CIMA Professional Qualification Strategic Level (E3, P3, F3)

CIMA Strategic Level is the advanced and final level of the CGMA Professional Qualification. This strategic level focuses on long-term strategic management, decision-making concepts, tools, and frameworks. Our course provides comprehensive support to help you master these three subjects and pass all your exams.

Strategic Management (E3)

Strategic Management is the subject representing the Enterprise pillar of the CGMA Professional Qualification. This subject focuses on core concepts of business strategic thinking to help you support organisational leaders in creating a successful strategy implementation.

You'll gain a deep understanding of strategy formulation, implementation, and analysis, which will help you contribute to the development and execution of an effective organisational strategy.

Some of the expected learning outcomes for this subject are the following:

1. Gain an understanding of the foundation of strategic management, the dynamics of the organisational ecosystem and how it affects an organisation's strategy.

2. Strategic choice and how options are generated, linking them to the organisation's purpose, values and vision and how the options are evaluated, chosen, and integrated coherently to form the organisation's strategy.

3. Discover how strategy is implemented, implementation objectives are achieved, and change is managed.

4. Identify the technologies that underpin digital transformation and various elements of digital strategy.

For this subject, the key concepts that you'll learn are:

1. The Strategy Process.

2. Analysing the organisational ecosystem.

3. Generating strategic options.

4. Making strategic choices.

5. Strategic control.

6. Digital strategy.

Risk Management (P3)

Risk Management is the subject representing the Performance pillar of the CGMA Professional Qualification. This subject discusses advanced knowledge and skills to manage risks that could threaten your organisation's success.

You'll learn how to identify, assess, and evaluate potential risks so you can manage, mitigate, and avoid making them in the future.

Some of the expected learning outcomes for this subject are the following:

1. Identify, evaluate, and manage enterprise risks.

2. Learn where strategic risks emanate from, how to evaluate them, and how oversight of these risks is critical to the organisation's governance.

3. Understand how internal controls can be used effectively in the risk management process.

4. Discover how to identify, analyse, remedy and report strategic and cyber risks.

For this subject, the key concepts that you'll learn are:

1. Enterprise risk.

2. Strategic risk.

3. Internal controls.

4. Cyber risk.

Financial Strategy (F3)

Financial Strategy represents the Financial pillar of the CGMA Professional Qualification. This subject teaches you different strategic financial objectives and how to implement them to ensure the financial sustainability of the organisation.

You'll also learn how to value organisations and manage financial risk appropriately, as well as successfully implementing strategy and sourcing the financial resources required to support your organisation's strategic goals.

Some of the expected learning outcomes for this subject are the following:

1. Discover the different strategic financial objectives and policy options open to organisations.

2. Find out the types of funds available to organisations to finance the implementation of their strategies, including where and how they access these funds at the right time, in the right quantities and at the right cost.

3. Discover the sources of financial risk, how to evaluate and manage financial risks appropriately, and techniques in business valuation to assess whether a company has created and preserved value within the organisation.

4. Master the valuation techniques to calculate the value of organisations and conditions applicable for such calculations, especially intangibles in the digital world,

5. Learn how to report intangible value and their drivers in integrated reporting.

For this subject, the key concepts that you'll learn are:

1. Financial policy decisions.

2. Sources of long-term funds.

3. Financial risks.

4. Business valuation.

Format

CIMA Professional Strategic Level requires you to pass three objective tests and a case study exam before earning the qualification.

The objective tests are multiple-choice and computer-based, assessing all the component learning outcomes covered in this course. The case study exam is also computer-based and covers all the knowledge, skills, and techniques across the three subjects and assesses how you apply them to real-world situations.

Duration

Below are the durations for each exam at this level:

• Strategic Management (E3): 90 minutes.

• Risk Management (P3): 90 minutes.

• Financial Strategy (F3): 90 minutes.

• Case Study Synoptic Exam: 3 hours.

Availability

All exams from this level are available via the awarding body and can be taken at 5,500 Pearson VUE centres across 178 countries worldwide. You can take the objective exams on demand, while the case study is only available in four windows throughout the year. We'll provide you with all the support and resources you need to prepare for your exams.

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

Objective tests are computer-marked, so you'll receive your provisional results within 48 hours. Case study, on the other hand, is human-marked, so it'll take 6 to 8 weeks before you can receive the results from this exam. 

