2011 CIMA certificate in business accounting welcome pack

The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification Getting started

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Welcome to CIMA Welcome to the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting www.cimaglobal.com/certificate This welcome pack provides every new CIMA student with an overview of the qualification and the support available to help you make your first step on your journey towards the CIMA Professional Qualification.

Contents The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting

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Study methods

7

Study support from CIMA

8

Resources by paper

9

Planning your studies

10

Your first CIMA exam

11

Be part of CIMA’s interactive network

12

CGMA – the new global designation

13

Questions and answers

14

The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification

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The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification

The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting CIMA has revised the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting syllabus for 2011. The syllabus has been designed to be relevant to employer needs, coherent, to support the professional qualification and enhance the student learning experience.

New topics have been introduced to ensure the qualification remains relevant to modern business.

They reflect significant emerging issues facing the business and financial communities, such as the causes and effects of the current banking and global financial crises. The updated syllabus also uses a new format which links the lead learning outcomes, component learning outcomes and syllabus content more explicitly.

The five certificate subjects are completely flexible. You can study the papers in any order and choose any combination of papers to suit your way of studying. Students who carefully plan and commit to their studies can complete the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification in 12-18 months.

AWARD - Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

Part A

of of Professional T4Test - Test Professional Competence in Management Accounting

Initial Professional Development – work-based practical experience

Strategic level

Enterprise pillar

Part B

Case Study Examination based on pre-seen and unseen material

Performance pillar

Financial pillar

PAPER E3 - ENTERPRISE STRATEGY

PAPER P3 - PERFORMANCE STRATEGY

PAPER F3 - FINANCIAL STRATEGY

· Analyse corporate environment (internal/external) · Evaluate strategic options · Manage change · Design and run performance management systems

· Evaluate and manage business risk · Manage financial risk · Review, audit and evaluate risk control systems · Apply risk management to IT/IS environment

· Formulate and evaluate financial strategy · Conduct business or corporate valuation · Model and forecast cash flows and other finances · Advise on mergers, acquisitions and divestments

Management level

AWARD - CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting PAPER E2 - ENTERPRISE MANAGEMENT

PAPER P2 - PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

PAPER F2 - FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

· Analyse competitive environment · Plan, set up, manage and execute projects · Lead the team · Negotiate and communicate effectively

· Advise on product manufacture and pricing · Plan and manage cost for competitive advantage · Design and manage budgeting system · Evaluate performance of organisational units

· Prepare group accounts · Evaluate and apply IFRS · Analyse and interpret financial statements · Prepare CSR reports

Operational level

AWARD - CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting PAPER E1 - ENTERPRISE OPERATIONS

PAPER P1 - PERFORMANCE OPERATIONS

PAPER F1 - FINANCIAL OPERATIONS

· Awareness of IT/IS issues and environment · Awareness of key marketing issues · Awareness of efficiency and quality issues · Awareness of people management

· Calculate and analyse cost of products · Forecast and budget for organisational activities · Evaluate capital expenditure · Manage short-term finance (e.g. cash)

· Prepare basic tax computations · Prepare financial statements for single company · Use IFRS and GAAP · Manage general and other ledger systems

CIMA CERTIFICATE IN BUSINESS ACCOUNTING Paper C01 - Fundamentals of Management Accounting | Paper C02 - Fundamentals of Financial Accounting | Paper C03 - Fundamentals of Business Mathematics Paper C04 - Fundamentals of Business Economics | Paper C05 - Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law

About the syllabus The syllabus is made up of five subjects: • Fundamentals of Management Accounting (C01) • Fundamentals of Financial Accounting (C02) • Fundamentals of Business Mathematics (C03) • Fundamentals of Business Economics (C04) • Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law (C05) Paper C01 Fundamentals of Management Accounting This paper deals with the basic techniques for the identification and control of costs and cost management. It introduces the context of management accounting in commercial and public sector bodies and its wider role in society.

