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WELCOME
TO CIMA
Contents
The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting
2
The CIMA Professional Qualification 6
Study methods
9
Study support from CIMA
10
Resources by exam
11
Planning your studies
12
Your first CIMA exam
13
Be part of CIMA’s interactive network
15
CGMA – the global designation
18
Success stories
19
Questions and answers
22
Welcome to CIMA
1
22
The CIMA Certificate
in Business
Accounting
qualification
The CIMA
Certificate
in Business
Accounting qualification
CIMA is the world’s largest professional body of management accountants, offering an entry level and
professional qualification.
The Certificate in Business Accounting is our entry level accounting qualification for students with little or
no accounting background. It is a recognised qualification in its own right which is valued by employers.
Our Professional Qualification is regarded highly by employers around the world for its relevance
to business.
The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting
The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting syllabus has been designed to be relevant to employer
needs, coherent, to support the professional qualification and enhance the student learning experience.
The five certificate subjects are completely flexible. You can study the exams in any order and choose
any combination of exams to suit your way of studying. Students who carefully plan and commit to
their studies can complete the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification in 12-18 months.
About the syllabus
The syllabus is made up of five subjects:
• Fundamentals of Management Accounting (C01)
• Fundamentals of Financial Accounting (C02)
• Fundamentals of Business Mathematics (C03)
• Fundamentals of Business Economics (C04)
• Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law (C05)
C01 Fundamentals of Management Accounting
This exam deals with the basic techniques for the identification and control of costs and cost
management. It introduces the context of management accounting in commercial and public sector
bodies and its wider role in society.
A The context of management accounting
10%
B Cost identification and behaviour
25%
C
A
D
B
E
C
30%
10%
20%
25%
15%
30%
Planning within organisations
The context of management accounting
Accounting control systems
Cost identification and behaviour
Decision making
Planning within organisations
B
A
E
A
E
D Fundamentals
Accounting control
systems Accounting
C02
of Financial
C
BD
C
20%
A Conceptual and regulatory framework
20%
E exam
Decision
making
15%
This
takes
candidates through conceptual and regulatory frameworks,
accounting systems,
B Accounting
systems
20% controls for accounting systems.
preparing
accounting
statements for single entities, and the necessary
A
C
A
D
B
Preparation of accounts for single entities
Conceptual and regulatory framework
Control of accounting systems
Accounting systems
45%
20%
15%
20%
C Preparation of accounts for single entities
45%
D Control of accounting systems
15%
A Basic mathematics
15%
B Probability
15%
C Summarising and analysing data
A Basic mathematics
15%
15%
D
B
D
A
B
D
A
C
C
B
C
AD The
context of
management
Accounting
control
systems accounting
10%
20%
BEA Cost
identification
and behaviour
Conceptual
and regulatory
framework
Decision
making
25%
20%
15%
CB Planning
within
organisations
Accounting
systems
30%
20%
DC Accounting
systems
Preparationcontrol
of accounts
for single entities
A Conceptual and regulatory framework
20%
45%
20%
ED Decision
Control making
of accounting systems
B Fundamentals
Accounting systems
C03
of Business Mathematics
15%
15%
20%
E
BD
A
A
E
D
A
B C
D
BC
C exam
Preparation
of accounts
for single
entities
45%
This
introduces
students
to basic
mathematics, probability, summarising
and analysing data,
variables,
forecasting,
financial
mathematics
and
spreadsheets
ie
business
applications
D of mathematics.
AD Conceptual
and regulatory
framework
20%
C
Control of accounting
systems
15%
BA Accounting
systems
Basic mathematics
20%
15%
CB Preparation
Probability of accounts for single entities
45%
15%
DC Control
of accounting
systems
Summarising
and analysing
data
A Basic mathematics
15%
15%
15%
D Relationships between variables
B Probability
15%
15%
B
A
D
A
B CC
D
G B
E Forecasting
15%
C
C Summarising and analysing data
15%
A F E
Financial
mathematics
15%
AFD Basic
mathematics
15%
Relationships
between variables
15%
D
G
Spreadsheets
10%
BG
15%
E Probability
Forecasting
15%
FB E
C
CF Summarising
and
analysing
data
15%
Financial mathematics
15%
A
C04 Fundamentals of Business Economics
DG Relationships
between variables
15%
Spreadsheets
10%
A exam
The macroeconomic
context
of organisations
25%system and the competitive
D
This
covers the goals
and decisions
of organisations, the market
G
E Forecasting
15%
process,
the financial system and the macroeconomic context of business.
B The goals and decisions of organisations
25%
AF EB
F Financial mathematics
C The market system and the competitive process
A The macroeconomic context of organisations
G Spreadsheets
D The financial system
B The goals and decisions of organisations
15%
25%
25%
10%
25%
25%
C The market system and the competitive process
25%
AD The
Themacroeconomic
financial systemcontext of organisations
25%
25%
BA The
goals
decisions of organisations
Ethics
andand
business
25%
15%
CB The
market
system and the competitive process
Ethical
conflict
25%
10%
DC The
financial
system
Corporate
governance
A Ethics and business
25%
10%
15%
D
A
C
B
D
A
C
B
D B CC
D
This exam covers ethics and business, ethical conflict, corporate governance, comparison
of English
A
C05 Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law
Comparison
of English law with alternative legal systems
10%
lawD
alternative
and company
B with
Ethical
conflict legal systems, the law of contract, the law of employment,
10%
administration and finance.
