CIMA’s CGMA

            Professional Qualification  

            What is the CIMA Qualification?  

            Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)  is the world’s leading, and largest, professional body of Management Accountants with a unique blend of management accounting, financial accounting, and business-focused subjects producing competent and confident Chartered Global Management Accountants (CGMAs) who can lead their organisations to sustainable success.                      

             
             
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            The CIMA Qualification

            CIMA Achieves the 5 Ideas below under its Competency Framework and a Qualification Framework.

            What do Management Accountants Do?  Management accountants help businesses worldwide manage their finances. But, in reality, there’s so much more to it. They are business leaders, innovators, decision-makers, and forecasters. They don’t work in just one industry or role. You’ll find management accountants in all kinds of companies, public and private, big and small. Day to day, they interpret financial data, prepare reports, and use business knowledge to help management make decisions. They’re always looking to the future and figuring out ways to improve things for the company.

            The 2 CIMA Qualifications (CertBA & ACMA, CGMA). CIMA Has 2 Qualifications/Designations listed below:

            1. CIMA CertBA : If you don’t have any related qualifications, no work experience, or no business/finance/accounting background, but know that you want to develop a career in business,  You can start CIMA at the Foundational Level (Certificate Level) and attain the CERTBA Qualification NQF Level 5. The Cert BA is also an entry route into the CGMA Professional Qualification. Once you complete both qualifications including meeting the required practical work experience, you’ll be awarded the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation.


            2. CIMA Professional Qualification (PQ): If you have a combination of work experience and a relevant degree in business and finance, you could jump straight into studying the CGMA Professional Qualification to become a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).

            Certificate in Business Accounting (CertBA)

            Subjects: 4 Subjects 
            SAQA ID 112824: NQF LEVEL 5
            Exam Format: Objective Tests
            Duration of Exams: 2 Hours
            Duration of CQ Study Programme: 6 months or 12 Months

            Who Qualifies to Register:
            If you don’t have any related qualifications, no work experience or no business/finance/accounting background, you can join CIMA and start at this Certificate Level. Upon Completion, you could jump straight into studying the CGMA Professional Qualification. Students with Matric Qualify!
             

            Professional Qualification (ACMA,CGMA)

            Subjects: 9 Subjects
            SAQA 112809 | NQF LEVEL 8
            Exam Format: 9 Objective Tests and 3 Case Study Exams
            Duration of Exams: 90 Mins (OT Exams) 3 Hours (Case Study Exams)
            Duration of CQ Study Programme: 2 - 3 Years

            Who Qualifies to Register:
            If you have a combination of a relevant degree in business and finance/accounting and relevant work experience (or just a relevant degree) you could jump straight into studying the CGMA Professional Qualification to become a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).
             
            JOIN ONLINE CIMA INFO SESSION


            The CIMA Competency Framework: Why Study CIMA?

            Idea 1:  CIMA quality-assures your education, developing your skills around 5 mindset-changing competencies of a modern Management Accountant. These 5 broad competencies listed below:


            Technical Skills: Apply accounting & financial skills 

            Financial accounting and reporting; cost accounting and management; business planning; management reporting and analysis; corporate finance and treasury management; risk management and internal control; accounting information systems; and tax strategy, planning and compliance.

            Business Skills: In the context of business

            Strategy; business models; market and regulatory environment; process management; business relations; business ecosystems management; project management; and macroeconomic analysis.

            People Skills: To influence people

            Influence; negotiation and decision-making, communication; and collaboration and partnering.

            Leadership Skills: Lead within the organisation

            Team building; coaching and mentoring; driving performance; change management; and ability to motivate and inspire.

            Digital Skills: Technology is the key driver to change

            Information and digital literacy; digital content creation; problem-solving; data strategy and planning; data analytics; and data visualisation.

            These remain underpinned by ethics, integrity and professionalism.       

            Idea 2:

            CIMA is founded on strong ethical values and the professional skills that bring together Financial Accounting, Management Accounting and Business (Strategy).