A The context of management accounting

10%

B Cost identification and behaviour

25%

C A D B E C

30% 10% 20% 25% 15% 30%

Planning within organisations The context of management accounting Accounting control systems Cost identification and behaviour Decision making Planning within organisations

B A

C

E

BD

A

C

E

D Accounting control systems Paper C02 Fundamentals of Financial Accounting

20% A Conceptual and regulatory framework 20% E paper Decision making 15% This takes candidates through conceptual and regulatory frameworks, accounting systems, B Accounting systems 20% controls for accounting systems. preparing accounting statements for single entities, and the necessary

D B

A

C A D B

Preparation of accounts for single entities Conceptual and regulatory framework Control of accounting systems Accounting systems

45% 20% 15% 20%

C Preparation of accounts for single entities

45%

D Control of accounting systems

15%

A Basic mathematics

15%

B Probability

15%

C A D B E C F D G E

15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 10% 15%

Summarising and analysing data Basic mathematics Relationships between variables Probability Forecasting Summarising and analysing data Financial mathematics Relationships between variables Spreadsheets Forecasting

F Financial mathematics

15%

A The macroeconomic context of organisations G Spreadsheets

25% 10%

B The goals and decisions of organisations C A D B

D A

B

D

C B

A

C D

G A G

C

FB E C D F

E

25% The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting A qualification B

The market system and the competitive process The macroeconomic context of organisations The financial system The goals and decisions of organisations

25% 25% 25% 25%

D A

C B

3

4

D Accounting control systems B Cost identification and behaviour

20% 25%

E Decision making C Planning within organisations

15% 30%

AD The context of management Accounting control systems accounting

The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification

10% 20%

BEA Cost identification and behaviour Conceptual and regulatory framework Decision making

25% 20% 15%

CB Planning within organisations Accounting systems

30% 20%

DC Accounting systems Preparationcontrol of accounts for single entities A Conceptual and regulatory framework

20% 45% 20%

ED Decision Control making of accounting systems B Accounting systems of Business Mathematics Paper C03 Fundamentals

15% 15% 20%

E A

B D C

E

BD

A

A E D A

B C D

BC

C paper Preparation of accounts for single entities 45% This introduces students to basic mathematics, probability, summarising and analysing data, variables, forecasting, financial mathematics and spreadsheets ie business applications D of mathematics.

AD Conceptual and regulatory framework 20% C Control of accounting systems 15% BA Accounting systems Basic mathematics

20% 15%

CB Preparation Probability of accounts for single entities

45% 15%

DC Control of accounting systems Summarising and analysing data A Basic mathematics

15% 15% 15%

D Relationships between variables B Probability

15% 15%

B

A D A

B CC

D G B E Forecasting 15% C C Summarising and analysing data 15% A F E Financial mathematics 15% AFD Basic mathematics 15% Relationships between variables 15% D G Spreadsheets 10% BG 15% E Probability Forecasting 15% FB E C CF Summarising and analysing data 15% Financial mathematics 15% A Paper C04 Fundamentals of Business Economics DG Relationships between variables 15% Spreadsheets 10% A paper The macroeconomic context organisations 25% system and the competitive D This covers the goals and of decisions of organisations, the market G E Forecasting 15% process, the financial system and the macroeconomic context of business.

B The goals and decisions of organisations 25% AF EB F Financial mathematics C The market system and the competitive process A The macroeconomic context of organisations G Spreadsheets D The financial system B The goals and decisions of organisations

15% 25% 25% 10% 25% 25%

C The market system and the competitive process

25%

AD The Themacroeconomic financial systemcontext of organisations

25% 25%

BA The goals decisions of organisations Ethics andand business

25% 15%

CB The market system and the competitive process Ethical conflict

25% 10%

DC The financial system Corporate governance A Ethics and business

25% 10% 15%

D A

C B

D A

C B

D B CC D This paper covers ethics and business, ethical conflict, corporate governance, comparison of English A Paper C05 Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law

Comparison of English law with alternative legal systems 10% lawD alternative and company B with Ethical conflict legal systems, the law of contract, the law of employment, 10% administration and finance.

B C E The law of contract C Corporate governance

20% 10%

The law ofbusiness employment AFD Ethics and Comparison of English law with alternative legal systems

10% 15% 10%

Company administration and finance BG E Ethical The lawconflict of contract

25% 10% 20%

CF Corporate The law ofgovernance employment

10% 10%

DG Comparison of English lawand withfinance alternative legal systems Company administration

10% 25%

E The law of contract

20%

F The law of employment

10%

G Company administration and finance

25%

G A

A

E F D

G B CF

G

E D E

F

Understanding the syllabus The syllabus for each paper contains: • Lead and component learning outcomes which demonstrate what our students ‘can do’ once they pass that subject.

• Indicative syllabus content.

A component learning outcome has two main purposes: • To define the skill or ability (referred to as ‘learning objective’) that a well-prepared candidate should be able to demonstrate in the examination.

