

Products and services

• HFMA Qualifications Programme A structured programme of professional qualifications for NHS healthcare finance staff, recognised by CIPFA, providing a defined development pathway from foundation through advanced levels. It is targeted at individuals and organisational NHS partners seeking CPD and career progression credentials within NHS finance.
• Online Learning Library An online library of on-demand training modules and learning resources for NHS finance professionals, delivered through the HFMA Academy platform. It supports continuing professional development and is available to individual members and organisational NHS partners.
• HFMA Coaching and Mentoring A structured coaching and mentoring service that pairs NHS finance members with experienced mentors to support career development, leadership transitions, and professional capability uplift. It is aimed at NHS finance staff at all career levels, particularly those progressing into senior roles.
• HFMA Events and Conferences A national and regional programme of paid events including the flagship HFMA Annual Conference and branch-level conferences across the UK. It provides sector-specific content, networking, and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for NHS finance professionals, with member and non-member pricing.
• VAT Training Programme A specialist training programme focused on NHS-relevant VAT issues, delivered as a paid event with per-delegate/per-room pricing aimed at NHS finance teams. It targets individuals and organisational NHS teams requiring up-to-date VAT compliance and practice knowledge.

Quantifiable outcome

• 89% reduction in nursing agency usage equivalent to £18m savings demonstrated by Kara Blackwell's work at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust, supported by finance governance embedding
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NHS Interim Management and Support (NHS IMAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHFMA works in partnership with NHS IMAS to support finance professionals ready to take up senior interim roles in the NHS. NHS IMAS has supported health organisations across England by resourcing and deploying experienced leaders on short and medium-term assignments to improve financial sustainability and support delivery of improvement programmes. The service is free to access for professionals with Band 8d+ experience.
• One NHS FinancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne NHS Finance is a collaborative initiative supporting staff retention and developing talent across NHS finance. HFMA provides careers resources and supports the National Finance Leaders Talent Pool through this partnership. Every individual working in NHS finance should receive a dedicated talent conversation each year.
• CIPFAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) partners with HFMA for qualifications. HFMA qualifications are CIPFA-certified. John Cornett, executive director of audit services and president of CIPFA Scotland, speaks at HFMA Scotland events.
• ACCAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Association of Chartered Certified Accountants partners with HFMA for professional development events. ACCA Scotland participates in HFMA Scotland Branch conferences with sessions on productivity and public services.
• First IntuitionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFirst Intuition is an ACCA-approved learning provider that partners with HFMA Yorkshire and Humber Branch for student conferences and exam preparation support for AAT, ACCA, CIMA, and CIPFA students.
• AtosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtos is an exhibitor at HFMA Scotland Branch conferences as an AI-powered technology partner supporting digital transformation in public services.
• Academy of Medical Royal CollegescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHFMA runs joint roundtables on value-based healthcare with the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, addressing topics including waste reduction, data quality, programme budgeting, and difficult decisions.
• NHS ConfederationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNHS Confederation is referenced as a partner for healthcare policy discussions, with leaders like Darren Hughes commenting on Welsh health policy through HFMA channels.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association): AHIMA is a US health-information credentialing body that, like HFMA, serves a specialized healthcare workforce with certifications, policy advocacy, and member education — comparable in mission though focused on HIM rather than finance.

Direct peers

• ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants): ACCA is a global accountancy body that competes directly for student and qualified members in NHS finance and is simultaneously an HFMA event partner. Comparable in offering qualifications, CPD, and a member magazine/news platform.
• CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy): CIPFA is both an HFMA partner (certifies HFMA qualifications) and a direct peer offering public-sector finance qualifications and membership. It competes for the same NHS finance professionals and represents the most immediate substitution risk.
• CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants): CIMA offers management accounting qualifications and CPD heavily used by NHS finance staff, making it a direct competitor for member wallet share alongside being a partner via student-conference activity.
• AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians): AAT is the entry-level accountancy qualification body widely used by NHS finance trainees. It overlaps with HFMA's student member segment on AAT/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA qualification pathways.
• Healthcare Financial Management Association (US): The US-based HFMA is the most directly comparable peer — same name, same mission of supporting healthcare finance professionals — but operates across the American provider/payer landscape rather than the UK NHS, offering strong cross-Atlantic benchmarking on membership model, certifications, and content.

Broad incumbents

• NHS Confederation: NHS Confederation is the broader membership body for NHS organisations and leaders. While not finance-specialist, it competes for senior NHS leader attention and policy influence that HFMA also targets.
• Institute of Management Accountants (IMA): IMA is the US-based management accounting association with a global CMA credential. It serves a similar management-accounting professional niche and offers a comparable membership, certification, and CPE model.

Regional players

• Chartered Accountants Ireland: Chartered Accountants Ireland operates an accountancy membership and qualification model comparable to ACCA/CIPFA, focused on Ireland. Relevant as a regional benchmark for HFMA's potential Ireland expansion or cross-border credentialing.

Others

• Academy of Medical Royal Colleges: AOMRC is a strategic HFMA partner running joint value-based healthcare roundtables. It is adjacent rather than competitive — a clinical-side counterpart that helps HFMA extend its reach into the clinical-finance intersection.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC-tgm3QGsryTSEmjVJDmZTw
• Facebookfacebook.com/HFMAUK
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hfma_2
• Xx.com/hfma_uk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Healthcare Financial Management Association