Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

Course Overview

The CIMA syllabus offers a dynamic mix of practical and strategic subjects designed to give you the cutting edge in financial management. Studying for and passing CIMA exams means improving your career development prospects all the time. The CIMA course is a two-part professional qualification consisting of two levels: Managerial and Strategic. The CIMA professional syllabus is split into three pillars within these two levels: Business Management, Management Accounting and Financial Management. On successful completion of the Managerial level (without any exemptions) you will receive the CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting. To become a Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA) you must complete both levels, the TOPCIMA (Test of Professional Competence) and gain three years of relevant experience.

Course Module(s)

Certificate in Business Accounting
The Certificate level has five modules. The modules introduces students to the core areas of financial and management accounting.
Course Subjects:
C1. Fundamentals of Management Accounting
C2. Fundamentals of Financial Accounting
C3. Fundamentals of Business Mathematics
C4. Fundamentals of Business Economics
C5. Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law

Professional:
The CIMA Professional Qualification is highly regarded and recognised by business around the world. The syllabus is made up of three elements:

• The Managerial level – six exams
• The Strategic level – three exams
• The Test of Professional Competence in Management Accounting (TOPCIMA) – one exam based on a case study.

All the exams are three hours long and have a pass mark of 50%.
You will develop decision-making and management skills through studying the Managerial level – as well as an expertise in technical accounting matters.

Course Subjects: (Managerial Level)

1. Paper P1 Management Accounting Performance Evaluation
2. Paper P2 Management Accounting Decision Management
3. Paper P4 Organisational Management and Information Systems
4. Paper P5 Integrated Management
5. Paper P7 Financial Accounting and Tax Principles
6. Paper P8 Financial Analysis

The Strategic level focuses on key strategic issues and business practices.
Course Subjects: (Strategic Level)

1. Paper P3 Management Accounting Risk and Control Strategy
2. Paper P6 Management Accounting Business Strategy
3. Paper P9 Management Accounting Financial Strategy

TOPCIMA is the final exam you will sit. You must sit this exam after you have completed all other exams in line with guidelines  produced by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).
It is based upon a case study and set within a simulated business context. By passing this exam you will prove that you have the ability to transfer your strategic and practical knowledge to a real life business situation.
The TOPCIMA has no specific syllabus content. Material from any of the Managerial and Strategic level subjects could be relevant.

Course Structure