CIMA is the world’s largest professional body of management accountants, and the CIMA Professional Qualification is recognised worldwide as the most relevant global finance qualification for a career in business.

The CIMA qualification is designed to bring together management accounting, financial accounting and business, so you’ll have the practical skills employers need. That way, you’ll be qualified to work in a wide range of roles from finance to consultancy, IT to senior management positions.

CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting is the entry level qualification into business accounting. No prior knowledge or qualifications are needed. If you have an accountancy or finance degree, or are AAT qualified, you may be eligible to start studying CIMA at the Professional qualification. Otherwise, you must complete the Certificate in Business Accounting first.

The course is made up of four mandatory subjects. You must pass all four subject assessments to be awarded the qualification.

BA1 Fundamentals of Business Economics

BA1 focuses on the economic and operating context of business and how the factors of competition, the behaviour of financial markets and government economic policy can influence an organisation. It also deals with the information available to assist management in evaluating and forecasting the behaviour of consumers, markets and the economy in general

Students will gain an understanding of the areas of economic activity relevant to an organisation’s decisions and, within this context, the numerical techniques to support such decisions.

Subject assessment: computer-based exam

BA2 Fundamentals of Management Accounting

BA2 teaches students fundamental knowledge and techniques that underpin management accounting. It identifies the position of the management accountant within organisations and the role of CIMA. The subject portrays the role of management accounting in the contexts of commercial and public sector bodies and its wider role in society.

Subject assessment: computer-based exam

BA3 Fundamentals of Financial Accounting

In BA3 students will obtain a practical understanding of financial accounting and the process behind the preparation of financial statements for single entities.

These statements are prepared within a conceptual and regulatory framework requiring an understanding of the role of legislation and of accounting standards. The need to understand and apply necessary controls for accounting systems, and the nature of errors is also covered. There is an introduction to measuring financial performance with the calculation of basic ratios.

Subject assessment: computer-based exam

BA4 Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law

In BA4 students will gain an understanding of the professional standards to be demonstrated for the benefit of all stakeholders. With this in mind, the place of ethics and ethical conflict is an essential underpinning for commercial activity. It includes the role of corporate governance, corporate social responsibility and audit; and their increasing impact in the management of organisations. Wherever business is conducted the legal and administrative framework underpins commercial activity. With this in mind the areas of contract law, employment law, administration and management of companies is considered.

Subject assessment: computer-based exam

Professional Operational

This level is made up of three Objective Test subjects and one Case Study. You must pass all three Objective Tests before moving onto the Case Study, which tests what you’ve learned overall in the level. You need to pass all assessments to be able to progress to the Management level.

The Objective Test subjects can be sat in any order. You must have passed all 3 Objective Tests before you can book your Case Study examination

E1 Managing Finance in a Digital World

You’ll learn about the role of finance in organisations, the structure and shape of the finance function, how the finance function interacts with the organisation to create and preserve value, data usage by the finance function and the technology landscape and its impact on organisations and the finance function.

Subject assessment: computer-based exam

P1 Management Accounting

You’ll learn the importance of costs in the production, analysis and use of information for decision-making in companies. P1 covers short-term budgeting, and making short-term decisions on products and services, as well as digital issues in costing.

Subject assessment: computer-based exam

F1 Financial Reporting

You’ll learn about the regulation and preparation of financial statements, giving you the skills to produce basic financial statements for individuals. You’ll also learn about working capital and business tax.

Subject assessment: computer-based exam

Case Study

You’ll be tested on your overall knowledge of E1, P1, and F1. Using the skills gained during the level, you’ll resolve issues that a management accountant may come across at work.

Subject assessment: Integrated Case Study exam (CBE)

Professional Management Level

The management level is made up of three Objective Test subjects and one Case Study. You must pass all three Objective Tests before moving onto the Case Study, which tests what you’ve learned overall in the level. You need to pass all assessments to progress on to the final, Strategic level.

The Objective Test subjects can be sat in any order. You must have passed all 3 Objective Tests before you can book your Case Study examination.

E2 Managing Performance

You can learn about the mechanisms to implement decisions and manage people performance. You’ll learn how business models can be used as a framework to create value, how different styles of leadership can be used to improve the performance of individuals so they can achieve organisational goals and how to use project management concepts and techniques to implement strategies effectively and efficiently.

Subject assessment: OnDemand computer-based exam (CBE)

P2 Advanced Management Accounting

You can learn how costs and their drivers are used to analyse, plan and manage costs to support the organisation strategy, with a long term focus. You’ll also learn about risks with decision-making.

Subject assessment: OnDemand computer-based exam (CBE)

F2 Advanced Financial Reporting

Building on knowledge gained in F1, you’ll learn how to source the long-term finance needed for operations like capital investments. You’ll learn about group accounting, and using financial statements to provide insights.

Subject assessment: OnDemand computer-based exam (CBE)

Case Study

You’ll be tested on your overall knowledge of E2, P2, and F2. Using the skills gained during the level, you’ll resolve issues that a management accountant may come across at work.

Subject assessment: integrated case study exam

Professional Strategic Level

This level is made up of three Objective Test subjects and one Case Study. You must pass all three Objective Tests before moving onto the Case Study, which tests what you’ve learned overall in the level. You need to pass all assessments to be awarded the qualification.

The Objective Test subjects can be sat in any order. You must have passed all 3 Objective Tests before you can book your Case Study examination.

E3 Strategic Management

You’ll develop your skills and abilities to become an effective leader, so you’re able to both formulate strategy and to create the conditions for successful strategy implementation.

Subject assessment: OnDemand computer-based exam (CBE)

P3 Risk Management

You’ll learn how to specify and manage risks that could affect a company’s strategies. You’ll gain the skills to apply techniques used in risk management and understand how the oversight of risks is critical to the governance of the organisation.

Subject assessment: OnDemand computer-based exam (CBE)

F3 Financial Strategy

You’ll gain the understanding of the different strategic financial objectives and policy options that are open to organisations and the factors that influence them. You’ll learn about the capital structure of a firm and sources long term funds, how to value investment opportunities, including the assessment of corporate entities for mergers, acquisitions and divestments and how to evaluate and manage financial risks.

Subject assessment: OnDemand computer-based exam (CBE)

Case Study

You’ll be tested on your overall knowledge of E3, P3, and F3. Using the skills gained during the level, you’ll resolve issues that a management accountant may come across at work.

Subject assessment: OnDemand computer-based exam (CBE)

The Gateway course follows the same structure as our standard Management case study course with an additional Live Online session before the main course starts.

This will introduce:

• The Case Study
• The style of the exam
• And will underpin the knowledge you already have.

Case Study is examined 4 times per year and each exam session is based on a new pre-seen which is released by CIMA six weeks before the exam

Before registering, find out more about your entry route including information on possible exemptions that you may be entitled to.

For a complete list of entry routes and requirements please clink on link below to visit the CIMA website www.cimaglobal.com

Why Excellent Choice Institute of Finance and Management

You can schedule all Certificate in Business Accounting (Cert BA) and Professional Qualification exams online and over the phone through https://www.cimaglobal.com/Studying/Exams/Scheduling-your-exam/.