CGMA FAQs

Uncertain economic times threaten to stifle business. Business leaders need people with new skills to break through.

There is an unmet need and exciting opportunity for skilled people who can bridge the gap between business, strategy and finance. The CGMA designation is a global management accounting designation that demonstrates the skillset needed to meet these challenges and drive sustainable success for organisations around the world.

Anyone can work towards the CGMA designation. Find out how to become a CGMA designation holder.

The CGMA designation is open to everybody once they complete either the AICPA or CIMA qualifications. Find out how to become a CGMA designation holder.

The website is open to everyone but premium content is only accessible to CGMA designation holders.

CIMA students are required to have a thorough understanding of the major IFRS, to be able to apply them correctly in various scenarios. IFRS are regularly examined within the financial pillar of the CIMA syllabus.

CIMA and the AICPA make available high quality, thought provoking and applicable management accounting thought leadership, research and publications that suit members' needs, including industry-specific topics, where applicable.

The CIMA and AICPA routes are very similar when you compare the education, experience and examination requirements. The CGMA designation is based upon admission by competence and experience.

CIMA members continue to follow the existing CIMA CPD policy and AICPA members do likewise.

No. Anyone wanting to work in America would have to follow the normal US immigration procedures.

The AICPA | CIMA Competency and Learning website is the professional learning and development destination for CGMA designation holders and empowers you to take control of your career development to discover and learn new skills when, where and how you want. All CIMA members are required to undertake CPD and keep a record of their development activities. Find out more.

The CGMA website has research and insights to challenge your thinking and keep you at the forefront of your profession.

The CGMA designation is underpinned by both the CIMA and AICPA qualification and so compares favourably with any other qualification in the world. By combining the memberships, the CGMA designation will be known as the most valued and globally recognised management accounting designation.

No.

This is a joint venture between two of the world's largest and most prestigious accounting organisations. It is not a merger and that isn't part of the current plan.

CIMA's aim is to promote the science of management accountancy on a truly international scale. The joint venture allows us to promote management accountancy with the backing of the largest accountancy organisation in the US - the AICPA.

The aim is for CGMA designation holders to drive sustainable successful businesses and to be thought of as trusted business strategists. CGMA designation holders will produce better managed companies, which leads to better investment opportunities and decisions, resulting in better community benefits, all of which is underpinned by CGMA designation holders influencing government policy at both a local and global level.

There are no plans at present for this but if the joint venture is successful, other options, including partnerships with other accounting bodies, could be considered in the future.

No.

The AICPA/CIMA Joint Venture Board has been established and is responsible for the designation. No new committees or boards are expected.

There will be a new board overseeing the CGMA designation and no new boards are planned at present. Both bodies will continue to have their own governance structures which will remain the same.

In the first instance, you should go to the issuing institute of the member. In the US, you should go to the AICPA and in the rest of the world go to CIMA. There will be a section on the CGMA.org website where anyone can submit a complaint about a CGMA designation holder. This complaint will be dealt with by the issuing institute of the CGMA designation holder.

Yes, CIMA members cannot use the letters CGMA or ACMA if they a) failed to pay their subscription, b) have their designations removed due to disciplinary action by CIMA.

Events for CGMA designation holders will be listed on the CGMA.org website and all CGMA designation holders, will be welcome to attend. If an event is not listed on CGMA.org, you can contact the local event organiser for further details.

There are associated costs of developing the CGMA designation. These are being kept to a minimum and will not result in an increase in membership fees. Every year CIMA undertakes new initiatives to help support its members and promote management accountancy. This joint venture is just such an activity.

No.

At present if you wish to become a CGMA designation holder, then you would need to join either CIMA or AICPA. Visit the respective websites to find out which membership options are available to you.

As a member of both organisations, you are entitled to the CGMA designation from both organisations.

CIMA members are welcome to pursue the US CPA if they wish. Those who wish to pursue the US CPA will need to meet the education, examination (the US Uniform CPA Examination), experience and continuing education and ethics requirements required by a US State Board of Accountancy. Please review the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy website for information about the US Uniform CPA Examination and CPA licensure.

No.

No. They remain CIMA members and obtain their CGMA designation through CIMA.

The ACMA/FCMA designations continue to be recognised globally and can still be used by CIMA members.

There is only one grade of CGMA designation. Your FCMA relates to your relationship with CIMA and has no bearing on your relationship with the joint venture.

In the past, CIMA only awarded exemptions based on academic qualifications. The new CGMA designation also recognises the experience that AICPA members who have worked in business have. The CGMA designation is based upon admission by competence and experience.

No.

Yes. This would only change if CIMA members voted to change them.