B C
E The law of contract
C Corporate governance
20%
10%
The law
ofbusiness
employment
AFD Ethics
and
Comparison
of English law with alternative legal systems
10%
15%
10%
Company administration and finance
BG
E Ethical
The lawconflict
of contract
25%
10%
20%
CF Corporate
The law ofgovernance
employment
10%
10%
DG Comparison
of English lawand
withfinance
alternative legal systems
Company administration
10%
25%
E The law of contract
20%
F The law of employment
10%
G Company administration and finance
25%
G
A
A
E
F D
G
B CF
G
E
D
E
F
The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification
3
4
The CIMA Certificate
in Business
Accounting
qualification
The CIMA
Certificate
in Business
Accounting qualification
Understanding the syllabus
The syllabus for each exam contains:
• Lead and component learning outcomes which demonstrate what our students ‘can do’ once they
pass that subject.
• Indicative syllabus content.
A component learning outcome has two main purposes:
• To define the skill or ability (referred to as ‘learning objective’) that a well-prepared candidate should
be able to demonstrate in the examination.
• To demonstrate the approach likely to be taken by examiners in examination questions.
The learning outcomes are part of a hierarchy of learning objectives (Figure 1). ‘Knowledge’ is level 1
(the lowest level) and the highest level is ‘evaluation’, which is level 5.
In the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting syllabus only verbs from levels 1, 2 and 3 (knowledge,
comprehension and application) are used in the component learning outcomes and only verbs from
these three levels can be found in the assessments. See the syllabus for the full verb table.
Figure 1 – Learning objectives (skill or ability that a well-prepared candidate is expected to demonstrate)
Evaluation
Analysis
Application
Comprehension
Knowledge
Example from C01 Fundamentals of Management Accounting syllabus
Component learning outcome – Explain the importance of cost control and planning within
organisations.
The verb ‘explain’ is level 2 in the learning objective hierarchy. An assessment question based on
this component learning outcome could use one of the verbs from level 2 (comprehension) or
from the lower level 1 (knowledge) but a higher level verb will not be used to test this component
learning outcome.
Assessment strategy
All exams under the 2011 certificate syllabus are computer based and can be taken at one of our
accredited computer based assessment (CBA) centres worldwide. Find your nearest CBA centre by
visiting www.cimaglobal.com/cba
You may take the five subject assessments in any order and in any combination. You can study the
subjects sequentially or concurrently, in any combination to suit you. As these are computer based
assessments, you can sit the assessments at any time of the year at any CIMA approved assessment
centre. The pass mark is 50% and you will receive a permanent credit for any subject in which you
score 50% or more. Once you complete the five subject assessments, you will be awarded the CIMA
Certificate in Business Accounting qualification.
Relevant mathematical tables and formulae will be provided for use during assessment. They are also
available on the CIMA website www.cimaglobal.com/certificate
Study weightings
Within each subject, a percentage weighting is shown against each section topic. This can be used as
guidance on the:
• proportion of study time required by each topic
• approximate proportional distribution of marks across section topics.
It’s essential you study all topics in the syllabus, since any single assessment question may examine
more than one component learning outcome.
Study routes
It’s possible to complete the qualification in 12-18 months. The syllabus is very flexible and you can
decide on the number of assessments you take and the sequence in which you take them. You can
choose any combination of assessments to suit your own study requirements.
For example, you could choose to study and sit assessments for two subjects every six months, as
shown below.
Paper C02
Paper C05
Fundamentals
of Financial
Accounting
Fundamentals of
Ethics, Corporate
Governance and
Business Law
Second six month period
First six month period
Paper C01
Paper C03
Fundamentals
of Management
Accounting
Fundamentals
of Business
Mathematics
Paper C04
Third six month period
Fundamentals
of Business
Economics
The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification
55
The CIMA Professional
Qualification
The CIMA
Certificate in Business Accounting qualification
The CIMA Professional Qualification
The CIMA Professional Qualification is made up of three learning pillars: enterprise, performance
and financial. Each learning pillar is divided into three progressive levels: operational, management
and strategic (refer to the diagram below).
Professional examinations are three hours long, with a further 20 minutes reading time at the
beginning of the exam. The pass mark is 50%. Currently, all examinations are paper-based, with
the T4 part B Case Study Examination also available on PC.
Within each pillar, you are advised to study and pass the operational level exams before undertaking
the management level exams. You can choose how many exams you take at each sitting when
studying these two levels.
All operational and management level subject examinations must be successfully completed before
attempting strategic level exams.
All three strategic level subjects must be studied at the same time, as CIMA requires you to take
all three exams together at the first sitting of this level.
