What is CIMA®?
CIMA stands for the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants®. CIMA is the world's largest professional body of management accountants, offering the most relevant finance qualification for business.
What credential can I achieve through CIMA?
CIMA guides candidates to achieving the CGMA® designation, and a CIMA candidate has options for how best to pursue the CGMA designation.
The CGMA designation can be achieved through the professional qualification, which structures the CGMA syllabus into three levels — Operational Level, Management Level and Strategic Level.
There are three pathways to the CGMA designation: tuition provider pathway; self-study pathway; and online digital learning through the CGMA Finance Leadership Program (FLP).
A CGMA candidate could begin the journey at the foundational level by pursuing the Certificate in Business Accounting. Pursuing the Certificate in Business Accounting is valuable to individuals with little or no accounting background.
What is the CGMA designation?
The Chartered Global Management Accountant® (CGMA) designation is a globally recognised distinction of accounting and finance professionals who guide strategic decision-making and drive business performance in organisations around the world.
Why is the CGMA designation important?
Management accountants with the CGMA designation are strategic counsellors for businesses.
CGMA designation holders are able to bridge the gap between business, strategy and finance to make informed, insightful decisions.
The CGMA designation identifies finance professionals with analytical skills and the strategic vision to meet short-term challenges and create long-term sustainability for organisations.
Anyone who wants to cultivate their commercial skills, strategic ability and transformational mindset can work towards the CGMA designation. Check out 5 reasons to earn the CGMA designation and see if you might be the management accountant of tomorrow.
Is the CGMA designation available to tax professionals?
Yes. Anyone can apply to become a CGMA designation holder. The CGMA designation is open to everybody, including tax professionals with completed AICPA or CIMA qualifications and newcomers to the accounting profession.
How long will it take me to qualify for the CGMA designation?
On average, candidates who choose to study through a tuition provider or study independently take one year to complete the Certificate in Business Accounting and four years to complete the three levels — Operational Level, Management Level and Strategic Level.
CGMA candidates who choose the online digital pathway — the CGMA Finance Leadership Program — could complete the three levels in 3-4 years, so approximately one year per level. The CGMA FLP pathway includes three case study exams and three levels of learning: the Operational Level, which focuses on short-term decision making; the Management Level, which focuses on medium-term planning; and the Strategic Level, which focuses on long-term strategic decision-making.
What are my study options?
The choice is yours! The options available include learning in the classroom with a tuition provider, online learning systems and self-study from your home.
The pathways to the CGMA designation are:
Tuition provider
Self-study
Online digital learning through the CGMA Finance Leadership Program
Study resources, articles, and guides are available on the CGMA Study Hub.
How much will it cost to achieve the CGMA designation?
CGMA candidates pay a one-time registration fee, an annual subscription fee, and a fee for each exam. To find out more, explore fees and other important information.
If you register between 1 January and 30 September, your annual subscription fee will be waived until the end of the year.
If you register between 1 October and 31 December, your annual subscription fee will be waived until the end of the following year.
New candidates do not have to pay their first year’s subscription fee.
Notes:
The CIMA subscription year runs from 1 January to 31 December.
You will also need to pay for study materials and any tuition classes.
Where do I register as a CGMA candidate?
You can register as a CGMA candidate online.
Select the chat icon to the right of your screen, or visit our help page for frequently asked questions and other contact information.
Can I complete my CIMA registration if I am unable to comply with previous conduct declarations?
You will need to submit full details of all sanctions, offence orders or undertakings in question before you are able to register.
We review each submission on a case-by-case basis. You will be contacted if we require any further information or clarification.
Once we reach a decision, we will confirm the outcome via email.
To move forward, please select the chat icon to the right of your screen, or visit our help page for frequently asked questions and other contact information.
Please include an email address within your contact details so that we can discuss any conduct issues with you directly. We work within the public interest and have the right to refuse an application in light of the information you supply.
Do I need to register as a candidate before I enrol with a tuition provider?
Yes. We can only confirm your status and award exemptions once you have completed your registration. You must also register to be eligible for any examinations.
Where can I find my contact ID once I have completed the registration process?
You will receive a welcome email which will contain your contact ID after registration. You will need this to access the system and then you will be able to find your contact ID under ‘My Profile’.
If you do not receive this email, you can select the chat icon to the right of your screen, or visit our help page.
My CIMA membership has lapsed. How do I rejoin?
If your membership has lapsed, you can rejoin CIMA upon paying the following fees:
Readmission fee
Current year's subscription fee
Any fees you owed in the year your membership ended
What are the annual subscription fees?
Annual fees vary depending on your membership type — regular, candidate, affiliate or retired — and your additional activities or credential subscriptions, such as member in practice (MiP).
Subscription fees are subject to annual changes.
Can I be stripped of my CGMA designation?
To place the designatory letters of CGMA or ACMA after your surname, you must be an active member.
If you have discontinued your membership or if the designation has been removed due to disciplinary action by CIMA, you may not use the designatory letters.
I already have a management accounting credential from another organisation — am I eligible for the CGMA designation?
No. If you wish to become a CGMA designation holder, you will need to join CIMA or the AICPA. Explore your membership options.