CIMA About

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

CIMA is the voice of over 158,000 members and students in 161 countries. It is responsible for the education and training of management accountants who work in industry, commerce, not-for-profit and public sector organisations.

Today’s marketplace demands a qualification that is desirable by employers. CIMA qualified people bring more than basic accounting skills to the table. They have an innate sense about the future; what it will look like, the demands it will present and what it will take to achieve success. The CIMA qualification is becoming the chartered qualification of choice.

CIMA has a total business focus – 99% of CIMA members and students work in business and not in accountancy practices.  This has enabled us to deliver a new professional qualification with double the focus of any competitor on business management and strategic management accounting.  Overall we provide more management, more management accounting, more project management and more strategy than any other UK accounting body.

Our syllabus is both practical and innovative. The unique blend of academic training and practical experience continues to provide employers with what they want - Chartered management accountants who have the leading edge skills to drive business growth.  This combination perfectly matches the needs of modern organisations.

Unlike other accountancy qualifications, TOPCIMA (the case study and final test of professional competence) tests for business awareness and higher level cognitive skills such as analysis, synthesis and evaluation. This requires students to take account of business, financial, ethical and human resource strategy issues – all taught through the syllabus.

There are other unique elements of the CIMA syllabus that makes the CIMA Professional qualification stand out from its competitors as the chartered qualification of choice for business. We have a major focus on ethics throughout the new syllabus and we are the only body to focus on interpersonal skills as a requirement of the new Professional qualification.

The CIMA qualifications are open to everyone. The syllabus builds step by step and you will develop your knowledge and skills as you progress through the qualifications. The CIMA qualification is similar in standard to undergraduate and postgraduate studies. You will need to demonstrate a good standard of Maths and be competent in the English language before you start.

Entry level into CIMA study depends on your level of education and experience. Graduates, post graduates and AAT qualified professionals may be exempt from certain CIMA exams.

If you do not have any relevant qualifications you can still study for the CIMA qualifications. A significant percentage of CIMA students have not studied relevant qualifications. Many employers welcome students from a wide range of academic backgrounds.

Studying for your CIMA Chartered Management Accountant qualification involves the completion of three levels of exams. You may register as a CIMA student at any time. However, registration for the November exam sitting must be completed by 31 July. The deadline for the May exam sitting is 31 January.

Upon completion of the Foundation exams, you will receive the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting and successful completion of the Intermediate stage will result in the award of the CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting. To become a Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA), you must also complete the final level of exams and gain three years of relevant practical experience.

It is recommended that students combine CIMA study with relevant employment. This will ensure that you apply your new skills in the workplace. It should also help you to progress quickly through the qualification. Many CIMA students receive financial support from employers allowing them to get the most out of their work and studies. You can work in any company and in any industry.

Contact details:
CIMA - Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
26 Chapter Street
London SW1P 4NP

Tel: 020 8849 2251
Fax: 020 8849 2450
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Website: http://www.cimaglobal.com