AWARD - Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Part A
of of
Professional
T4Test
- Test
Professional
Competence in Management Accounting
Initial Professional Development – work-based practical experience
Strategic level
Enterprise pillar
Part B
Case Study Examination based on pre-seen and unseen material
Performance pillar
Financial pillar
PAPER E3 - ENTERPRISE STRATEGY
PAPER P3 - PERFORMANCE STRATEGY
PAPER F3 - FINANCIAL STRATEGY
· Analyse corporate environment (internal/external)
· Evaluate strategic options
· Manage change
· Design and run performance management systems
· Evaluate and manage business risk
· Manage financial risk
· Review, audit and evaluate risk control systems
· Apply risk management to IT/IS environment
· Formulate and evaluate financial strategy
· Conduct business or corporate valuation
· Model and forecast cash flows and other finances
· Advise on mergers, acquisitions and divestments
Management level
AWARD - CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting
PAPER E2 - ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT
PAPER P2 - PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
PAPER F2 - FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
· Analyse competitive environment
· Plan, set up, manage and execute projects
· Lead the team
· Negotiate and communicate effectively
· Advise on product manufacture and pricing
· Plan and manage cost for competitive advantage
· Design and manage budgeting system
· Evaluate performance of organisational units
· Prepare group accounts
· Evaluate and apply IFRS
· Analyse and interpret financial statements
· Prepare CSR reports
AWARD - CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting
Operational level
66
PAPER E1 - ENTERPRISE OPERATIONS
PAPER P1 - PERFORMANCE OPERATIONS
PAPER F1 - FINANCIAL OPERATIONS
· Awareness of IT/IS issues and environment
· Awareness of key marketing issues
· Awareness of efficiency and quality issues
· Awareness of people management
· Calculate and analyse cost of products
· Forecast and budget for organisational activities
· Evaluate capital expenditure
· Manage short-term finance (e.g. cash)
· Prepare basic tax computations
· Prepare financial statements for single company
· Use IFRS and GAAP
· Manage general and other ledger systems
CIMA CERTIFICATE IN BUSINESS ACCOUNTING
Paper C01 - Fundamentals of Management Accounting | Paper C02 - Fundamentals of Financial Accounting | Paper C03 - Fundamentals of Business Mathematics
Paper C04 - Fundamentals of Business Economics | Paper C05 - Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law
The fourth and final level (T4) relates to professional competence. To become a CIMA member,
students must demonstrate three years of relevant work-based practical experience (T4 part A)
and pass the case study (T4 part B).
See our ‘Resources by exam’ section on page 11 where we direct you to specific resources
for each exam.
On completion of all three operational level exams, students are awarded the CIMA Diploma in
Management Accounting. The CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting is awarded
when students complete all six operational and management level exams. Certificates are posted
within six weeks of the exam results and we will also publish your details on the website providing
you have opted in to do so – check your communication preferences in
MY CIMA www.cimaglobal.com/mycima
Understanding the syllabus
The syllabus for each exam contains:
• Lead and component learning outcomes which demonstrate what our students ‘can do’ once they
pass that subject.
• Indicative syllabus content.
A component learning outcome has two main purposes:
• To define the skill or ability (referred to as ‘learning objective’) that a well-prepared candidate
should be able to demonstrate in the examination.
• To demonstrate the approach likely to be taken by examiners in examination questions.
The learning outcomes are part of a hierarchy of learning objectives (Figure 1). ‘Knowledge’ is level 1
(the lowest level) and the highest level is ‘evaluation’, which is level 5. The verbs used at the beginning
of each learning outcome relate to one of the specific learning objectives.
Figure 1 – Learning objectives (skill or ability that a well-prepared candidate is expected to demonstrate)
Evaluation
Analysis
Application
Comprehension
Knowledge
The CIMA Professional Qualification
7
8
8
The CIMA Professional
Qualification
The CIMA
Certificate in Business Accounting qualification
Example from E2 (Enterprise Management) syllabus
Component learning outcome – Discuss the value of post-completion audit.
The verb ‘discuss’ is level 4 (analysis) in the learning objective hierarchy. An assessment question
based on this component learning outcome could use one of the verbs from level 4 (analysis),
level 3 (application), level 2 (comprehension) or from the lowest level 1 (knowledge) but a higher
level verb (in this instance, level 5) will not be used to test this component learning outcome.
Study weightings
Within each subject, a percentage weighting is shown against each section topic.
This can be used as guidance on the:
• proportion of study time required by each topic
• approximate proportional distribution of marks across section topics.
It’s essential you study all the topics within the syllabus, since any single assessment question may
examine more than one topic.
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this and you will not need any other tool to prepare for CIMA exams.’
Jiten Parrikh, Senior Wealth Manager and Investment Specialist, First Gulf
Bank, United Arab Emirates
CIMAstudy.com – a flexible,
effective and affordable choice
CIMAstudy.com is the only official
e-learning support package written and
endorsed by CIMA. Choose the quality
training you need to help pass exams:
• Study where you want, when you want.
• Get personal help and support from
online experts.
• Perfect your exam technique with
interactive exam preparation, guidance
and support.
Join thousands of students from over
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PASS
Study methods
The CIMA qualification can be studied for in a variety of ways.
For those at certificate level, it’s recommended you organise your studies around component learning
outcomes and not on topics or indicative syllabus content. This is because CIMA examines learning
outcomes and not topics. In the assessment, the question requirement is simply a component
learning outcome with a very short scenario or some data, for you to demonstrate your knowledge/
comprehension or to apply your knowledge and understanding.
Blended learning
Blended learning offers the effectiveness of face-to-face tuition together with the flexibility of distance
learning. An example of this would be a distance learning course followed by a taught revision course.
If you would like to choose when and where you study but would also benefit from some tutor support,
then blended learning may be the option for you. To find CIMA Learning course providers that offer
distance learning courses, see CIMA’s course providers list at www.cimaglobal.com/courseproviders
Distance learning with CIMAstudy.com
If you would like to choose when and where you study, but would also benefit from some tutor support
then distance learning may be the option for you. To find CIMA Learning course providers that offer
distance learning courses, visit CIMA’s course provider list at www.cimaglobal.com/courseproviders
Options for distance learning include traditional textbook based, virtual classroom, e-learning or a
combination of all three.