            The CIMA Qualification Structure

            As illustrated below, the Qualification Framework, derived from the CIMA Competency Framework elaborates 3 further ideas: 

            Idea 3 : CIMA is structured around 3 vertical pillars (the Enterprise, Performance and Financial Pillar) and 4 distinct horizontal levels (Certificate, Operational, Management and Strategic Levels) requiring a pass at 13 Objective Tests (OTs) and 3 progressively challenging accounting and integrated business case study exams (the Operational Case Study, Management Case Study & the Strategic Case Study Exams); 

            Idea 4 : CIMA allows you to obtain 3 separately recognised qualifications along the way (the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting, CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting and the CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting); and

            Idea 5 :  CIMA requires 3 years of practical work experience (PER) (‘articles’) which you can obtain before, during, or after your CIMA studies.  Learn more.

             In essence, The CIMA Qualification assures that you are technically astute, business savvy (acumen), emotionally intelligent and leadership smart, with a strong ethical and moral compass; transforming you into a sought-after finance professional.


            CERTIFICATE LEVEL
            NQF L5:  SAQA 112824  

            The Certificate in Business Accounting will help students with little or no accounting experience unleash their true business potential. This is a qualification in its own right and also forms a formal entry route into CIMA's CGMA Professional Qualification.

            OPERATIONAL LEVEL
            NQF L6:  SAQA 112829

            At the Operational level, the focus is on short-term decision-making. Once you have completed it, you will be able to work with others in your organisation and use appropriate data and technology to translate medium term decisions into short term actionable plans.

            MANAGEMENT LEVEL
            NQF L7: SAQA 112831

            At the Management level, you will focus on translating long term decisions into medium term plans. Once you have completed it, you will be able to use data and relevant technology to manage organisational and individual performance, allocate resources to implement decisions; monitor and report implementation of decisions; as well as prepare and interpret financial statements to highlight business performance.

            STRATEGIC LEVEL
            NQF L8: SAQA 112809 

            The Strategic level focuses on long term strategic decision making. Once you have completed it, you’ll be able to support organisational leaders to craft strategy; evaluate and manage risks that might prevent organisations from successfully implementing strategy; value organisations; and source financial resources required to implement of strategy.

            CIMA EXEMPTIONS & Entry Level Assessment.

            No entry requirements or prior education are needed to start CIMA at the foundational/certificate level. If you hold a relevant qualification in business and finance/accounting, you may qualify for exemption/credits. 

            CHECK EXEMPTIONS CALCULATOR


                                  CIMA PER

                                  To gain the Chartered Global Management Accountant® (CGMA) designation, you need three years verified relevant professional experience:

                                  Main Points to note about CIMA PER: 

                                  • You will need to record and have your PER supervisor/s verify three years’ experience (full-time equivalent). This can be accumulated before, during and after your studies)

                                  • You can work in any industry or sector and size or type of organization.

                                  • There is no prescribed list of acceptable Or expected job titles.

                                  • The only time requirement is to demonstrate three years’ experience in a relevant role(s). There is no need to split this down any further.

                                  • You can add details regarding your practical experience requirements (PER) to your dashboard ANYTIME.

                                  • You will be able to submit your PER for audit (to be signed off) once you have completed the Management Level.

                                  • Complete 3 of the 5 core activities. For each activity, provide one example of your work experience and complete the STAR template, showing how you demonstrate this activity in your day-to-day role. The total word count for the STAR template is 500-750 words.

                                  Choose 3 out of 5 Core Activities:

                                  1. I have evaluated opportunities to add value

                                  2. I have implemented strategic decisions

                                  3. I have managed performance and cost to add value creation

                                  4. I have measured the performance

                                  5. I have managed internal and external stakeholders

                                  Demonstrating the development of (all below) professional skills or behaviours that are essential to the management accountant. List of Skills & Behaviours:

                                  1. Ethics & Integrity

                                  2. Leadership

                                  3. Growth Mindset

                                  4. Profesional Scepticism

                                  5. Communication

                                  Learn more about CIMA PER

                                  What job can I get with a CIMA qualification?


                                  1. Chief Finance Officer (CFO)

                                  2. Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

                                  3. Finance Officer

                                  4. Operations Manager

                                  5. Debtors/Creditors Controller

                                  6. Risk Manager

                                  7. Project Auditor/Manager

                                  8. Management Consultant

                                  9. Management Accountant

                                  10. Finance Business Partner

                                  11. Financial Accountant

                                  12. Business Analyst

                                  13. Accounts Assistant

                                  Value of Management Accountants

                                  1. They are business leaders - Through understanding how a business works, CIMA members will know business models,strategic context and competitive position inside out, including leadership skills one plays a vital role in any business.