• To demonstrate the approach likely to be taken by examiners in examination questions.

The learning outcomes are part of a hierarchy of learning objectives (Figure 1). ‘Knowledge’ is level 1 (the lowest level) and the highest level is ‘evaluation’, which is level 5.

In the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting syllabus only verbs from levels 1, 2 and 3 (knowledge, comprehension and application) are used in the component learning outcomes and only verbs from these three levels can be found in the assessments. See the syllabus for the full verb table.

Figure 1 – Learning objectives (skill or ability that a well-prepared candidate is expected to demonstrate)

Evaluation Analysis Application Comprehension Knowledge

Example from C01 Fundamentals of Management Accounting syllabus Component learning outcome – Explain the importance of cost control and planning within organisations.

The verb ‘explain’ is level 2 in the learning objective hierarchy. An assessment question based on this component learning outcome could use one of the verbs from level 2 (comprehension) or from the lower level 1 (knowledge) but a higher level verb will not be used to test this component learning outcome.

The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification

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The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification

Assessment strategy All exams under the 2011 certificate syllabus are computer based and can be taken at one of our accredited computer based assessment (CBA) centres worldwide. Find your nearest CBA centre by visiting www.cimaglobal.com/cba You may take the five subject assessments in any order and in any combination. You can study the subjects sequentially or concurrently, in any combination to suit you. As these are computer based assessments, you can sit the assessments at any time of the year at any CIMA approved assessment centre. The pass mark is 50% and you will receive a permanent credit for any subject in which you score 50% or more. Once you complete the five subject assessments, you will be awarded the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification.

Relevant mathematical tables and formulae will be provided for use during assessment. They are also available on the CIMA website www.cimaglobal.com/certificate

Study weightings Within each subject, a percentage weighting is shown against each section topic. This can be used as guidance on the: • proportion of study time required by each topic • approximate proportional distribution of marks across section topics.

It’s essential you study all topics in the syllabus, since any single assessment question may examine more than one component learning outcome.

Study routes It’s possible to complete the qualification in 12-18 months. The syllabus is very flexible and you can decide on the number of assessments you take and the sequence in which you take them. You can choose any combination of assessments to suit your own study requirements.

For example, you could choose to study and sit assessments for two subjects every six months, as shown below.

Paper C02

Paper C05

Fundamentals of Financial Accounting

Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law

Second six month period

First six month period

Paper C01

Paper C03

Fundamentals of Management Accounting

Fundamentals of Business Mathematics

Paper C04 Third six month period

Fundamentals of Business Economics

Study methods The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification can be studied for in a variety of ways.

It’s recommended you organise your studies around component learning outcomes and not on topics or indicative syllabus content. This is because CIMA examines learning outcomes and not topics. In the assessment, the question requirement is simply a component learning outcome with a very short scenario or some data, for you to demonstrate your knowledge/comprehension or to apply your knowledge and understanding.

Blended learning Blended learning offers the effectiveness of face-to-face tuition together with the flexibility of distance learning. An example of this would be a distance learning course followed by a taught revision course. If you would like to choose when and where you study but would also benefit from some tutor support, then blended learning may be the option for you. To find CIMA Learning colleges that offer distance learning courses, see CIMA’s college list at www.cimaglobal.com/colleges

Distance learning with CIMAstudy.com The official CIMA online resource is CIMAstudy.com. It is ideal for students in areas where there is little or no tuition provision, or for those who prefer to self-study at their own pace. Courses are now available for all certificate level subjects. Visit www.CIMAstudy.com for more information and to view demonstration modules.

Home/self-study with official CIMA textbooks This is the most cost-effective method with which to study the CIMA qualification, the only study costs being your books and exam fees. Home study does require high levels of discipline and self-motivation.

The official CIMA textbooks can be purchased from www.cimapublishing.com

Taught course You can follow a taught course with one of the many colleges globally which teach CIMA. The CIMA Learning college list at www.cimaglobal.com/colleges will show you a list of colleges in your area which provide tuition for the CIMA qualification in varying degrees, whether it is tutor support when studying at home or full taught classes which are either full/part-time, evening/weekend or block basis.

Please note, not all providers listed will offer every option. For information on fees, please contact the tuition provider you wish to study with.

Quality Partner colleges have been assessed by CIMA under the CIMA Learning scheme, and have provided evidence they can meet all of our performance requirements. Where possible, we recommend that all students attend tuition in a Quality Partner college.

