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THE CIMA® CHARTER

For extraordinary accounting & finance professionals readying for strategic roles in global organizations.

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CIMA® Program Structure

The CIMA® program is composed of two levels. Level 1 is dedicated to foundational aspects of Investment & Management Accounting. Level 2 is focused on application, practical and decision-making aspects of investment & management accounting.

The Level 1 covers 10 knowledge areas essentially dealing with basics of business, strategy and economics as well as covering building blocks of investment & management accounting across themes like risks, costs, financial markets, financial asset pricing, capital budgeting and performance analysis. Level 2 covers 10 areas cutting across advanced aspects of investment accounting, financial reporting, currency exposure management; transfer pricing; global taxation and technology applications in investment & management accounting.

Candidates of the Standard track first register for CIMA® Level 1 and after passing the Level 1 exam, they register for and pay fee for CIMA® Level 2 exam. Professional Pathway candidates register only once, and require to pass only one unified exam of Levels 1 and 2. The CIMA® Professional Pathway program requires candidates to study only 13 of the 20 standard modules. Professional Pathway carefully excludes the 7 areas that certified accounting professionals have knowledge in already, and at the same time have enough exposure to be able to prepare for the other 13 areas more conveniently.

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CIMA® Candidacy Tracks

The CIMA Institute provisions for two tracks to register in the CIMA® program - the Standard Track and the Professional Pathway. The baseline requirement for earning the CIMA® charter-qualification is a completed undergraduate/ Bachelor’s degree, ideally in accounting, finance or any related discipline. However, students in the final year of their Bachelor’s degree program are also allowed to apply, but their application is only accepted for CIMA® Level 1, and they will need to complete their Bachelor’s degree before they can be considered for the award of the CIMA® charter-qualification, designation and CIMA® membership.

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  • Standard Track

    Choose this track if your most recent/ last qualification is at least a Bachelor’s degree (preferably in accounting, finance or business) from a nationally or internationally recognized/ accredited institution/ university. You can also apply for CIMA® along the Standard track if you are in the final year of your Bachelor’s degree program. Standard Track requires you to qualify CIMA® Level 1 and CIMA® Level 2 exams within 3 years of the registration period validity. MBA and Master’s students of CIMA-Recognized Business Schools are accepted in the program at specially reduced fee. CIMA® Standard Level 1 and Level 2 exams are of 4 hours each, covering 20 knowledge areas between them, and can be taken online during exam windows that open for 15-16 days in the months of March, June, September and December every year.

    Check the list of CIMA® Recognized Business Schools here, to find out if you are eligible for the special CIMA® fee.

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  • Professional Pathway

    Choose CIMA® Professional Pathway if you hold a professional qualification or a certification in a specialized area of finance or accounting from a professional association or a certification body featuring in the CIMA® Preferred Accounting Associations list. You are also eligible for the CIMA® Professional Pathway, if you hold an MBA or a Master’s degree in finance or accounting. Professional Pathway accelerates your CIMA® journey because you require to qualify only one exam within 2 years of the registration period validity. The 4-hour CIMA® Professional Pathway exam unifies both CIMA® levels, and can be taken online during exam windows that open for 15-16 days in the months of March, June, September and December every year. CIMA® Professional Pathway lessens the study effort as the exam covers only 13 knowledge areas.

    Check the list of CIMA® Preferred Accounting Associations here  whose qualifications are recognized by the CIMA Institute for the CIMA® Professional Pathway.