The official CIMA online resource is CIMAstudy.com. It is ideal for students in areas where there is
little or no tuition provision, or for those who prefer to self-study at their own pace. Courses are
now available for certificate, operational, management and strategic level subjects.
Visit www.CIMAstudy.com for more information and to view demonstration modules.
Home/self-study with official CIMA textbooks
This is the most cost-effective method with which to study the CIMA qualification, the only study costs
being your books and exam fees. Home study does require high levels of discipline and self-motivation.
The official CIMA textbooks can be purchased from www.cimapublishing.com
Taught course
You can follow a taught course with one of the many course providers globally which teach CIMA.
The CIMA Learning course provider list at www.cimaglobal.com/courseproviders will show you a
list of course providers in your area which provide tuition for the CIMA qualification in varying degrees,
whether it is tutor support when studying at home or full taught classes which are either full/part-time,
evening/weekend or block basis. Please note, not all providers listed will offer every option.
For information on fees, please contact the course provider you wish to study with.
Quality Partner course providers have been assessed by CIMA under the CIMA Learning scheme,
and have provided evidence they can meet all of our performance requirements. Where possible, we
recommend that all students attend tuition in a Quality Partner course provider.
Course providers which are unable to meet the criteria for Quality Partner but have committed to our
delivery guidelines will be listed on our course provider list. At this level we have not formally assessed
the quality of tuition provided by these course providers, so we strongly advise you to carry out your
own research before attending a course.
CIMA Learning is the scheme in place to assess and accredit course providers, and it does not currently
extend to ‘online only’ course providers.
Study Methods
9
10
10
Study support from
TheCIMA
CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification
Study support from CIMA
A wide range of resources are available to download free from www.cimaglobal.com/examhelp
Syllabus
Spend some time analysing the syllabus for each subject you are studying. Each syllabus is divided into
a number of broad topics. The learning outcomes in the syllabus identify what you are expected to be
able to do in the exam. The verbs used in the beginning of component learning outcomes demonstrate
the level at which the examiner can ask a question based on a particular learning outcome.
To help you with your studies, you can download a full copy of the syllabus at
www.cimaglobal.com/examhelp
Financial Management
You will regularly receive CIMA’s Financial Management magazine. This contains an informative mix of
features, news and practical advice. Look out for the technical articles and exam notices in the study
notes section.
Velocity
Velocity is our global e-magazine for all CIMA students, which is sent out every two months. It contains
news, technical articles, case studies, study and career advice and exam notices.
CIMAsphere
CIMAsphere is our online community. It features a range of forums, groups, blogs, videos and live
events, providing a platform for you to ask questions, share information, give advice and find expertise
and support among peers. You can obtain advice from study support and learning specialists.
You can also contact each other through the CIMAsphere web messaging service, organise events and
find study buddies: http://community.cimaglobal.com
Ethics and professionalism
At CIMA we help you to develop both your technical ability and your professional capacity. Your success
is important to us. Once you become a member, the designatory letters (ACMA, CGMA/FCMA, CGMA)
and chartered status denote your professionalism, practical experience, credibility and integrity, along
with your commitment to ethics and CIMA professional development. Ethics is a key component of being
a chartered professional, enhancing both reputation, employability and ongoing earning potential.
In our annual survey, ethics and professional standards are deemed to be ‘the most important aspect
of CIMA membership’. That is why ethical practice and understanding sits at the heart of the CIMA
qualification and all members and students are committed to upholding the CIMA Code of Ethics. The
Code is globally recognised and offers a framework and set of principles for all to follow. CIMA’s Code
and supporting resource material for ethics helps provide useful guidance around ethical practice and
resolving ethical dilemmas.
Ultimately, ethics makes good business sense. See why ethics is important to your career and long-term
business success www.cimaglobal.com/professional-ethics
Resources by exam
Certificate level
We’ve produced a collection of resources for each exam, which can be accessed on the website
www.cimaglobal.com/certificate
These include exam questions, study guides, useful articles, reading lists and mathematical tables.
• Fundamentals of Management Accounting (C01)
www.cimaglobal.com/C01
• Fundamentals of Financial Accounting (C02)
www.cimaglobal.com/C02
• Fundamentals of Business Mathematics (C03)
www.cimaglobal.com/C03
• Fundamentals of Business Economics (C04)
www.cimaglobal.com/C04
• Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law (C05)
www.cimaglobal.com/C05
Professional level
We have produced ‘guidance notes’ for all the professional qualification exams below.
These contain links to all study resources available from CIMA.
Operational level:
E1 enterprise operations (www.cimaglobal.com/guidancenotesE1)
F1 financial operations (www.cimaglobal.com/guidancenotesF1)
P1 performance operations (www.cimaglobal.com/guidancenotesP1)
Management level:
E2 enterprise management (www.cimaglobal.com/guidancenotesE2)
F2 financial management (www.cimaglobal.com/guidancenotesF2)
P2 performance management (www.cimaglobal.com/guidancenotesP2)
Strategic level:
E3 enterprise strategy (www.cimaglobal.com/guidancenotesE3)
F3 financial strategy (www.cimaglobal.com/guidancenotesF3)
P3 performance strategy (www.cimaglobal.com/guidancenotesP3)
T4 level:
T4 parts A and B (www.cimaglobal.com/guidancenotesT4)
Resources by exam
11
12
12
Planning your studies
The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification
Planning your studies
Follow these tips and be prepared for the assessments.
