AAT Students and Members

As an AAT student or member, you can take the next step in your career and start studying for the globally recognised CIMA qualification any time

It’s taken dedication, determination and a lot of hard work to get this far in your AAT study, whether or not you’ve qualified yet. So why stop there? With CIMA, you can delve deeper into the topics you covered in AAT, and gain new skills like financial analysis, project management, negotiation and leadership.

As a Chartered Global Management Accountant with the letters CGMA after your name, you won’t just support and inform business decisions; you’ll make them.

Depending on how far into your studies you are, you could be exempt from four CIMA exams, meaning you’ll qualify sooner. And if you already have your AAT qualification, you’ll get a 50% discount on full AAT membership while you study with CIMA, giving you access to free events and courses, discounts and online learning materials.

Exemptions

If you have completed AAT Professional Diploma in Accounting you are exempt from the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting and can start the CIMA Professional Qualification straight away.

If you hold the AAT Level 2 certificate or Level 3 diploma (level 5/6 in Scotland) you can still study for CIMA.

You will begin with our entry level qualification, the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting. When you have completed the certificate level, you can progress to the CIMA Professional Qualification.

Special arrangements

AAT students receive:

Four-day exemption processing (as opposed to the standard 20-day processing)
50% off AAT full membership fees while studying the CIMA Professional Qualification.

How to get started

Register with CIMA
Email student.admissions@cimaglobal.com with a copy of either:

(a) Your AAT Statement of Achievement from your MYAAT account that confirms successful completion of the Professional Diploma in Accounting / Diploma or
(b) Your AAT Professional Diploma in Accounting / Membership Certificate

Make sure the email subject line clearly states your CIMA contact ID and includes 'AAT'.

You will receive an email confirming your exemptions within four working days. Once confirmed, you can check your exemptions via your MY CIMA account.

CIMA reserves the right to contact the AAT directly to confirm your qualification.

Discount on AAT membership

If you’re an AAT member, you’ll get over 50% off your full AAT membership while studying CIMA. The reduced rate is available for the duration of your CIMA studies, regardless of when you became an AAT member.

Professional members (MAAT) who study with CIMA will pay £70 a year for their full AAT membership, or £64 if paying via direct debit. Fellowship members (FMAAT) who study with CIMA will pay £73 a year, or £67 if paying via direct debit.

Subject to terms and conditions. Please view the AAT website for full details.

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As the general accountancy sector changes with the advent of automation and artificial intelligence (AI), I expect the skills instilled by the CIMA qualification will increase in demand from the accounting sector as a whole.
Ben Rendle FMAAT, FCMA, CGMA Financial Controller, Plymouth Argyle Football Club Read more

Starting CIMA

Identify your entry route and register with CIMA
Apply for exemptions if required
Choose your study method
Schedule your first exam