CIMA® qualified professionals stand out sharp from the crowd because they bring to the table specialist level competence in managing business value for organizations through their management accounting skills, and monitoring performance of investments in securities through their investment accounting knowledge.
The super-specialized and rarefied investment accounting domain, and the ever-important and perennial favorite management accounting are two of the most exciting, growth-laden and high demand areas of accounting today. The CIMA® qualification creates job opportunities, accelerates careers, and paves tracks for senior level positions cutting across finance, consulting and non-finance industries. The dual-specialized CIMA® qualified professionals have the option of making careers in both investment accounting and management accounting areas, and can work in hedge funds, asset management, investment banking, wealth management, financial consulting, corporate banking, as well as transnational business and non-business corporations across a host of other industries and sectors.
A dual specialization in investment & management accounting is ideal for professionals who wish to diversify their career options through one qualification.
CIMA® qualified professionals can work diverse roles in a large cross section of organizations, because they are specialist management accountants as well as investment accountants. They are ideal choices for important positions in small and large asset management firms, brokerage houses, wealth management firms, finance KPOs, investment banks, publicly listed international business companies as well as and multinational business corporations. They also work in not-for-profit global organizations, government and internationally diversified academic institutions.
Analyzing diverse data to generate timely financial intelligence and insights for use within a company doing business in multiple countries and dealing with multiple currencies is one of the features that distinguishes the job of an investment & management accountant from that of other categories of accounting professionals. A Qualified investment and management accountants:
Financial Analyst engage in financial modeling, budgeting, and preparing supporting schedules and forecasts in organizations having multi-country and multi-currency operations. Analysts also track results and perform variance analyses. The exact position in this role depends on the nature and duration of a CIMA® charter-holder’s work experience.
Working with investment management teams supporting the entire investment cycle including client screening, financial analysis, elaboration of investment proposals, monitoring investments, etc. Perform analysis of financial statements. Maintain client relationships by periodically requesting information and monitoring performance. Undertake country and industry research to support in the origination of investments. Interact with other stakeholders such as risk management, legal, auditors.
Hinging on a CIMA® charter-holder’s work history and accomplishments, these roles eventually lead to the Financial Controller's office in companies having multi-country and multi-currency operations. Accountants perform a range of fundamental accounting tasks, such as account review and reconciliation, journal and general ledger entries, and preparing financial reports on various subsidiaries; associate companies etc., of globally diversified organizations. Additional duties may include testing internal controls and basic cost accounting. (Entry-level position.)
These roles are ideal for CIMA® charter-holders because of their knowledge of statistics, data science, data extraction, and data visualization, in addition to their competence in management accounting. They are responsible for analyzing raw data in companies having multi-country and multi-currency operations, including non-financial data, to identify trends and insights that impact strategic and investment decisions.
Professionals in this role typically report to the CFO or CEO of companies having multi-country and multi-currency operations. They are responsible for developing comprehensive strategies for growth across the entire portfolio of a company’s investments, products and services across markets. Their duties include scanning the external business environment to determine organic growth potential as well as opportunities through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activities.
CIMA® charter-holders working the role of FP&A typically report to the CFO in companies having multi-country and multi-currency operations. They are responsible for finalizing and implementing corporate strategies that focus on investment profitability and cost containment. In addition, they ensure that strategic priorities and decisions are built into the planning processes across the company. Executives in this position will also play a central role in analyzing business cases for developing new markets, products, investments and services.
This senior leadership role typically reports to the CFO or CEO in companies having multi-country and multi-currency operations. The Controller manages a staff responsible for all financial reporting and accounting operations, including internal and external financial statements and regulatory reporting requirements. Additional priorities for Controllers include implementing internal control systems, evaluating the effectiveness of accounting systems, and monitoring business performance metrics. (Years of experience may vary.)
As a member of the senior leadership team, the CFO is a key advisor to the CEO. Priorities for the CFO include capital requirements for the entire business, sourcing funds and structuring corporate financing, maintaining relationships with lenders and investors, and evaluating merger and acquisition opportunities.
Works like a CEO for the fund. Responsible for implementing a fund's investment strategy and managing its trading activities. They oversee mutual funds or pensions, manage analysts, conduct research, and make important investment decisions. Role responsible for a complete asset management.
Works as accountant for portfolio of investments such as securities, commodities and/or real estate held in an investment fund such as a mutual fund or hedge fund. Delivers accurate and timely production and delivery of reporting to clients by ensuring efficient and accurate trade processing, NAV review, corporate actions processing, security valuation, financial statements production, query handling and other ad hoc reporting for funds.
Provides consulting and advice about an individual's or entity's finances. Financial advisors can help individuals and companies reach their financial goals sooner by providing their clients with strategies and ways to create more wealth reduce costs, or eliminate debts.
Can work as independent audit consultant or as an accountant specialized in private equity business. You can use the investment accounting expertise to focus on areas like fund organization and structuring, Valuations and FAS 157/ASC 820, income, loss and carried interest allocations, distribution computations, financial statement preparation and disclosures, specialized private equity services for SBICs and BDCs and custody audit.
Most of the roles are in the corporate finance division of large conglomerate to manage the liquidity of a business. This means that all current and projected cash inflows and outflows must be monitored to ensure that there is sufficient cash to fund company operations, as well as to ensure that excess cash is properly invested. Typically, these positions report of the CFO, and CIMA®s working this role are knowledgeable in financing and hedging strategies and lead communications with ratings agencies and external investors.
CIMA® is the world’s only twin-major and the most powerful qualification today for accountants! It takes only a few minutes to apply for CIMA® program and two tracks to choose from – Standard, and Professional Pathway. Earn the pride of belonging to the league of the best.
