CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting

The Certificate in Business Accounting has four subjects that provide fundamental knowledge of core business and accounting concepts. As a formal entry route to CGMA Professional Qualification, these subjects also underpin the three pillars of the qualification: Enterprise, Performance, and Financial. Our course provides comprehensive support to help you master the subject matter and pass your CIMA exams.

Fundamentals of Business Economics (B1)

The Fundamentals of Business Economics (B1) explores business's economic and operating context. Throughout this subject, you'll learn how factors like government economic policy, the behaviour of financial markets, and competition can influence organisations.

You'll also learn how to apply economic principles to decision-making and how economic factors outside the business affect its operation.

Syllabus topics

We've outlined the B1 syllabus topics and their corresponding weight credits below:

• Macroeconomic and Institutional Context of Business (25%).

• Microeconomics and Organisational Context of Business (30%).

• Informational Context of Business (20%).

• Financial Context of Business (25%).
  
  

Fundamentals of Management Accounting (B2)

The Fundamentals of Management Accounting (B2) teaches you fundamental knowledge and techniques that underpin management accounting. You'll become proficient at using key management accounting tools, practices, and techniques to help decision-making in this subject.

Syllabus topics

Below are the subject's syllabus topics and their corresponding weight credit:

• Context of Management Accounting (10%).

• Costing (25%).

• Planning and Control (30%).

• Decision Making (35%).
  
  

Fundamentals of Financial Accounting (B3)

The Fundamentals of Financial Accounting (B3) provides a practical understanding of financial accounting principles, standards, and frameworks. You'll also learn how to prepare financial statements governed by a conceptual and regulatory framework. As such, you must understand the role of legislation and accounting standards.

The subject also delves deeper into implementing controls for accounting systems and calculating basic accounting ratios to determine the business's financial performance.

Syllabus topics

Below are the subject's syllabus topics and their corresponding weight credit:

• Accounting Principles, Concepts and Regulations (10%).

• Recording Accounting Transactions (50%).

• Preparation of Accounts for Single Entities (30%).

• Analysis of Financial Statements (10%).
  
  

Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law (B4)

The Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law (B4) discusses ethical, corporate, and statutory frameworks that govern businesses. You'll also discover how certain laws like employment law, contract law, and other legislative codes regulate corporate activity and its business stakeholders. Further, the subject also helps you understand the professional standards that must be demonstrated for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Syllabus topics

Below are the subject's syllabus topics and their corresponding weight credit:

• Business Ethics and Ethical Conflict (30%)

• Corporate Governance, Controls, and Corporate Social Responsibility (45%)

• General Principles of the Legal System, Contract and Employment Law (15%)

• Company Administration (10%)

Format and duration

All CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting exams are computer-based multiple-choice exams. Each assessment will have an exam duration of two hours. We'll provide the materials and resources needed to help prepare for your exams.

Below are the number of question items for each exam.

• Fundamentals of Business Economics exam - 60 multiple-choice questions.

• Fundamentals of Management Accounting exam - 60 multiple-choice questions.

• Fundamentals of Financial Accounting exam - 60 multiple-choice questions.

• Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance, and Business Law exam - 85 multiple-choice questions.

Availability 

All exams from this qualification are available via the awarding body. You can take these on-demand assessments online or at 5,500 Pearson VUE centres across 178 countries worldwide.

You'll need an active student subscription to sit your exams. Annual student subscriptions and exam fees are separate from the course price.

Our CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting training course is ideal for those looking to kickstart their business finance or management accounting careers. You can enrol in the course even if you have little to no experience in the finance industry.

The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting is a qualification in its own right, but if you want to become a Chartered Global Management Accountant, this qualification is your formal entry route to CIMA Professional Qualification.

To study the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting, we recommend that you:

• Are at least 16 years old or have the consent of a parent or guardian.

• Have a solid understanding of the English language.

• Are comfortable with basic Mathematics.

• Have access to a PC or laptop (This course is compatible with both Mac and Windows).

While this qualification is delivered online, we also include the textbooks to assist you with your studies. 

Most comprehensive course training at the most affordable price.

Professional credibility: Earn your CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting upon completing all subjects to help demonstrate your professional commitment and expertise to employers in the finance industry.

Comprehensive eLearning platform: Access an industry-leading eLearning platform with all the support and learning materials you need and a user-friendly interface for easy navigation.

Responsive Tutor support: Request unlimited support from award-winning Tutors who aim to assist you with your learning and respond to you within 24-48 hours.

Interactive course content: Our interactive course content, consisting of engaging slides, videos, animations, and more, can help you better engage with the lessons.

Exam preparation materials: Prepare for your CIMA examinations with our exam preparation materials, which include pocket revision kits, mock exams, practice papers, question banks, and exam preparation guides.

Flexible learning: Study at your own pace, when and where it suits you best, with 12 months of course access.

Physical study books: Gain additional insights through CIMA-accredited textbooks.

Interest-free payment options: Our interest-free payment options make your education more accessible so you can study the course and start your learning journey without worries.

Available CIMA courses: Continue learning with our CIMA Professional Qualification courses, starting with the CIMA Professional Qualification Operational Level course.

TOTUM Pro card: Shop with discounts using the TOTUM Pro card, which offers discounts in selected stores and websites. 

What is CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting equivalent to?

The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting is equivalent to a Level 4 qualification, comparable to the first year of an undergraduate degree.

How long does CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting take?

At e-Careers, we offer flexibility on the course to allow our students to study at their own pace. On average, our students typically complete their CIMA Business Accounting training course within 12 months.

What should I do next after I have completed the Business Accounting qualification?

Upon completing the Business Accounting qualification, you'll gain the designatory letters, CIMA Cert BA, which you can use in your professional career. You can also use your qualification as a formal entry route to CGMA Professional Qualification and start studying the Operational Level of the Professional Qualification.

What jobs can I apply for after my CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting?

After achieving your CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting, you will gain the designatory letters CIMA Cert BA. You can then apply for job roles related to accounting and finance.

Some of these positions include:

Management Accountant: Interpret financial data to make sensible strategic decisions for an organisation. You will work with budgets, balance sheets, profit and loss reports, and more.

Financial Analyst: Guide businesses and individuals on investment decisions, where you could work for a bank, insurance company, pension fund, or another business.

Management Consultant: Help companies make better decisions by solving problems quickly.

Financial Risk Manager: Analyse and predict risks, including investment risks and changing market trends. You may work with stakeholders, Compliance Managers, Credit Officers, and Risk Assessment Analysts.

Accounts Assistant

As an Accounts Assistant, you'll support accounting teams with tasks like preparing accounts, processing invoices, and handling balance sheets.

Bookkeepers

Bookkeepers record daily business transactions and maintain the accuracy and completeness of the company's financial records and multiple accounts.

Accounting Technician

Accounting Technicians encompass broader record-keeping responsibilities and assist accountants in presenting and reporting financial statements. Their average earned compensation in the UK is £27,000.

Cost Accountant

Cost Accountants analyse and allocate the business' costs to optimise resource efficiency and profitability.

Can you do CIMA without a degree?

You can study for the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting without a degree or prior experience in the industry. To study the course, you only need to be at least 16 years old, have an interest in finance, and have a strong understanding of English and Mathematics.