CIMA Registration How to Apply for CIMA

Detailed Information On CIMA Registration How to Apply for CIMA

1. Online applicationInformation required from applicantScreen 1: 
   Practising under another bodyMembers can notify CIMA if they already hold a practising certificate with another body, and intend to practice under their regulations. Members practising under another body are not required to complete any further application screens.
2. Screen 2: 
   Contact detailsSupply contact and practice details (practice name and full address is required).
3. Screen 3:
   Work history screen1. Upload CV using CIMA’s prescribed format (more info below).Outline skills gaps and how they are intended to be addressed. Also briefly outline the plans for the practice – e.g. what is the practice venture setting out to do? Assessors need to understand this so they can assess your application. Please include the business structure (sole practitioner, partnership or limited company).Supply two valid referees.
4. Screen 4:
   Practice requirements screenIndicate the type of work the practice will undertake (functional specialisms), while providing supporting evidence of how you are qualified or experienced to provide services. A current copy of professional indemnity insurance for the practice must be uploaded. Confirm a continuity agreement is in place and submit continuity partner details.
5. Screen 5:
   Practice documentation screenUpload completed **anti-money laundering annual return. Confirm compliance with CIMA’s mandatory requirements.
   
   **CIMA reviews the annual return once you have submitted your application, so you may be contacted by CIMA with guidance or a request for further information on your AML/CTF annual review.
6. Screen 6:
   Declarations screen1. Confirm compliance with CIMA’s regulations.
   2. Agree to terms and conditions for use of CIMA’s member in practice logo.
7. Screen 7:
   Payment screenPay current member in practice annual fee.

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) is a UK based professional body offering training and qualification in management accountancy and related subjects. It is focused on accountants working in industry, and provides ongoing support and training for members.

CIMA is one of the professional associations for accountants in the UK and Ireland. Its particular emphasis is on developing the management accounting profession. CIMA is the largest management accounting body in the world with more than 227,000 members and students in 179 countries. CIMA is also a member of the International Federation of Accountants.

CIMA operates a standard scheme of qualifying examinations for prospective members. It promotes local education, training and management development operations, and new techniques through its research foundation and the dissemination of management accounting practices through publications and other media related activities. CIMA has been active in recent educational and vocational initiatives in former Eastern bloc countries. It publishes a monthly journal, supplied free to members and registered students, called ‘Financial Management’.

CIMA is recognised as a professional accounting body for various statutory purposes by UK and various overseas governments. The institute regulates the activities of its members by a code of practice, a discipline committee and (a recent innovation) a continuing education scheme. Its governing body is its council, comprising members elected from regional branches. Each of the branches has a committee and is responsible for much of the ‘grass roots’ activity. Activity such as qualification development is undertaken from the London head office.

The CIMA Global Business Challenge, an annual international business and strategic management competition for undergraduates around the world, is designed to bring out the best in the young business leaders of tomorrow.

In July 2009, CIMA added an online community – CIMAsphere – to its website. The community consisted of a range of blogs, discussion boards, groups, community answers, expert Q&A sessions and some social networking features for members, students and the general public. This has since been shut down. Members are instead encouraged to join the CIMA LinkedIn group, and students are directed to CIMAconnect, an online study support portal.

In 2011, CIMA entered into a joint venture with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) to launch a global management accounting designation called the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).In the Americas outside the U.S., non-U.S. CPAs can obtain the new designation as an AICPA International Associate, after a rigorous assessment process. In the rest of the world, new designation holders are able to become members of CIMA after the same assessment process.

CIMA is proactive to tie up with American CPA because of the current convergence trend between US-GAAP and IFRS, reinforced following the merger of the iconic New York Stock Exchange with Germany’s Deutsche Boerse AG. “It remains to be seen whether companies listed in a combined exchange would be required to report under IFRS, US GAAP or both, but as the US appears to be moving towards IFRS adoption it is more likely the international standards would be the accounting rules of choice”.

Detailed Information On CIMA Registration How to Apply for CIMA

Application and assessment

All members wishing to work as a CIMA member in practice must apply for a CIMA practising certificate.

All the requirements outlined below are mandatory to applying to become a member in practice. Each application screen must be completed in full prior to moving on to the next.

Ethical conductDetailed Information On CIMA Registration How to Apply for CIMA

All applicants must confirm they are compliant with CIMA’s code of ethics and that they understand its fundamental principles, safeguards and threats.

CIMA’s prescribed CV format / functional specialisms

All submitted CV’s must meet CIMA’s prescribed CV format (PDF 37KB). CVs that are not in this format will not be accepted. Also see CIMA’s example CV (PDF 65KB).

CIMA’s CV guidance contains information regarding functional specialisms.

Skills gaps

There is a free text box to outline any skills gaps that the CV may show with regards to working in practice and what CPD is being undertaken to address this.

The plans for the practice (practice venture) should also be set out here.

Detailed Information On CIMA Registration How to Apply for CIMA

Operational and management level

Within each learning pillar, students are advised to sit and pass the operational level subject examination before sitting the management level subject. However, examinations from different learning pillars, at either operational or management level, may be sat concurrently. Students are recommended to sit no more than three examinations at any single diet, in order to optimise the probability of success

The pass mark for each of the operational and management level subject examinations is 50% and permanent credit is awarded for any paper in which the candidate scores 50% or more.

On successful completion of all operational level subjects, students are awarded the CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting.

On successful completion of all management level subjects, students are awarded the CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting.

Strategic level

When attempting the strategic level subjects, students must sit all three examination papers (one from each learning pillar – Papers E3, P3 and F3) together at the first sitting. At any subsequent examination attempts, these papers may be taken in any order and combination.

The pass mark for each of the strategic level subject examinations is 50% and permanent credit is awarded for any paper in which the candidate scores 50% or more.

Students must pass all three strategic level subject examinations before attempting the Test of Professional Competence in Management Accounting

Detailed Information On CIMA Registration How to Apply for CIMA

Recommended read 

• Complete details of CIMA Syllabus and Subjects
• Complete details of CIMA Study plan
  
• CIMA Exam related Free notes complete details
• CIMA Exam Study material, Practice manual complete details

Detailed Information On CIMA Registration How to Apply for CIMA