• Do some research before choosing how you are going to study – make sure the option you choose will
suit you and the way you learn best.
• Read the syllabus for the paper you are studying, then create a study plan and a separate revision
plan. Stick to your plans.
• Be realistic when creating your study and revision plans – set achievable targets but make sure you
will have time to cover everything.
• Keep a record of your progress against your plan.
• Be protective of your study time. Find yourself somewhere peaceful to study with no interruptions – if
this isn’t possible at home, study at work or in the library.
• Put variety into your study sessions – spend some time reading your textbook, do a practice question,
or read a related article from the CIMA magazine.
• Build review sessions into your study time to be sure you fully understand what you are learning.
• Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses – avoid concentrating your studies on the areas you
are good at. Spend time tackling the areas that cause you problems.
• Do plenty of exam question practice. For certificate level, visit CIMAstudy.com for sample computer
based assessments for you to assess your progress. For professional level, do some full mock
examinations. This preparation is essential for success in the CIMA examinations.
• Make use of all the study support available from CIMA.
• Studying can be very stressful, particularly around exam time. See our dedicated section for advice
from CIMA students, staff and markers on how to keep anxiety at bay.
Visit www.cimaglobal.com/studystress
Your first CIMA exam
Certificate level
Find your nearest accredited assessment centre
If you are not studying with a course provider, or if your course provider does not offer the certificate
syllabus, search the list of accredited centres for your nearest centre at www.cimaglobal.com/cba
Register for the exam with the assessment centre
You can sit assessments at any time of the year. Each centre decides when they offer assessments.
Speak directly to them to arrange a date and time.
Pay the assessment fee to the centre
You pay the assessment fee to the centre, not to CIMA. Please visit www.cimaglobal.com/fees for
details. Please note centres may charge additional administration fees.
Try the sample questions
Objective test questions are used in the qualification. Try the sample questions at
www.cimaglobal.com/certificate
Model question papers for each subject can be found in the ‘Exam preparation’ section on our website.
Receive results and feedback when you finish
You’ll see your results and feedback onscreen as soon as your assessment has finished. It will take
between five and seven days for your results to show in your MY CIMA account.
If you are successful, you will receive a certificate of achievement and your exam status will
automatically be updated at CIMA.
If you are unsuccessful, the feedback will show where you should focus your studies in the syllabus. You
can arrange your re-sit when you are ready.
Calculators
As part of the certificate level computer based assessment software, candidates are provided with a
calculator. This calculator is onscreen and is available for the duration of the assessment. You will have
the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the calculator and practise using it before your assessment
begins. Please note that you can not take your own calculator into the assessment.
Your first CIMA exam
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Your first CIMA exam
The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification
Professional level
What to expect
CIMA examinations take place in a wide variety of venues and are held twice a year, in May and
November. Examinations last for three hours, with an additional 20 minutes of reading time.
Candidates may use electronic calculators in line with the conditions in the exam rules
www.cimaglobal.com/examrules
How to enter
Exam entry typically runs from early February to mid March for May exams and early August to mid
September for November exams.
• Enter online using your MY CIMA account.
• Make sure you read and understand the exam rules and regulations before you book.
• Visit www.cimaglobal.com/Students/Exam-Information/How-to-enter for further information
and dates.
• For information on exam fees, visit www.cimaglobal.com/fees
Exam centres
You can search for your nearest exam centre by town, country, or centre number. Please note you must
sit all your exam papers at the same centre for a particular sitting.
Admissions advice
We will email you when your admissions advice is available, usually four to five weeks before the
exam. You will need to print it off, ensuring you have details for all exams you are sitting. Bring
this information with you to present to the invigilators at your exam centre. Log in to your
MY CIMA account and select ‘My admission advice’ under ‘My examinations’ then print using the
‘Print this page’ link.
Attendance slip receipts
You will receive an attendance slip for each exam you sit. The slips are confirmation of your exam
attendance and should be kept for at least four months after the examinations as proof of your sitting.
Results
Results for all paper based exams are sent out by second class post or airmail seven weeks after the final
exam. To receive your results by email on the same day, log in to your MY CIMA account at least one
week before results day, and select ‘My personal details’ and then ‘My communication preferences’.
Be part of CIMA’s interactive network
CIMA represents a community of students with a common interest – to enhance their employability by
studying CIMA.
As a CIMA student, you can now be part of a local community with the ability to exchange views and
experiences with other students. More importantly, you can speak to other students about exams or
discuss the exams afterwards. Some of the best study advice comes from real CIMA students, so it’s
worth visiting and participating.
CIMA’s online community
http://www.cimasphere.com
CIMA Student Support blogs
http://community.cimaglobal.com/blogs
CIMA Facebook
www.facebook.com/CIMAglobal
CIMA Twitter
www.twitter.com/CIMA_News
CIMA LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com/company/cima
CIMA’s interactive network
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Local support
The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification
Local support
Local support puts you in touch with news and events that can help you through the exams and
applying for membership.