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CIMA® At a Glance

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Quick Facts Standard Track Professional Pathway
Registration Anytime during the year Anytime during the year
Candidacy Bachelor's degree, preferably in accounting/ finance or related areas. Final year students of Bachelor’s degree program can also apply Professional qualification/ certification in accounting/ finance or related areas; MBA/ Master’s degree in finance or accounting
Validity of Qualification Life-time; with the need to keep the qualification in good standing through attending the CIMA® review webinar 3rd year onward. Life-time; with the need to keep the qualification in good standing through attending the CIMA® review webinar 3rd year onward.
CIMA® Exams 2 Online Exams: Can be taken in exam windows open in March, June, September and December every year
Level 1 Exam: 4 hours and 150 multi-choice, single-answer questions.
Level 2 Exam*: 4 hours and 150 multi-choice, single-answer questions
*Candidates have to pass the Level 1 exams before they can register for the Level 2 		1 Online Exam: Can be taken in exam windows open in March, June, September and December every year
One, Unified Exam of 4 hours carrying 150 multi-choice, single-answer questions

Knowledge Areas to be studied for Exams 20 (10 in Level 1 + 10 in Level 2) 13 (6 in Level 1 + 7 in Level 2)
Maximum Completion Period Within 3 years, but usually completed in 12-18 months; self-planned study Within 2 years, but usually completed in 6-9 months; self-planned study
Fees (US Dollars) Level 1 - US$ 1150 (paid at the time of registration) Level 2 - US$ 950 (paid at the time of registration) US$ 1575 (paid at the time of registration)
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Candidate Services List +

The CIMA® Package

The CIMA® fee* includes the charges for all the services and facilities.

Quick Facts Standard Track Professional Pathway
Exams Fees First attempt is included with the registration of each CIMA® Level; re-sits are charged First attempt is included with the registration; re-sits are charged
Mock Exams 4 (2 each for CIMA® Level 1 and CIMA® Level 2 exams) 2 – (there is only one Professional Pathway exam)
CIMA® Exam & Study Guide Yes Yes
CIMA® Maintenance & Membership Fee Covered for 2 years Covered for 2 years
CIMA® Membership Card Yes, digital Yes, digital
Digital Designation Badge Yes Yes
Printed Credential-Certificate Yes Yes
Designation Pin/ Badge Yes Yes
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*Please Note: The fee invoice may include taxes extra as applicable in the country of the applicant. The CIMA® fee does not include the cost of US$ 380.00 toward issue of CIMA® charter-certificate kit consisting of printed CIMA® certificate and the CIMA® designation badge and shipping charges. It also covers 2 Years CIMA® Membership fee and service fee for lifetime access to the myCIMA dashboard. Since, the CIMA Institute does not provide any study material, its cost is not covered in the CIMA® fee. Independent publishers, training companies and content providers may contact CIMA® candidates separately for study material and exam-prep training and the CIMA Institute neither regulates them, nor controls their fee, quality or business or educational practices. In some countries, authorized CIMA® educators offer study material and/ or exam-prep training on promotional terms.

Exams

Standard Track Exam

Candidates must qualify the Standard CIMA® Level 1 and Standard CIMA® Level 2 exams. Level 1 exam is of 4 hours, carries 150 multiple choice questions covering the 10 knowledge areas in CIMA® Level 1. The Level 2 exam is of also of 4 hours, carries 150 multiple choice questions and covers the 10 knowledge areas in CIMA® Level 2. Please expand the boxes below to read the Standard Track exam coverage.

  • Level 1 +
    • Investment & Management Accounting - Foundational Principles & Concept Frameworks Weight
    • CS-11

      Accounting for Investment & Managerial Decision-Making

      8%
    • CS-12

      Business, Strategy & International Competitiveness

      8%
    • CS-13

      Analyzing Financial Statements for Business Decisions

      12%
    • CS-14

      Managing & Accounting Risks in Business

      12%
    • CS-15

      Cost Structuring, Product Costing & Activity Based Costing

      10%
    • CS-16

      Investment Accounting Framework & Concepts

      10%
    • CS-17

      Financial Markets, Instruments & Derivatives

      10%
    • CS-18

      Techniques of Managing Investment Portfolios

      10%
    • CS-19

      Capital Investments and Capital Budgeting

      10%
    • CS-20

      Management Accounting & Enterprise Performance Analysis

      10%
  • Level 2 +
    • Investment & Management Accounting - Application Principles & Practice Frameworks Weight
    • CS-21

