The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

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Our history

CIMA began life in 1919 as the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants. Since then CIMA has grown to become one of the largest international accountancy bodies, representing 164,000 students and members in 161 countries.

  • 1919 The Institute of Cost and Works Accountants was founded, its objective being to provide the range of information needed to plan and manage modern business.
  • 1955 The first CIMA South Africa Division President was elected.
  • 1965 21 members in Sri Lanka got together to form the Ceylon Association.
  • 1973 The Sri Lanka Ceylon Association was elevated to Branch status.  
  • 1976 The Institute was granted the Royal Charter.*
  • 1976 The Singapore Branch was registered with the Registrar of Society.
  • 1977 CIMA Malaysia was set up under the leadership of Raja Dato' Seri Abdul Aziz Raja Salim FCMA.
  • 1985 CIMA Malaysia was given Branch status.
  • 1986 The Institute changed its name to the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, recognising the importance and commercial relevance of management accountancy.
  • 1987 The Republic of Ireland Division was established.
  • 1988 The CIMA Sri Lanka Branch was made a Division.
  • 1989 The Hong Kong Branch was upgraded to Division status.
  • 1989 The CIMA Malaysia Branch was upgraded to a Division.
  • 1994 The CIMA Australia office opened.
  • 1995 CIMA members were given the right to use the title 'Chartered Management Accountant'.
  • 2003 CIMA qualifies its 60,000th member.
  • 2004 The 14 Southern African Development Community counties were incorporated into the new CIMA Southern Africa Region.
  • 2007 CIMA qualifies its 70,000th member

*The Royal Charter recognises CIMA as being among the top professional bodies in the UK, and allows us to qualify people as members. As a chartered body, we are responsible for observing UK government standards.