About CIMA

If you are aiming for a truly successful and diverse career in business, CIMA can accelerate you towards your career goals. CIMA is the only professional body that qualifies and supports accountants solely for business. CIMA Chartered Management Accountants work in industry, commerce, the public sector and not-for-profit organisations. The CIMA Professional Qualification is seen as a passport to global employability because it is internationally portable and highly valued by employers.

CIMA has over 164,000 students and members in 161 countries. CIMA Chartered Management Accountants work in all sectors from service industries to manufacturing, government to financial services, and small enterprises to multinationals.

Role of a CIMA Chartered Management Accountant

CIMA Chartered Management Accountants are forward-looking, unlike traditional accountants whose focus is on reporting past performance. Their role is geared towards assessing business possibilities, grasping opportunities and shaping the future of organisations. They have the strategic insight to assess risk and make vital decisions based on a robust understanding of the business environment. CIMA Chartered Management Accountants typically move around the business and are qualified go engage in a wide variety of activities. They combine a high level of financial and management expertise with excellent business acumen and decision-making skills.

How to qualify as a CIMA Chartered Management Accountant

To qualify as a CIMA Chartered Management Accountant you need to complete both the managerial and strategic levels of exams and the CIMA Test of Professional Competence in Management Accounting (TOPCIMA). You also require a minimum of three years' relevant practical experience.

Gaining work experience while you are at university will give you a distinct advantage over other graduates seeking similar employment. Relevant practical experience could also count towards CIMA's three years' relevant Practical Experience Requirements. For more information on CIMA's Practical Experience Requirements visit www.cimaglobal.com/per

Your CIMA entry options

The road to CIMA membership is open to all, regardless of your educational background. However you must be competent in Mathematics and the English language before you start.

If you have a relevant degree you may be eligible for exemptions - visit www.cimaglobal.com/exemptions to check CIMA's exemption database. To get the most from your undergraduate studies speak to your course tutor about CIMA Accreditation and the modules you need to take to secure exemptions.

CIMA Training

Employers really value the CIMA Professional Qualification because CIMA students combine extensive applied academic learning with relevant practical experience.

CIMA Training is an employer accreditation programme that encourages and recognises the quality of training provided by employers. Accredited organisations are committed to supporting you through your studies. Support can be in the form of mentoring, paid study leave, buddy schemes and graduate schemes tailored around the CIMA syllabus and Practical Experience Requirements. Visit www.cimaglobal.com/cimatraining for a full list of CIMA Training Partners.

CIMA My Jobs

CIMA's online graduate recruitment site lists current vacancies from CIMA Training Partners looking for the right people to become their leaders of tomorrow. Make CIMA My Jobs your first port of call to progress you career by visiting www.cimaglobal.com/mygradobs

CIMA case studies

Find out more about CIMA students and members who are enjoying great careers in a variety of sectors by visiting CIMA's case study library at www.cimaglobal.com/casestudies Also visit www.cimaglobal.com/movie to view CIMA's short film of CIMA students sharing their experiences.

Register as a CIMA student

To register online as a CIMA student visit www.cimaglobal.com/gethobreg

Registration deadlines

May exams: Register by 31 January
November exams: Register by 31 July

CIMA Events

CIMA runs a series of Open Days and attends university careers fairs throughout the UK where you will have the opportunity to speak 1-to-1 with CIMA experts. Visit www.cimaglobal.com/graduatefairs for further information.

Stay informed

To be the first to hear about jobs with CIMA training, CIMA open days, presentations, salary surveys and much more visit www.cimaglobal.com/bulletins

CIMA recruitment literature

Visit www.cimaglobal.com/recruitmentliterature to download a pdf. of CIMA's graduate recruitment brochure to find out how CIMA can help shape your career.

The CIMA Difference

The CIMA Difference is a highly sought after brochure which presents findings on comparative research carried out by The University of Bath. The brochure benchmarks CIMA with other accounting bodies. It is an independent piece of research that will help students decide which qualification is the most suitable to progress their career. Visit www.cimaglobal.com/cimadifference to download the CIMA Difference brochure.

Just for Fun!

What type of management accountant are you? - fun quiz

'Who wants to be a management accountant?' is a fun interactive tool identifying your profile, based on work styles and personality types. Are you an entrepreneur? A visualiser? A challenger? Or a harmoniser? Visit www.cimaglobal.comcimaquiz to find out.