      Techniques of Pricing Financial Assets

      10%
    • CS-22

      Techniques & Practices of Valuing Businesses

      12%
    • CS-23

      Practices in International Financial Reporting

      10%
    • CS-24

      Techniques of Currency Risk Management

      10%
    • CS-25

      Accounting Tax In Global Investments and Business

      7%
    • CS-26

      Accounting Transfer Pricing In Global Business

      10%
    • CS-27

      Investment Accounting Techniques & Practices

      15%
    • CS-28

      Investment Audit Techniques & Practices

      10%
    • CS-29

      Corporate Governance & Ethics in Global Organizations

      8%
    • CS-30

      Technology & Analytics in Accounting

      8%

Professional Pathway Exam

Candidates are required to qualify for only one, unified Professional Pathway Exam of 4 hours carrying 150 multiple-choice questions covering 13 modules. Here’s a glance at the Professional Pathway exam coverage and weightage by knowledge areas. Please expand the box below to read the Professional Pathway exam coverage.

  • SINGLE UNIFIED LEVEL +
    Investment & Management Accounting - Concept, Principles and Practice Frameworks Weight
    CS-11 Accounting for Investment & Managerial Decision-Making 6%
    CS-12 Business, Strategy & International Competitiveness 7%
    CS-14 Managing & Accounting Risks in Business 9%
    CS-16 Investment Accounting Framework & Concepts 8%
    CS-18 Techniques of Managing Investment Portfolios 8%
    CS-20 Management Accounting & Enterprise Performance Analysis 8%
    CS-21 Techniques of Pricing Financial Assets 8%
    CS-22 Techniques & Practices of Valuing Businesses 9%
    CS-24 Techniques of Currency Risk Management 9%
    CS-26 Accounting Transfer Pricing In Global Business 7%
    CS-27 Investment Accounting Techniques & Practices 9%
    CS-29 Corporate Governance & Ethics in Global Organizations 7%
    CS-30 Technology & Analytics in Accounting 7%

Note: The first 6 of the 13 knowledge areas covered in the Professional Pathway exam represent CIMA® Level 1, and the remaining 7 represent CIMA® Level 2.

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CIMA® Membership

Exclusive to the holders of the CIMA® charter qualification, CIMA® membership includes a host of informational and guidance resources and opportunities of career development and professional growth. Associate membership of the CIMA Institute is immediately granted to candidates once they qualify for the award of the CIMA® charter. Associate membership converts into full CIMA® Professional membership after two years for CIMA® charter-holders meeting and completing membership continuance requirements. CIMA® Associate membership comes complimentary for all CIMA® charter holders, and does not require payment of any fee or action for continuance.

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CIMA Membership Card
Validity & Maintenance

Maintaining CIMA®

CIMA® is valid for life and the qualification never expires. Qualification holders simply require to maintain it well by attending the CIMA® Review Webinar 3rd year onward to continue their membership and permission to use the CIMA® designation. Attending the Review Webinar helps CIMA® qualification holders catch up with the latest buzz on regulations, trends, best-practices and emerging techniques critical for investment & management accountants to know to stay ahead of the curve in their profession. For the first 2 years after the date of award of CIMA® qualification, the holders need to take no action, and the charges are covered in the fee paid at the time of registration. Maintenance fee 3rd year onward is covered in the annual membership fee of US$ 150 every year (or a one-time US$ 650 for life).

CIMA® continuation policy click here

GET STARTED

The roadmap to earn the CIMA® qualification covers five simple steps. Covering these milestones in sequence will ensure that your entire qualification process is smooth. Feel free to Contact Us for any further information you may need at any time.

Step 1: Create Account+
Step 2: Validation and Registration Confirmation+
Step 3: Study Plan Resources +
Step 4: Schedule Your Exam+
Step 5: Award+

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Examination Policies

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Useful Resources

CIMA Exams

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