Our CIMA Strategic Level training course is ideal for finance professionals seeking career advancement in business accounting or management accounting roles. You can enrol in the course if you already have relevant qualifications or experience in the industry and are a CGMA candidate taking the CIMA's Professional Qualification.

To study the CIMA Professional Strategic Level, we recommend that you:

• Are a CGMA delegate currently undertaking the CGMA Professional Qualification journey.

• Complete the Management Level of CIMA Professional.

• 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.

Industry-leading qualification: Receive the charted global management accountant designation after you complete your CIMA journey, which is internationally recognised worldwide.

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 engage with the lessons better. It can be found on our eLearning platform.

Exam preparation materials: Better prepare for your CIMA examinations with our exam preparation materials.

Flexible learning: Study independently, with 12 months of course access, which can be used when and where it suits you best.

Physical study books: Gain additional learning insights as we provide you with CIMA-accredited textbooks to match your learning preferences.

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.

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

How valuable is a CIMA Qualification?

A CIMA qualification is a great addition to your professional toolkit.

Its awarding body, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, is the most prominent professional body for management accountants recognised by employers. 96% of FTSE 100 firms employ CIMA-qualified individuals.

CIMA qualifications are worth earning because they offer essential skills and professional recognition, which can open up career opportunities across different countries and industries. Graduates enter the industry with access to various opportunities, including Finance, Consulting, and Management roles.

What is a CIMA Professional Qualification equivalent to?

Completing all levels of CIMA Professional Qualification and earning the CGMA designation is equivalent to a Master's Degree or Level 7 qualification, demonstrating a high level of knowledge, skills, and commitment in management accounting.

How difficult is CIMA Strategic Level?

The CIMA Strategic Level may have challenging assessments and case study examinations, but with the right support and resources, you can pass all exams and continue working towards the coveted CGMA designation.

At e-Careers, our comprehensive CIMA Strategic Level course training will provide you with all the support you need for this level.

How long does it take to study Strategic Level CIMA?

Completing the CIMA Strategic Level course depends on various factors, such as the preferred learning style, prior knowledge in the industry, and the amount of time you can dedicate to studying each week. We offer flexibility in the course to allow our students to study at their own pace.

On average, our students typically complete their CIMA Professional Strategic Level training course within 12 months.

How many papers are there in CIMA Strategic Level?

CIMA Professional Strategic Level has three objective tests and a case study exam that you must pass before earning the qualification. Each objective test is computer-based, has a multiple-choice format, and will have an exam duration of 90 minutes. Meanwhile, the case study synoptic exam is also computer-based and will have an exam duration of 3 hours.

What should I do next after I have completed the CIMA Strategic Level?

Upon completing the Strategic Level of CIMA Professional Qualification, you can submit your practical experience for assessment.

The practical experience requirement (PER) is essential to the CIMA Qualification and CIMA's application process. PER further demonstrates your ability to apply all the knowledge and skills gained in the qualification to your professional experience.

CIMA requires at least three years of relevant work experience to determine that you've gained sufficient experience working in a finance role.

Once you've completed the PER application, you'll be awarded the Associate membership and use the designations Associate Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA) and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) in your accounting profession.

Is CIMA qualified as a Chartered Accountant?

After completing the CIMA Professional Qualification, you'll be awarded the designatory letters, ACMA and CGMA, and become a respected Chartered Management Accountant in the finance sector. Chartered Management Accountants specialise in management accounting, where they source financial resources required by their organisation and provide financial information and analysis to support business decision-making.

What jobs can I apply for after my CIMA Strategic Level?

After achieving your CIMA Professional Qualification, you will gain the designatory letters ACMA and CGMA. You can then apply for job roles related to accounting and finance.

Some of these positions include:

Finance Managers

Finance Managers have varying roles depending on the size of the organisation. Their core responsibility, however, is to oversee the company's financial health.

Chartered Management Accountant

A Chartered Management Accountant conducts thorough financial analysis and applies accounting principles to support organisational leaders in decision-making.

Finance Controller

Finance Controllers oversee all aspects of an organisation's financial activities, including budgeting, cash flow management, financial reporting, and internal controls.

Management Consultant

Management Consultants help organisations solve issues, create value, maximise growth and improve business performance by providing objective recommendations and proposals.

Chief Finance Officer

A Chief Finance Officer (CFO) is the highest-ranking financial executive within a company and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of an organisation's finances, including making strategic decisions to improve its financial health.