Members in practice

Members in practice are chartered management accountants in professional practice who provide accounting services to all types of businesses, but are not direct employees.

They are registered and regulated by the CIMA regulations (Byelaw 8). They must be licensed to practise by holding a current CIMA practising certificate

The Member in Practice Rules set out the requirements for who should register as a member in practice, how to comply with mandatory monitoring and practising certificate conditions.

Any member who is found to be offering accountancy services whilst not registered as a member in practice will be given 28 days to register their details with CIMA (or another professional body if they hold dual membership).

Should that member also be found to have been offering accountancy services whilst unsupervised for AML/CTF purposes CIMA will refer that member to the relevant authority, who may wish to take further action:

HMRC
Department of Justice and Equality (Ireland)
The Financial Services Authority (Isle of Man)

Who should register?

Benefits of being a CIMA Member in Practice

Ethics

All members in practice must also work within CIMA's code of ethics and guidance set out within this handbook.

Any member found to be providing accountancy services to clients while not registered as a member in practice may be liable to disciplinary action by the Institute.

Member in Practice services

See the FAQ section for guidance around offering tax services and signing off accounts.

Information can also be found in the FAQ section on how to contact CIMA's member in practice management panel (MiPMP) for advice.

Use of 'Chartered Management Accountant'

Under CIMA's byelaws, use of the description ‘Chartered Management Accountant’ is granted to the individual member, not the firm or practice.

Guidance notes on use of Chartered Management Accountant

Business Support Helpline

CIMA provides a business support helpline for members in practice to help them with business legal issues. Find out more (PDF 153KB).

Who to contact

All information on how CIMA regulates and monitors its members in practice can be found in the members’ handbook.

Find further information around the work they can undertake, benefits and support.

If you cannot find the information you are looking for, or would like further assistance with your member in practice application, please contact us via email cima.mips@aicpa-cima.com or via phone +44(0)203 976 8207 *.

*the phone line is for general support line, not technical support.