What is CIMA? - All You Need to Know About CIMA

By IIC Lakshya

08 Sep 2024

Others

The CIMA (Chartered Institute of Monitoring Accountants) course is amongst one of the most admired management accounting programs in the world. CIMA offers training and qualification in management accountancy and related subjects. CIMA is focused on accountants working in industry and provides ongoing support and training for members. CIMA equips individuals with skills in financial management, strategic planning, risk assessment, and performance analysis. For a person who wants to enroll himself in CIMA, you might be having questions like, what is CIMA everything about? What jobs can one get after completing this course? And so on. Let this blog be your guide, for you to know everything from the CIMA course details to CIMA as a career.

What is CIMA Course Details?

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) course is an extensive credentials program that teaches students the abilities and also expertise to become successful management accounting professionals. The program has 4 degrees. The CIMA program consists of 9 tests called Objective Tests and 3 case studies. Many students can finish CIMA within 4-5 years.

Complete CIMA course duration and details are as follows:

Complimenting degree:

BBA
B.Com
ACCA
CFA
CFA
MBA

CIMA course duration:

2 to 3 years bifurcated into 4 levels:

Certificate Level
Operational Level
Management Level
Strategic Level

Average Passing Percentage:

50% to 60%

Job Opportunities:

Finance Manager
Management Consultant
Management Accountant
Finance Business Partner
Financial Accountant
Business Analyst
Accounts Assistant

Average Salary:

INR 5 LPA to 8 LPA

What is CIMA Syllabus and Levels?

Want to know what you’d be learning about while pursuing CIMA? Here’s a complete overview of the CIMA Course syllabus and learning concepts.

CIMA Certificate Level:

Fundamentals of Business Economics
Fundamentals of Management Accounting
Fundamentals of Financial Accounting
Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance, and Business Law

CIMA Operational Level

Topics and Weightage:

Introduction to organizations (25%)
Managing the finance function (15%)
Managing technology and information (15%)
Operations management (15%)
Marketing (15%)
Managing Human Capital (15%)

CIMA Management Level

Topics and Weightage:

Introduction to Strategic management and assessing the global environment (30%)
The human aspects of the organization (20%)
Managing relationships (20%)
Managing change through projects (30%)

CIMA Strategic Level

Topics and Weightage:

Interacting with the organization’s Environment (20%)
Evaluating Strategic position and strategic options (30%)
Leading Change (20%)
Implementation Strategy (15%)
The Role of Information systems in organizational strategy (15%)

What is CIMA Eligibility Criteria?

Here’s a breakdown of the key eligibility criteria required to pursue the CIMA qualification.

O-Level or Matriculation:

CIMA accepts candidates after they have done their O-Level or Matriculation examinations. Candidates who possess O-level qualifications granted by recognized examination bodies are CIMA eligible and can register for the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting (CIMA Certificate) program.

A-Level or Intermediate:

In addition, candidates who have completed their A-levels or Intermediates from approved boards/institutions are also entitled to pursue CIMA.

The higher academic level of achievement is demonstrated by A-level qualification and can be utilized as a basis for starting the CIMA certification and various other stages of the CIMA program.

Undergrad or Graduation Degree in Any Discipline:

Candidates with a bachelor's or postgraduate degree in any field from an approved college and university can do CIMA.

Whether it is a bachelor's or master's degree in fields such as commerce, business administration, economics, engineering, science, arts, and also others; individuals with various academic backgrounds can do CIMA.

Equivalent Qualifications:

In addition to these educational qualifications mentioned, CIMA also considers equivalent qualifications from reputable institutions for eligibility.

CIMA may consider candidates with O-Level, A-Level, Intermediate, or undergraduate/graduate degrees or their equivalents as long as they can be verified and approved by CIMA.

What is the course duration for pursuing CIMA?

How long it takes to complete a CIMA (Chartered Institute of Monitoring Accountants) training course in India depends upon many components such as the level of qualification, mode of study, and individual ability of learning. Below is a concept of how much time each degree/level can take.

