QUALIFICATIONS
IN DETAIL

Benefits

At the Cert BA level, CIMA people can:

• Identify and control costs
• Prepare budget statements, financial statements and integrated accounts
• Apply forecasting techniques and use spreadsheets to calculate data
• Use break-even analysis in making short-term decisions
• Understand how competitors, economic policy and the behaviour of financial markets can influence your business.

Job roles

This qualification produces highly skilled finance business leaders, equipped to drive innovation, sustainability and profitability in your organisation. It teaches junior finance professionals the knowledge and skills needed to undertake core accounting functions, such as preparing financial reports, forecasting performance and data analysis to support cash flow and balancing the books. It also provides a solid understanding of economics, management accounting and business principles including ethics.

People types

The CIMA Cert BA is suitable for anybody needing basic business accountancy skills, including those who work closely with finance such as your marketing, IT and operations teams. The qualification is especially useful for employees in small businesses, but is excellent preparation for working in larger organisations. Studying the Cert BA is a mandatory element of some graduate schemes.

Key resources

To find out more about how the CIMA Cert BA can help your business, take a look at our key employer resources.

• CIMA Cert BA video: This short animation gives you some insight into the updated Cert BA (2017)
• CIMA Cert BA syllabus brochure
• CGMA Competency Framework: an outline of the skills and competencies management accountants need in order to add value to businesses. The framework demonstrates the relevance and value of a CGMA as a trusted finance and business strategist.

Benefits

At Operational level, CIMA people can:

• Implement strategy
• Report on implementation of strategy
• Prepare financial statements
• Provide management accounting information
• Use appropriate tools for short-term decision making
• Deal with risk and uncertainty
• Understand the fundamentals of financial reporting and taxation, including management of working capital, cash and sources of short-term finance.

They will be able to understand:

• The role of finance within the wider organisation
• Who the stakeholders are
• The regulatory environment
• How to communicate with non-financial staff.

Job roles

Operational level is heavily focused on core accounting and finance skills (including taxation), but it also begins to cover the development of business acumen and people skills through the study of organisations.

It considers implementation of short-term decision making, mirroring the work undertaken by first line managers.

At Operational level, their role will be that of a Finance Officer. Equivalent job titles might be:

• Junior/Trainee accountant
• Credit Controller
• Assistant accountant
• Cost accountant

People types

A typical Operational level CIMA student will be performing well in a general junior finance role, with a focus on short-term tasks and results like processing transactions and producing reports. Their role will likely involve purchase to pay, order to cash and record to report processes.

Key resources

To find out more about how CIMA students at Operational level can help your business, take a look at our key employer resources.

• CIMA Professional Qualification syllabus brochure
• The Global Management Accounting Principles: a practical framework to improve decision making and drive value. By using the Principles your organisation will have better insight, more relevance, improved analysis and increased levels of trust
• CGMA Competency Framework: an outline of the skills and competencies management accountants need in order to add value to the businesses for. The framework demonstrates the relevance and value of a CGMA as a trusted finance and business strategist
• The value CGMAs bring to business: CGMAs have the essential strategic business and management skills to ensure sustainable business success
• Association Career Hub: Advertise vacancies, graduate schemes or apprenticeships through our online job board.

Benefits

At Management/Gateway level, CIMA people can:

• Monitor implementation of strategy
• Ensure corrective action is taking where necessary
• Prepare group accounts
• Make pricing and product decisions
• Manage projects and relationships
• Use appropriate tools for long-term decision making
• Understand advanced elements of financial reporting like sources of long-term finance and analysis of financial performance and position.

Job roles

This second level studies project and relationship management, advanced management accounting and advanced financial reporting. There is also a strong focus on developing commercial, people and leadership skills.

This level considers analysis in the context of the medium-term, reflecting work undertaken by middle managers.

At Management/Gateway level, their role will be that of a Finance Manager. Equivalent job titles might be:

• Management Accountant
• Financial Controller
• Financial Analyst
• Head of Finance

People types

At this level, a typical student is working in a managerial or supervisory role and can supervise others and resolve most issues. Specialist knowledge has been acquired through on-the-job training and continuing professional development.

Key resources

To find out more about how a CIMA student at Management/Gateway level can help your business, take a look at our key employer resources.

• CIMA Professional Qualification syllabus brochure
• The Global Management Accounting Principles: a practical framework to improve decision making and drive value. By using the Principles your organisation will have better insight, more relevance, improved analysis and increased levels of trust
• CGMA Competency Framework: an outline of the skills and competencies management accountants need in order to add value to the businesses for. The framework demonstrates the relevance and value of a CGMA as a trusted finance and business strategist
• The value CGMAs bring to business: CGMAs have the essential strategic business and management skills to ensure sustainable business success
• Association Career Hub: Advertise vacancies, graduate schemes or apprenticeships through our online job board.

Benefits

At Strategic level, CIMA people can:

• Make strategic decisions
• Provide overall context for effective implementation of strategy
• Formulate financial strategy
• Manage strategic relationships
• Identify, classify and evaluate risk
• Manage risk associated with cash flow and capital investment decisions
• Understand the role of information systems within organisational strategy.

Job roles

This final stage of becoming a CGMA examines financial and organisational strategy and risk management. Completion, if accompanied by the relevant professional experience, leads to the CGMA designation.

At Strategic level, their role will be that of a Senior Finance Manager. Equivalent job titles might be:

• Senior Management Accountant
• Group Accountant
• Financial Director

People types

In a senior management role, this person has the experience and expertise to handle complex matters with confidence and can lead teams to work on difficult matters. There is formal line management responsibility and accountability for management decision.

Key resources

To find out more about how a CGMA can help your business, take a look at our key employer resources.

• CIMA Professional Qualification brochure
• CGMA.org: Drive best business practices with tools, reports, checklists, and real-world case studies
• CGMA Magazine: The destination for the latest global news and updates for CGMAs. It’s a source for management accounting news, in-depth analysis of key business issues and best practices for management accountants
• CGMA Competency Framework: An outline of the skills and competencies management accountants need in order to add value to the businesses for. The framework demonstrates the relevance and value of a CGMA as a trusted finance and business strategist
• The Global Management Accounting Principles: a practical framework to improve decision making and drive value. By using the Principles your organisation will have better insight, more relevance, improved analysis and increased levels of trust
• The AICPA | CIMA Competency and Learning website: The professional learning and development website for CGMA designation holders which further enhances their career development. The learning content is organised around competency frameworks that focus on technical, business, people and leadership skills.

Key resources

• CGMA.org: Drive best business practices with tools, reports, checklists, and real-world case studies
• CGMA Magazine: The destination for the latest global news and updates for CGMAs. It’s a source for management accounting news, in-depth analysis of key business issues and best practices for management accountants
• The Global Management Accounting Principles: A practical framework to improve decision making and drive value. By using the Principles your organisation will have better insight, more relevance, improved analysis and increased levels of trust.
• The AICPA | CIMA Competency and Learning website: The professional learning and development website for CGMA designation holders which further enhances their career development. The learning content is organised around competency frameworks that focus on technical, business, people and leadership skills.