The CIMA Professional Qualification
Management accountants analyse information to advise strategy and drive sustainable business success. Anyone can study the CIMA qualification, whether they’re new to finance and business or an experienced professional.
CIMA’s objective in designing the syllabus is to enhance the employability of students and members. It intends to create a learning system that enables learners to acquire skills, competencies and mindsets that are in high demand by employers. This has never been more important with the pace of change increasing and traditional roles being redefined by technology and digital advances.
Structure of the CIMA Syllabus
The CIMA Syllabus comprises nine subjects that are organised in three pillars and three levels.
The Pillars
The three pillars represent specific areas of knowledge. The content of each pillar develops as students move up the qualification. The three pillars are interlinked to provide a coherent body of knowledge that will equip successful students with the competencies they require. The three pillars are Enterprise, Performance, and Financial.
The Levels
The syllabus is also divided into three levels of achievement. Students progress from the Operational Level to the Management Level and finally to the Strategic Level. At each level students study subjects across the three pillars. Three levels are Operational Management, and Strategic.
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Overview of CIMA qualification
Enterprise Pillar
Articulate a vision in a digital world.
How do we articulate the role of the finance function in a digital world?
How do we manage performance through people and projects?
How do we develop and manage strategy?
Performance Pillar
Make the vision a reality
How do we use costing and budgeting for shortterm decision-making?
How do we monitor and control activity to ensure performance?
How do we identify, mitigate against and manage risks to the organisation?
Financial Pillar
Communicate and report on the vision through a financial lens.
How do we prepare financial statements?
How do we interpret financial statements and use them to support strategy?
How does financial strategy drive the ambitions of the organisation?
Operational (Implement)
• Implementation of decisions.
• Translate mediumterm decisions into short-term actionable plans; then report on performance.
E1: Managing Finance in a Digital World
A. Role of the finance function
B. Technology in a digital world
C. Data and information in a digital world
D. Shape and structure of the finance function
E. Finance interacting with the organisation
P1: Management Accounting
A. Cost accounting for decision and control
B. Budgeting and budgetary control
C. Short-term commercial decision-making
D. Risk and uncertainty in the short term
F1: Financial Reporting
A. Regulatory environment of financial reporting
B. Financial statements
C. Principles of taxation
D. Managing cash and working capital
Management (Monitor)
• Monitor implementation of decisions.
• Monitor, manage and analyse performance.
E2: Managing Performance
A. Business models and value creation
B. Managing people performance
C. Managing projects
P2: Advanced Management Accounting
A. Managing the costs of creating value B. Capital investment decision-making C. Managing and controlling the performance of organisational units
D. Risk and control
F2: Advanced Financial Reporting
A. Financing capital projects
B. Financial reporting standards
C. Group accounts
D. Integrated reporting
E. Analysing financial statements
Strategic (Decide)
• Make strategic decisions.
• Formulate and create strategy whilst managing the associated risks.
E3: Strategic Management
A. The strategy process
B. Analysing the organisational ecosystem
C. Generating strategic options
D. Making strategic choices
E. Strategic control F. Digital strategy
P3: Risk Management
A. Enterprise risk
B. Strategic risk
C. Internal controls
D. Cyber risks
F3: Financial Strategy
A. Financial policy decisions
B. Sources of long-term funds
C. Financial risks
D. Business valuation
Frequently Asked Questions
How is CIMA® qualification different from other accounting certifications?
CIMA® is currently the only global qualification in investment & management accounting. The single biggest difference is its focus on generating financial intelligence that help take optimal investment decisions for top management. Conventional accounting qualifications, on the other hand, are restricted to proving competence in management of accounts for regulatory, disclosure, audit and tax management purposes – roles that generally do not contribute to most parts of an organization's value chain or business functions.
What is CIMA qualification all about?
The CIMA qualification combines accounting, finance and management with the business skills and techniques you'll need to add real value to any organization. Supplementing your studies with an apprenticeship may be difficult to juggle, but that workplace experience can give your career a perfect start.
What is CIMA qualification all about?
The CIMA qualification combines accounting, finance and management with the business skills and techniques you'll need to add real value to any organization. Supplementing your studies with an apprenticeship may be difficult to juggle, but that workplace experience can give your career a perfect start.
What are the benefits of studying CIMA?
Benefits of Being a CIMA Student Receive World-Class Education. If you are looking for world-class courses that meet international standards, look no further. ... Earn an Internationally Recognised Qualification. ... Boosts Your Earning Potential. ... Gain Competitive Skills. ... Job Opportunities.
What is the best way to study CIMA?
Studying Courses with a tuition provider. You can attend a course with one of the many global course providers that teach CIMA. ... Distance learning with CIMAstudy.com. ... Study with official CIMA textbooks and study materials. ... Combining study methods with blended learning.
Is CIMA equal to Bachelor degree?
A: No. Full completion of the CIMA qualification, including the practical experience requirement, is broadly equivalent to a Master's degree and has post-graduate status in the UK.
Can I do CIMA part-time?
With CIMA, you get to call the shots and study at your own pace in a way that suits you. You can study full-time, part-time, while working, in a classroom or through distance learning. You'll start with our entry level qualification, the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting.