CIMA Certificate: Certificate In Business Accounting

The entry-level qualification for CIMA takes between six months to a year to complete. This may vary according to what you knew before the course commenced and your other commitments as well.

Operational Level:

The Operational Level within the CIMA Professional Qualification lasts approximately from half a year to nine months.

This stage includes three tests: E1 – Organizational Management, P1 – Management Accounting, and F1 – Financial Reporting and Taxation.

Management Level:

Usually, it will take you not less than six months up to nine months to successfully finish The Management Level under the CIMA Professional Qualification.

This stage is made up of three exams: E2 – Project and Relationship Management, P2 – Advanced Management Accounting, and F2 - Advanced Financial Reporting.

Strategic Level:

Expect to spend between nine and twelve months completing the Strategic Level of the CIMA Professional Qualification.

This level is made up of three exams, namely E3 - Strategic Management, P3 - Risk Management as well as F3 - Financial Strategy.

What is the CIMA course fee?

Let's explore the fee structure for the CIMA course, the cost of registering with CIMA, and what to expect financially throughout your qualification journey.

CIMA Fee:

CIMA course fees include many components starting with the CIMA requiring members to pay a subscription fee every year to maintain their membership status. The subscription fee for students, affiliates, associates, or fellows ranges from INR 6,000 to INR 10,000 a year.

ExaminationFees:

These test charges are subjected to potential changes and can fluctuate according to exchange rates among other variables. The exam costs for any examination attempt might be as low as INR 5000 or as high as INR 15000 per paper depending on the number and level of papers attempted.

Costs of Study Materials:

Depending on whether you choose official CIMA study texts or third-party resources, the price range for CIMA’s learning materials such as textbooks, revision kits, and online sources may vary from INR 5k up to INR 15k.

Training Course Fees (Optional):

Many candidates prefer to attend training courses offered by authorized learning providers. The cost of the course could vary considerably depending on where you learn (classroom, online, etc.) and what else is provided in terms of support. Tuition providers’ course fees ranged from INR 20,000 to INR 60,000 per level or beyond.

Other Miscellaneous Costs:

There may also be various other added costs such as membership application fees, examination rescheduling fees, late enrollment fees, and various other management fees which differ from one center to another and should be budgeted for when considering CIMA studies.

Why CIMA is a Valuable Investment for Your Future?

In the end, CIMA remains unchallenged as a pacesetter in management accounting and financial management. Truly, individuals get empowered by globally recognized qualifications with not only knowledge but also skills and relevant practical expertise to excel within today’s complex commercial environment. Specifically, through flexible study options, a wide-ranging curriculum, and a professional membership route CIMA addresses different career aspirations for continuing professional development. For instance, the organization places an emphasis on strategic decision-making, financial management, and performance evaluation aimed at aspiring professionals as well as experienced executive officers. Not only does this develop people to succeed but it also raises standards of professionalism and integrity in global business society since CIMA is committed to excellence and relevance in today’s ever-changing world

Furthermore, opting for CIMA does not just mean going into a certain profession; rather it is making a valuable investment in the future that leads to unlocking new opportunities which drive organizational growth and make a substantial impact on finance or management accounting throughout the globe.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are there any options for CIMA after the 12th?

Cleared 10+2 examinations can earn an individual a CIMA degree. A normal graduation course can be backed up by this program.

What are the prerequisites for CIMA?

Membership of CIMA

However, you must possess mathematics and English competency at GCSE grade C/4 level or higher. You must complete all four Certificate in Business Accounting subjects before continuing to CIMA's CGMA®

Is CIMA a financial qualification?

In business or finance, the knowledge gained through taking the CGMA professional qualification provided by CIMA is basic and essential for those who want to build a successful career and finally, it helps employers meet their critical skills requirements. You can work in any business, whether it is small or big, public or private anywhere in the world.

What is the hardest subject in CIMA?

So, which CIMA exam is hardest according to the pass rates? P2 is the hardest CIMA exam to pass, with nearly 60% of students unable to overcome this paper.