CIMA corporate centre
26 Chapter Street,
London SW1P 4NP
T: +44 (0)20 8849 2251
E: cima.contact@cimaglobal.com
www.cimaglobal.com
CIMA Ghana
3rd Floor, Ayele Building,
IPS/Attraco Road,
Madina, Accra
T: +233 (0)30 2543283
E: accra@cimaglobal.com
CIMA Australia
5 Hunter Street, Sydney,
NSW 2000
T: +61 (0)2 9376 9902
E: sydney@cimaglobal.com
CIMA Hong Kong
Suite 2005, 20th Floor,
Tower One, Times Square,
1 Matheson Street,
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
T: +852 (0)2511 2003
E: hongkong@cimaglobal.com
CIMA Bangladesh
Suite 309, RM Center,
(3rd Floor), 101 Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka-1212
T: +8802 881 5724
E: zareef.matin@cimaglobal.com
CIMA Botswana
Plot 50374 , Block 3, 1st Floor, Southern Wing,
Fairgrounds Financial Centre, Gaborone
T: +267 395 2362
E: gaborone@cimaglobal.com
CIMA China: head office
Unit 1508A, 15th Floor, Azia Center,
1233 Lujiazui Ring Road, Pudong,
Shanghai 200120
T: +86 (0)21 6160 1558
E: infochina@cimaglobal.com
CIMA China: Beijing
Room 605, 6/F Guangming Hotel,
42 Liangmaqiao Road,
Chaoyang District, Beijing 100004
T: +86 (0)10 8441 8811
E: beijing@cimaglobal.com
CIMA China: Shenzhen
Room 1121, Tower A,
International Chamber of Commerce,
Fuhua Yi Lu, Futian District, Shenzhen 518048
T: +86 (0)755 8923 1445
E: shenzhen@cimaglobal.com
CIMA India
Unit 1-A-1, 3rd Floor, Vibgyor Towers,
C-62, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex,
Bandra (East), Mumbai 400051
T: +91 (0) 22 4237 0100
E: india@cimaglobal.com
CIMA Ireland
5th Floor, Block E, Iveagh Court,
Harcourt Road, Dublin 2
T: +353 (0)1 643 0400
E: cima.ireland@cimaglobal.com
CIMA Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur (head office)
Lot 1.05, Level 1
KPMG Tower
8 First Avenue, Bandar Utama
47800 Petaling Jaya
Selangor Darul Ehsan
T: +60 (0)3 77 230 230
E: seasia@cimaglobal.com
CIMA Malaysia: Penang
Suite 12-04A, 12th Floor,
Menara Boustead Penang,
39 Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah,
10050 Penang
T: +60 (0)4 226 7488/8488
E: penang@cimaglobal.com
CIMA Middle East
PO Box 506527
Liberty House, Room 804
Dubai International Finance Centre
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
T: +971 (0)4 368 9432
E: middleeast@cimaglobal.com
CIMA Nigeria
Landmark Virtual Office,
5thFloor, Mulliner Towers,
39 Alfred Rewane Road,
Ikoyi, Lagos
T: +234 1 463 8353 (ext 518)
E: lagos@cimaglobal.com
CIMA Pakistan
201, 2nd Floor, Business Arcade,
Plot 27-A, Block 6, PECHS,
Shahra-e-faisal, Karachi
T: +92 21 3432 2387/89
E: pakistan@cimaglobal.com
CIMA Pakistan: Islamabad
1st Floor, Rehman Chambers,
Fazal-e-Haq Road, Blue Area, Islamabad
T: + 92 51 260 5701-6
CIMA Pakistan: Lahore
Flat 1, 2, 1st Floor,
Front Block 3, Awami Complex at 1-4,
Usman Block,
New Garden Town, Lahore
T: +92 42 3594 0311-16
CIMA Singapore
30 Cecil Street
Prudential Tower, Level 26
Singapore 049712
T: +65 (0)6824 8252
E: singapore@cimaglobal.com
CIMA South Africa
1st Floor,
198 Oxford Road,
Illovo 2196
T: +27 11 788 8723
E: johannesburg@cimaglobal.com
CIMA Sri Lanka
356 Elvitigala, Mawatha,
Colombo 5
T: +94 (0)11 250 3880
E: colombo@cimaglobal.com
CIMA Sri Lanka: Kandy
229 Peradeniya Road, Kandy
T: +94 (0)81 222 7883
E: kandy@cimaglobal.com
CIMA UK
26 Chapter Street,
London SW1P 4NP
T: +44 (0)20 8849 2251
E: cima.contact@cimaglobal.com
CIMA Zambia
6053 Sibweni Road,
Northmead, Lusaka
T: +260 (211) 29021
E: lusaka@cimaglobal.com
CIMA Poland
Warsaw Financial Centre,
11th Floor, ul Emilii Plater 53,
00-113Warsaw
T: +48 22 528 6651
E: poland@cimaglobal.com
CIMA Russia
Office 4009, 4th Floor,
Moscow 105064
T: +7495 967 9328
E: russia@cimaglobal.com
Local support
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CGMA – the global
Thedesignation
CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification
CGMA – the global designation
Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) is the global designation for management
accountants. It’s powered by AICPA (the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants)
and CIMA, two of the world’s leading accounting organisations.
On completion of the CIMA qualification and becoming a CIMA member, you are automatically entitled
to the CGMA designation. It will add global power to your CV, showcase your value
around the world and demonstrate your business acumen, ethics and commitment.
As a CGMA you will benefit from:
• Being part of an online community – a global community of like-minded peers where
you can connect with the best minds in management accounting.
• Access to the tools, webinars, reports and research to challenge your thinking and keep
you at the forefront of your profession.
To find out more visit www.cgma.org
Success Stories
Career Progression: Kiruthiga Raguraman ACMA, CGMA
Kiruthiga is Head of Finance, IT at Hitach Capital UK Plc,
who wanted to move from operations to strategic
finance. She chose CIMA and is now a member.
