CIMA |

Employees: > 250

We’re CIMA, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. We’re proud to be the largest and most influential body of management accountants in the world. We’re home to over 590,000 students and members spread across 179 countries and territories around the globe.

About CIMA

Gain the most relevant finance qualification for a business career.

What does it mean to be a management accountant?

As a management accountant, your financial expertise and analytic skills will be invaluable to your organisation’s leadership, where you can assist with decision-making efforts, value creation, and organisational strategy.

You’ll know the financial health of the company and can steer the organisation to achieve its strategic goals for long-term success.

Beyond budgeting, you can work on sustainability initiatives, data analytics projects, cybersecurity issues, and so much more.

Choose a job that reflects your values. With jobs spanning across sectors, you can find a challenging yet fulfilling position that aligns with your values.
Boost your earnings potential. CGMA® designation holders earn higher comparative salaries after programme completion.
Get your work recognised on a global stage. The CGMA designation is considered the gold-standard management accounting designation and is in demand by global employers.
Stand out to employers. Learn in-demand digital competencies, sharpen your leadership skills, and become a finance and accounting expert.
Learn with flexibility. The programme was designed with busy adults in mind; you can choose a learning pathway that works for your lifestyle.

Be part of an influential organisation — CIMA

As a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants® (CIMA), which is partnered with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants® (AICPA) to form AICPA & CIMA, you’ll be part of the world’s largest and most influential body of accountants.

You’ll find a variety of resources to meet your current career goals as a member of CIMA. Enjoy an expanded professional network. Connect with fellow professionals across the world.

AICPA & CIMA are 597,000 members strong, and their members represent over 180 countries. There are 32 representative offices around the world whose staff are committed to advancing the profession and increasing education opportunities for individuals of all backgrounds.

CGMA: Four letters, endless opportunities

When you earn the globally recognised Chartered Global Management Accountant® (CGMA) designation, you show employers you’re proficient in finance, operations, strategy, and management competencies.

Management accounting is anything but mundane, and after earning your CGMA designation, you can unlock new career opportunities and earnings potential.

The programme was designed with you in mind, so you can select a route that works for your current season of life — Self-tailored Learning Pathway, CGMA Finance Leadership Program, or CIMA’s Apprenticeships.

Self-tailored Learning Pathway: This route enables progress at your own pace by studying with a tuition provider via online courses or textbooks.
Finance Leadership Program: This structured, interactive approach enables learning via a comprehensive online platform.
Apprenticeships: Great for hands-on learners, candidates get practical learning experiences from a government-funded study apprenticeship training provider whilst still receiving a formal education. (Only available in England)

With the CGMA designation, you have options

Management accountants can work across industries and sectors — from the finance department of your favourite football club to CFO at a multinational company. You could also apply your expertise to become a business owner, finance director, consultant, or chief executive.

The average salary of AICPA & CIMA members studying the CGMA designation has reached £38,000 in 2023. And once candidates secure the CGMA designation, they can expect a significant pay bump. Those with a CGMA designation usually have a starting salary of £54,000 and can rise to £93,000 as they progress in their career. This shows that employers place a high value on the skills that CGMA designation holders bring to their organisations.

Get the true value of your experience and education

Depending on your current education level and credentials, you could start earning the CGMA designation at a more advanced level and finish the programme faster — in as little as a year in some cases.

Exemptions exist to give credit where credit is due. If you already have a degree or other professional qualification that’s relevant to the CIMA CGMA designation, you may be able to skip certain exams.

Explore the exemption calculator.

CGMA Competency Framework: A framework for success

Whether you want to start your own consulting business or become a CFO at a large organisation, the CGMA Competency Framework was designed so you can excel as a management accountant.

The current edition of the framework covers essential technical, business, people, leadership, and digital skill sets.

Keen technical skills will enable you to collect, store, process, and analyse important information. With honed business skills, you can transform the data you collect into insights that can guide leadership’s decision-making efforts.
Communication is paramount as a management accountant, and strong interpersonal skills will assist as you effectively work with various stakeholders.
Being a good leader takes practice, and the multifaceted approach to leadership provided in the CGMA framework will help you work with your peers, lead finance departments, and execute an organisation’s business strategy.
Digital skills are in demand. From basic digital literacy skills through cybersecurity and digital analytics, the CGMA framework will help you keep pace with advances in technology.