                                  2. They are innovation advisors - For a business to thrive, it needs to constantly adapt to keep pace as the world changes. As a management accountant, you’ll grab every opportunity for innovation and help drive future success.

                                  3. They are data-backed decision makers- By combining financial and non-financial data, you’ll paint a complete picture of the business. You’ll use that in-depth analysis to make decisions and pursue business success at the highest level.

                                  4. They are forecasters - Management accountants focus on the future. You’ll gather information and analyse statistics to spot trends and help make strategic decisions – from improving internal efficiencies to tackling market expansion.

                                  CIMA to SAICA (CA SA)) Pathway

                                  CIMA members are able to convert to the CA (SA) designation under the CIMA to SAICA Membership Pathway Agreement and hold both the CGMA & CA (SA) designations! 

                                  1. The conversion route is only available to individuals who –

                                  • hold the ACMA, CGMA or FCMA, CGMA designations, AND

                                  • are graduates. (Graduates refer to holders of a Bachelor’s degree which is registered on Level 7 of the NQF, takes a minimum of 3 years to complete and comprises at least 360 credits or holders of foreign academic qualifications which are assessed by SAQA as equivalent to a South African Bachelor’s degree which is registered on Level 7 of the NQF, takes a minimum of 3 years to complete and comprises at least 360 credits), AND

                                  • gained registration with CIMA by completing the education, examination and practical experience requirements as prescribed by CIMA.

                                  2. The conversion route is only available to individuals who –

                                  CIMA candidates who meet the requirements outlined above must successfully complete the following:

                                  • SAICA Professional Programme 

                                  • The Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) examination

                                  The successful completion of the professional programme remains valid for a period of three consecutive calendar years from the date on which the professional programme was successfully completed. This means that the APC must be passed within three consecutive calendar years of having successfully completed the professional programme.

                                  If this period has lapsed without the candidate having successfully completed the APC, the candidate is obliged to complete a relevant professional programme again before being eligible for entry into the APC again.

                                  Learn more here.

                                  CIMA Strategic Alliance

                                  CIMA members have access to a number of strategic alliances, including:

                                  1. An accelerated route to Associateship of the Association of Corporate Treasurers

                                  2. A mutual recognition agreement with the Society of Management Accountants of Canada

                                  3. A mutual recognition agreement with CPA Australia

                                  4. A strategic alliance with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia

                                  5. On 26 September 2006, CIMA announced a joint qualification program with the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants

                                  6. Memorandum of understanding with the Institute of Cost Accountants of India

                                  7. Strategic Alliance with the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMAP)

                                  8. A joint venture with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants to establish and promote a new, internationally recognised designation for management accounting — the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).

                                  9. Recognition from the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants

                                  10. An accelerated route to the CGMA designation for members of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)

                                  11. An accelerated route to the CGMA designation for members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG)

                                  12. Memorandum of understanding with CPA Canada: Upon passing day 2 and day 3 of the Common Final Examination, CIMA members are eligible to apply for the CPA designation.

                                  Class Timetables 

                                  Routes to the CGMA® designation

                                  3 Flexible routes to becoming a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA®). Choose the pathway that matches your background, career goals, and study style.

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                                  Self-Tailored Pathway

                                  This route allows you to design your own study plan at your own pace. You will progress through ALL CIMA exams  (Objective Tests and Case Study Exams) using traditional learning materials and classes, with the flexibility to choose your preferred mix of On-Campus/Online Classes, Self Study and exam scheduling (Online or Centre Based Exams). It’s ideal if you want maximum control over how you balance studies with work and life commitments.

                                  We  offer Part-time and Full-time classes under this pathway.

                                  Explore the Self-Tailored Route
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                                  The CGMA FLP Pathway

                                  The CGMA Finance Leadership Program (FLP) is an all-inclusive subscription via CIMA's digital learning platform that lets you demonstrate competencies continuously via assessments  without taking Objective Tests . You will  only take Case Study Exams . It’s suited for professionals who prefer a guided, interactive, and practical learning journey.

                                  DISCOVER THE FLP ADVANTAGE
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                                  Special Route Pathway

                                  This route is designed for senior finance professionals with significant experience and existing qualifications. It provides an accelerated entry into CIMA membership, recognizing your expertise and allowing you to achieve the CGMA designation faster. It’s the perfect option if you’re an experienced leader seeking global recognition of your professional standing

                                  CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY


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