Why did you choose CIMA as your financial
qualification, and how did you hear about it?
I was already a Cost and Works Accountant from India
when I was deputed to Australia. While there, I started
attending some network events for accountants and
realised how beneficial it is to complete an internationally
recognised qualification.
There were many choices available to me but my interests were always in commercial finance and
I wanted to study a qualification that would equip me to move from the tactical finance world I was
in to strategic finance. CIMA was the obvious choice as it was a qualification that would help me
leverage my accounting knowledge and prepare me for a successful career in the corporate world.
How did getting your CIMA qualification make you feel?
The first and foremost feeling on getting the qualification was a sense of achievement. However,
what was more important to me was the way pursuing CIMA transformed me as a professional:
instead of being a number-crunching accountant, CIMA expanded my outlook and taught me the
importance of being able to understand the bigger business picture. This combined finance and
business knowledge brought me a great sense of confidence, which prepared me for stepping into
leadership roles.
What are the principal ways you have helped add value to your present company?
I would pick out three main achievements:
• Streamlining the monthly reporting pack and transforming the review process from a postmortem of operations to a forward-looking value adding exercise.
• Driving specific cost-saving initiatives, which resulted in margin improvements despite price
reduction and stiff competition.
• Streamlining and establishing an accounts-receivable process that helped in reducing the ‘day’s
sales outstanding’ by 25%.
What are the most rewarding aspects of your job?
Many times, non-finance team members with whom I interact have said, ‘for a change, you
understand the operational perspective despite being a finance person.’ That, to me, is the most
rewarding aspect of my job – to be able to understand the views of non-finance teams and use that
understanding to support decision-making rather than just churn out reports, charts and tables out
of numbers.
How has CIMA membership helped you professionally?
It has given me access to a larger community of CIMA members who are quite willing to help each
other, as well as to resources like Harvard articles which would otherwise cost me a fortune. Most
importantly, it has earned me respect from my peers and other colleagues.
Success stories
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Success
stories
The CIMA
Certificate
in Business
Accounting
qualification
The CIMA
Certificate
in Business
Accounting qualification
Business Focus: Prince Kofi Amoabeng FCMA, CGMA
Prince Kofi is the chief executive officer of Ghana’s
UT bank. He wanted to understand the financial
implications of business decisions. He chose CIMA
and is now a CIMA member.
His background
Prince Kofi Amoabeng is quite frank that after completing
his degree in business administration, he chose to study
CIMA simply because it was the only accountancy
qualification then available in Accra, Ghana.
‘But though I chose CIMA by default, I grew to love it,’ he says. ‘Unlike the post mortem type of
work that you have with other accounting bodies, with CIMA you actually make things happen
before the results are captured after the action. I didn’t want to be a number crunching accountant
at the end of the year. I wanted to be in a management position, where the figures are the means
of informing me what to do.’
Prince Kofi explains that CIMA training has stood him in good stead throughout his professional
life. The crowning achievement of this was being chosen as ‘best entrepreneur of the year 2010’ at
the inaugural Ghana entrepreneur awards and in the very same year being named as Ghana’s most
respected CEO for 2010.
He also led one of Africa’s first reverse takeovers when UT Financial Services, founded in 1997,
acquired in 2008 the medium sized BPI Bank. In 2010 he merged the two operations to create the
larger, fully fledged UT Bank.
Creating CEOs
Prince Kofi is firm in the belief that the CFO position is generally a sound qualification for the CEO
slot, where the final decisions are made. ‘Running a business means that you should be on top of the
computations that have gone into the options on which you have to decide,’ he notes.
‘This is where CIMA comes into its own, because it enables you to understand the options and the
choices that you have to make. So I think CIMA should be bringing out a lot more CEOs than other
accountancy qualifications.’
He refutes the view that CFOs will lack experience in other business areas such as marketing,
product development, IT and HR.
‘I do not believe that accountants are challenged as CEOs because they are supposed to have less
experience of such business areas. At my level I engage professionals who should know their field
and can present me with the choices.
‘I don’t have to know marketing. I don’t have to know HR. Of course because I studied business
administration, I have a fair idea of what it is about and I can understand what my professionals are
telling me. However in making a decision, I think the bottom line is always the financial implications
of whatever it is that you are going to do.’
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MY JOBS
www.cimaglobal.com/myjobs
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Questions and answers
The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification
Questions and answers
Q: What is a contact ID?
A: Your contact ID is your unique CIMA reference number. We give you a contact ID when you register
as a CIMA student or create a web account and you can use it in conjunction with a password to access
your MY CIMA area and our discussion forums. You will find your contact ID on all correspondence we
send you.
Q: How long will it take me to complete the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting
qualification?
A: There is no time limit to complete this qualification. On average, it takes a student who is working
full-time and studying part-time from one to two years to qualify.
Q: I’ve just completed the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification. When can I sit
my professional level examinations?
A: If you want to sit the professional level examinations, you must have been awarded exemptions
from, or have passed, the certificate level papers by 12 March for May professional examinations or
12 September for November examinations. It can take up to 20 working days to award exemptions
during January/February and July/August peak periods.
Q: How long will it take me to complete the Professional Qualification?
A: There is no time limit to complete the CIMA Professional Qualification. On average, it takes a student
who is working full-time and studying part-time between three and five years to qualify.
Q: How many times can I sit an assessment/exam?
