CIMA

The structure of the CIMA Qualification

From the May 2005 sitting, CIMA has restructured its qualification.

It is now necessary to complete the Certificate level (or equivalent) in order to gain entry to the Professional qualification.

Certificate level

This is now the entry requirement and replaces the old Foundation level. It consists of 5 papers which are assessed through computer based exams. These are:

• C01 Fundamentals of Management Accounting
• C02 Fundamentals of Financial Accounting
• C03 Fundamentals of Business Mathematics
• C04 Fundamentals of Business Economics
• C05 Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and   Business Law

Successful completion of this level will gain the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting, and allow entry onto the Managerial Level.

Qualified AAT students are exempt from the Certificate Level, and qualified CAT students are exempt from C01 and C02. Other exemptions may be available for other qualifications, but these would need to be agreed directly with CIMA.

The Professional Qualification

The professional qualification is grouped into three main subjects or pillars, Business Management, Management Accounting and Financial Management, across two levels, Managerial and Strategic:

Managerial level

There are 6 papers in this level. Students can sit as many papers as they want in one sitting, and in any order. However, they must have passed all 6 papers before progressing to the Strategic level.

• P1 Performance Evaluation
• P2 Decision Management
• P4 Organisational Management and Information Systems
• P5 Integrated Management
• P7 Financial Accounting and Tax Principles
• P8 Financial Analysis

Completing this level gives students an Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting.

Strategic level

This comprises three 3-hour papers, which must all be taken together for the first attempt. Re-sits may be taken in any combination and in any order.

• P3 Management Risk and Control Strategy
• P6 Management Accounting Business Strategy
• P9 Management Accounting Strategy

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This is the final assessment which can only be taken once the Strategic level has been successfully completed.

Entry Qualifications

CIMA take a flexible approach to entry qualifications, however, students must be at least 18 years old. Full details can be obtained directly from www.cimaglobal.com.

Examination Dates

All examinations for the Certificate stage (papers C01 to C05) are organised by Computer Based Examinations with flexible timetabling.

Examinations for Managerial and Strategic Levels take place in May and November each year. Buy Now.