Colleges which are unable to meet the criteria for Quality Partner but have committed to our delivery guidelines will be listed on our college list. At this level we have not formally assessed the quality of tuition provided by these colleges, so we strongly advise you to carry out your own research before attending a course.

CIMA Learning is the scheme in place to assess and accredit tuition providers, and it does not currently extend to ‘online only’ course providers.

The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification

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The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification

Study support from CIMA Syllabus Spend some time analysing the syllabus for each subject you are studying. Each syllabus is divided into a number of broad topics. The learning outcomes in the syllabus identify what you are expected to be able to do in the exam. The verbs used in the beginning of component learning outcomes demonstrate the level at which the examiner can ask a question based on a particular learning outcome.

To help you with your studies, a full copy of the syllabus has been included as part of this welcome pack.

Financial Management You will regularly receive CIMA’s Financial Management magazine. This contains an informative mix of features, news and practical advice. Look out for the technical articles and exam notices in the study notes section.

Velocity Velocity is our global e-magazine for all CIMA students, which is sent out every two months. It contains news, technical articles, case studies, study and career advice and exam notices.

CIMAsphere CIMAsphere is our online community. It features a range of forums, groups, blogs, videos and live events, providing a platform for you to ask questions, share information, give advice and find expertise and support among peers. You can obtain advice from study support and learning specialists.

You can also contact each other through the CIMAsphere web messaging service, organise events and find study buddies: http://community.cimaglobal.com

Ethics and professionalism At CIMA we help you to develop both your technical ability and your professional capacity. Your success is important to us. Once you become a member, the designatory letters (ACMA, CGMA/FCMA, CGMA) and chartered status denote your professionalism, practical experience, credibility and integrity, along with your commitment to ethics and CIMA professional development. Ethics is a key component of being a chartered professional, enhancing both reputation, employability and ongoing earning potential.

In our annual survey, ethics and professional standards are deemed to be ‘the most important aspect of CIMA membership’. That is why ethical practice and understanding sits at the heart of the CIMA qualification and all members and students are committed to upholding the CIMA Code of Ethics. The Code is globally recognised and offers a framework and set of principles for all to follow. CIMA’s Code and supporting resource material for ethics helps provide useful guidance around ethical practice and resolving ethical dilemmas.

Ultimately, ethics makes good business sense. See why ethics is important to your career and longterm business success www.cimaglobal.com/professional-ethics

Resources by paper We’ve produced a collection of resources for each paper, which can be accessed from the syllabus website www.cimaglobal.com/certificate These include exam questions, study guides, useful articles, reading lists and mathematical tables.

• Fundamentals of Management Accounting (C01) www.cimaglobal.com/C01 • Fundamentals of Financial Accounting (C02) www.cimaglobal.com/C02 • Fundamentals of Business Mathematics (C03) www.cimaglobal.com/C03 • Fundamentals of Business Economics (C04) www.cimaglobal.com/C04 • Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law (C05) www.cimaglobal.com/C05

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The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification

Planning your studies Follow these tips and be prepared for the assessments.

• Do some research before choosing how you are going to study – make sure the option you choose will suit you and the way you learn best.

• Read the syllabus for the paper you are studying, then create a study plan and a separate revision plan. Stick to your plans.

• Be realistic when creating your study and revision plans – set achievable targets but make sure you will have time to cover everything.

• Keep a record of your progress against your plan.

• Be protective of your study time. Find yourself somewhere peaceful to study with no interruptions – if this isn’t possible at home, study at work or in the library.

• Put variety into your study sessions – spend some time reading your textbook, do a practice question, or read a related article from the CIMA magazine.

• Build review sessions into your study time to be sure you fully understand what you are learning.

• Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses – avoid concentrating your studies on the areas you are good at. Spend time tackling the areas that cause you problems.

• Do plenty of exam question practice. Visit CIMAstudy.com for sample computer based assessments for you to assess your progress.

• Make use of all the study support available from CIMA. • Studying can be very stressful, particularly around exam time. See our dedicated section for advice from CIMA students, staff and markers on how to keep anxiety at bay.

Visit www.cimaglobal.com/studystress

Your first CIMA exam Find your nearest accredited assessment centre If you are not studying at a college, or if your college does not offer the certificate syllabus, search the list of accredited centres for your nearest centre at www.cimaglobal.com/cba

Arrange to sit with a centre. You do not enter for exams directly with CIMA You can sit assessments at any time of the year. Each centre decides when they offer assessments.