A: There is no limit to the number of attempts you may have at each exam.
Q: Is there a time limit on completing my assessments/examinations?
A: No. You can take as long as you want to complete the qualification. However, please note the
syllabus is updated on a regular basis (every five years) so you may need to refresh your knowledge
when resuming your studies.
Q: Am I entitled to any exam exemptions for previous study?
A: To find out if you are eligible for any exemptions from the CIMA examinations, please visit
www.cimaglobal.com/exemptions
Q: I hope to receive exemptions; when do I need to pay?
A: If we award you any exemptions you will receive an email confirming this. You can view your
exemptions online using your MY CIMA account under ‘My exam history’. You need to pay for your
exemptions within eight weeks of them being awarded, either online by credit/debit card or by sending
us a cheque or bankers draft.
Q: Do I get a certificate for my exemptions?
A: We do not issue exemption certificates. An email will be sent confirming the exemptions you have
been awarded and you can view your exemptions online using your MY CIMA account.
If you choose to waive an exemption and then sit the exam and fail, you cannot reclaim the exemption
for this exam.
The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification
Q: I have an MBA or I’m a member of another accountancy body. What exemptions do I get?
A: An accelerated route may be available to MBA holders and members/those who completed the
exams of other professional accountancy bodies. Upon completion of a gateway examination, you will
receive the CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting and be awarded 11 exemptions from
the CIMA examinations (out of a total of 15), allowing you to start studying at strategic level.
Q: How do I apply for a visa?
A: We are not involved in visa applications. You need to contact the UK Border Agency for further
information regarding visas.
Q: How do I get a job within management accounting? How easy is it to get a job?
A: You can visit CIMA My Jobs to find out about job offers in your area and sector. This service also
allows you to search for a graduate scheme. The careers advice section contains a wealth of information
for students and members looking to find a job as a management accountant. You can also use our
employer database to find out if your employer or prospective employer is registered with CIMA
Training.
Q: How do I get practical experience if I am not working within management accounting?
A: You do not necessarily need to be working within management accounting to gain relevant work
experience. CIMA students and members have a wide range of jobs available to them, not all of which
are within finance or accountancy. Download the practical experience requirements brochure from
www.cimaglobal.com/per which will help you to determine whether your current job position allows
you to gain the required basic, core and supplementary skills.
Q: Where can I get the Q&As for past professional level examinations?
A: You can access examiners’ questions and suggested answers at www.cimaglobal.com/examhelp
Q: Can I call myself CIMA part-qualified?
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. Membership (ACMA,
CGMA) is awarded when the full qualification, including the final test of professional competence, parts
A and B have been successfully completed. CIMA does not use the term ‘part-qualified’.
However, your progress through the examinations is rewarded at various stages, with the award of the
CIMA Certificate of Business Accounting after successful completion of the five certificate level exams,
the CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting on completion of all three operational level exams and
the CIMA Advanced Diploma on completion of all six operational and management level exams.
These intermediate awards are a useful way of describing your progress and current skills and
knowledge to employers.
Questions and answers
23
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Questions and answers
The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification
Q: How much can I expect to earn once I’m CIMA qualified?
A:
EARNING POTENTIAL
CIMA students have higher earning potential as they progress through their qualification.
said the qualification gave them greater opportunities
that the CIMA qualification
that the CIMA qualification
93% agreed
83% agreed
creates career opportunities.
strengthens ability to move internationally 76% to move across all areas of the business.
AverAge sAlAry by Country for CIMA students And MeMbers
Northern Ireland1 Republic of Ireland1
students: £25,850 students: €44,221
Members: £43,278 Members: €89,132
Canada1
students: n/A
Members: CAn$132,697
USA1
students: n/A
Members: us$193,465
UK1
students: £36,146
Members: £66,710
Russia2
Poland2
students: Pln10,968 students: rur171,764
Members: n/A
Members: n/A
China1
students: rMb313,953*
Members: rMb868,825*
Hong Kong2
students: HK$42,392*
Members: HK$97,452
Ghana2
students: gHs2,955*
Members: n/A
Singapore2
students: sgd6,076
Members: sgd16,792
Nigeria
students: ngn6,225,556*
Members: n/A
Zambia2
students: ZK7,207,481
Members: ZK19,546,326*
Zimbabwe1
students: us$20,851
Members: n/A
1
Botswana1
South Africa1
students: P212,333
students: r414,996
Members: P557,000* Members: r906,943
Malaysia1
students: rM65,675
Members: rM199,240
Australia1
students: Aus$100,946
Members:Aus$145,971
UAE2
students: Aed17,817
Members: Aed51,336
Sri Lanka2
India1
Pakistan2
students: PKr63,067 students: rs.10.86 lakhs students: rs.64,814
Members:rs.30.02 lakhs Members: rs.240,123
Members: n/A
New Zealand1
students: n/A
Members: nZ$138,683
Source: 2013 CIMA Salary Survey 1 total annual salary 2 total monthly salary * Caution: low base, under 30
Q: How do I contact CIMA?
A: Our call centre, CIMA Contact, is open from 8am to 8pm GMT Monday to Friday and the first
Saturday of every month from 9am to 5pm GMT.
T. +44 (0)20 8849 2251
E. cima.contact@cimaglobal.com
Our postal address is: CIMA, 26 Chapter Street, London SW1P 4NP, United Kingdom
Alternatively, you may also contact your local CIMA office. Please refer to page 16
for local support information.
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