Member in practice application

All members wishing to work as a CIMA member in practice must apply for a CIMA practising certificate. You can do this online through your MY CIMA account.

Please read this information carefully before starting your application and ensure you have all the relevant documents completed. You will be unable to complete your application without them.

Requirements

All the requirements outlined below are mandatory to your application. You must complete the application screens in sequence and will not be able to move to the next until you have completed all the required fields on your current screen.

Online application Information required from applicant
Screen 1:
Practising under another body		 Notify CIMA if you already hold a practising certificate with another body, and you intend to practice under them, not CIMA. If so you will not be required to complete any further screens of the application.
Screen 2:
Contact details 		Supply contact and practice details (practice name and full address is required).
Screen 3:
Work history screen 		Upload your CV using CIMA’s prescribed format (more info below).

Outline your skills gaps and how you intend to fill them. Also briefly outline your plans for your practice - what is your practice venture setting out to do? Please also indicate if you intend to work as a sole practitioner, partnership or limited company  

Supply two valid referees.
Screen 4:
Practice requirements screen		 Select functional specialisms you intend to work in.

Upload a current copy of your professional indemnity insurance.

Have a continuity agreement in place. You are required to submit details of your continuity partner with your application.
Screen 5:
Practice documentation screen		 Upload completed anti-money laundering questionnaire. Confirm compliance with CIMA’s mandatory requirements.
Screen 6:
Declarations screen 		Confirm compliance with CIMA’s member in practice regulations.

Agree to terms and conditions for use of CIMA’s member in practice logo.
Screen 7:
Payment screen 		Pay current member in practice annual fee.

Ethical conduct

You will be required to confirm that you are compliant with CIMA's code of ethics and that you understand its fundamental principles, safeguards and threats.   

CIMA’s prescribed CV format / functional specialisms

When submitting your CV you must use CIMA's prescribed CV format (PDF 37KB). CVs that are not in this format will not be accepted. Also see CIMA's example CV (PDF 65KB).

CIMA's CV guidance contains information regarding functional specialisms.

Skills gaps

There is a free text box to outline any skills gaps your CV may show with regards to working in practice. You can use it to highlight how you are filling those gaps, such as courses or training you are attending.

Please note it is not mandatory to complete this section. However, using this section to highlight how you intend to focus your CPD around developing your practice may help your application.

Referees

You must supply the details of two referees. The first must be able to verify your technical skills and must be a professionally qualified accountant. The second is a personal referee.

The following information is required for both referees:

  • Full name
  • Address
  • Telephone number
  • Job title
  • Current employer
  • How many years they have known you

CIMA member in practice logo

Once you attain member in practice status you will be permitted to use CIMA’s member in practice logo on your business stationery. You can access the logo through your MY CIMA account upon approval of your application.

Practising certificates

These are valid for five years, after which you must reapply. Practising certificates remain the property of CIMA. Should you cease to work as a CIMA member in practice you must return your certificate to CIMA’s professional standards department.