Speak directly to them to arrange a date and time.

Pay the assessment fee to the centre You pay the assessment fee to the centre, not to CIMA. Please visit www.cimaglobal.com/fees for details. Please note centres may charge additional administration fees.

Try the software first Objective test questions are used in the qualification. Try the sample questions at www.cimaglobal.com/certificate Model question papers for each subject will soon be available in the ‘Study Resources’ for each CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting paper, on our website.

Receive results and feedback when you finish You’ll see your results and indicative feedback onscreen as soon as your assessment has finished. It will take between five and seven days for your results to show in your MY CIMA account.

If you are successful, you will receive a certificate of achievement and your exam status will automatically be updated at CIMA. If you are unsuccessful, the feedback will show where you should focus your studies in the syllabus. You can arrange your re-sit when you are ready.

Calculators You can use electronic calculators and scientific calculators, including those with basic programming functions or with standard memory functions (including solar-powered calculators) are acceptable.

You should refer to your calculator manufacturer’s handbook for full details on the functionality of your calculator.

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The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification

Be part of CIMA’s interactive network CIMA represents a community of students with a common interest – to enhance their employability by studying CIMA. As a CIMA student, you can now be part of a local community with the ability to exchange views and experiences with other students. More importantly, you can speak to other students about exams or discuss the papers afterwards. Some of the best study advice comes from real CIMA students, so it’s worth visiting and participating.

CIMA’s online community http://community.cimaglobal.com CIMA Student Support blogs http://community.cimaglobal.com/blogs CIMA Facebook www.facebook.com/pages/CIMA-the-Chartered-Institute-of-ManagementAccountants/125723823897 CIMA Twitter www.twitter.com/CIMA_News CIMA LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/cima Local support Local support helps you to keep you in touch with changing legal and business requirements in your area. It also puts you in touch with news and events that can help you through the exams and applying for membership.

CIMA India www.cimaglobal.com/Our-locations/India1 http://community.cimaglobal.com/groups/content/cima-india CIMA Southern Africa www.cimaglobal.com/Our-locations/SouthernAfrica http://community.cimaglobal.com/groups/content/cima-south-africa * local specific web pages also exist for Botswana, Ghana, Malawi, Mauritius, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

CIMA Sri Lanka www.cimaglobal.com/Our-locations/SriLanka/ http://community.cimaglobal.com/groups/content/sri-lanka-members-professional-network CIMA UK www.cimaglobal.com/Our-locations/UK http://community.cimaglobal.com

CGMA – the new global designation Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) is the global designation for management accountants, it’s powered by AICPA (the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants) and CIMA, two of the world’s leading accounting organisations.

On completion of the CIMA qualification and becoming a CIMA member, you are automatically entitled to the CGMA designation. It will add global power to your CV, showcase your value around the world and demonstrate your business acumen, ethics and commitment.

As a CGMA you will benefit from: • Being part of an online community – a global community of like-minded peers where you can connect with the best minds in management accounting.

• Access to the tools, webinars, reports and research to challenge your thinking and keep you at the forefront of your profession.

To find out more visit www.cgma.org

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The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification

Questions and answers Q: What is a contact ID? A: Your contact ID is your unique CIMA reference number. We give you a contact ID when you register as a CIMA student or create a web account and you can use it in conjunction with a password to access your MY CIMA area and our discussion forums. You will find your contact ID on all correspondence we send you.

Q: How long will it take me to complete the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification?

A: There is no time limit to complete this qualification. On average, it takes a student who is working full-time and studying part-time from one to two years to qualify.

Q: How many times can I sit an assessment?

A: There is no limit to the number of attempts you may have at each exam.

Q: Is there a time limit on completing my assessment?

A: No. You can take as long as you want to complete the qualification. However, please note the syllabus is updated on a regular basis (every five years) so you may need to refresh your knowledge when resuming your studies.

Q: Am I entitled to any exam exemptions for previous study?

A: To find out if you are eligible for any exemptions from the CIMA examinations, please visit www.cimaglobal.com/exemptions Q: I hope to receive exemptions; when do I need to pay?

A: If we award you any exemptions you will receive an email confirming this. You can view your exemptions online using your MY CIMA account under ‘My exam history’. You need to pay for your exemptions within eight weeks of them being awarded, either online by credit/debit card or by sending us a cheque or bankers draft.

Q: Do I get a certificate for my exemptions?

A: We do not issue exemption certificates. An email will be sent confirming the exemptions you have been awarded and you can view your exemptions online using your MY CIMA account.

If you choose to waive an exemption and then sit the exam and fail, you cannot reclaim the exemption for this paper.

Q: Is there anyone I can come and see for advice on joining CIMA? A: If you are outside the UK you can contact your local office; email our CIMA prospects team at prospectivestudents@cimaglobal.com or call us on +44 (0)20 8849 2251 (select option 1). The CIMA prospects team operates Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 8.00pm GMT. You can come and meet one of the team at 26 Chapter Street, London SW1P 4NP, or attend one of our Saturday open days (held the first and third Saturdays of each month). To book a place, please email booking@cimaglobal.com

Q: How do I apply for a visa?

A: We are not involved in visa applications. You need to contact the UK Border Agency for further information regarding visas.

Q: How do I get a job within management accounting? How easy is it to get a job?

A: You can visit CIMA My Jobs to find out about job offers in your area and sector. This service also allows you to search for a graduate scheme. The careers advice section contains a wealth of information for students and members looking to find a job as a management accountant. You can also use our employer database to find out if your employer or prospective employer is registered with CIMA Training.

Q: How do I get practical experience if I am not working within management accounting?

A: You do not necessarily need to be working within management accounting to gain relevant work experience. CIMA students and members have a wide range of jobs available to them, not all of which are within finance or accountancy. Download the practical experience requirements brochure from www.cimaglobal.com/per which will help you to determine whether your current job position allows you to gain the required basic, core and supplementary skills.

Q: Can I call myself CIMA part-qualified?

A: No. Full completion of the CIMA qualification, including the practical experience requirement, is broadly equivalent to a Master’s degree and has post-graduate status in the UK. Membership (ACMA, CGMA) is awarded when the full qualification, including the final test of professional competence, parts A and B have been successfully completed. CIMA does not use the term ‘part-qualified’.

However, your progress through the examinations is rewarded at various stages, with the award of the CIMA Certificate of Business Accounting after successful completion of the five certificate level papers, the CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting on completion of all three operational level papers and the CIMA Advanced Diploma on completion of all six operational and management level papers.

These intermediate awards are a useful way of describing your progress and current skills and knowledge to employers.

Q: I’ve just completed my CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting. When can I sit my professional level examinations?

A: If you want to sit the professional level examinations, you must have been awarded exemptions from, or have passed the certificate level papers, by 1 March – for May professional examinations – or 1 September – for November examinations. It can take up to 20 working days to award exemptions during January/February and July/August peak periods.

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The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting qualification

Q: How much can I expect to earn once I’m CIMA qualified?

A:

LEARN AND EARN You can see how much you can expect to earn, and the qualifications you will get as you progress through the CIMA Professional Qualification syllabus. You can also see how your investment in studying and exams, which ranges from £500 to £3,000 at each stage depending on how you wish to study, is quickly rewarded.

START: £26,000*

£97,156+

*AVERAGE SALARY Office for National Statistics, 2010

£52,680

CIMA member ACMA, CGMA

CIMA member FCMA, CGMA

CIMA DIPLOMA IN MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING

CIMA ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING

ASSOCIATE CHARTERED MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANT

FELLOW CHARTERED MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANT

12 months.

12 months.

12 months.

+£44,476

Strategic – T4

+£15,856

Management

+£5,988

Operational

+£2,104

£30,836

+£2,732

£28,732

CIMA CERTIFICATE IN BUSINESS ACCOUNTING

£36,824

Source: 2011 CIMA Salary Survey

*These figures are based on a UK Salary Survey Q: How do I contact CIMA? A: Our call centre, CIMA Contact, is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm GMT Monday to Friday.

T. +44 (0)20 8849 2251 E. cima.contact@cimaglobal.com Our postal address is: CIMA, 26 Chapter Street, London SW1P 4NP, United Kingdom If you live in Australia, Malaysia, China, India, Hong Kong, the Republic of Ireland, Singapore, Sri Lanka or Southern Africa, please contact your local office. Details of these can be found at www.cimaglobal.com/Our-locations

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants 26 Chapter Street London SW1P 4NP United Kingdom T. +44 (0)20 8849 2251 F. +44 (0)20 8849 2250 E. cima.contact@cimaglobal.com www.cimaglobal.com