CIMA Professional Qualification Package

The CIMA Professional Qualification includes three progressive levels—Operational, Management, and Strategic. Each level builds your business, finance, and leadership capability, with learning structured around CIMA's core pillars: Enterprise, Performance, and Financials. Together, they prepare you to lead financial strategy at the highest level.

Operational Level

The CIMA Operational Level is designed to equip you with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to support short-term decision-making and drive business performance at an operational level.

This module covers the evolving role of the finance function in a digital environment. You'll learn how technology and data are integral to making informed financial decisions that drive business success.

Learning outcome:

• Understand the central role of finance in an organisation
• Learn how to use technology to collect and analyse data
• Explore how the finance function interacts with other departments
• Understand how finance structures and supports organisational objectives

This module delves into financial analysis fundamentals and management accounting techniques to help you analyse financial data and make decisions that improve business operations management. It focuses on costing, budgeting, and risk management in the short term.

Learning outcome:

• Apply cost accounting methods for decision-making
• Learn budgeting and financial control techniques
• Understand how to make short-term commercial decisions
• Use risk management tools for sound decision-making under uncertainty

In this module, you'll gain the expertise to prepare accurate financial statements and ensure compliance with financial reporting standards. It also covers operational accounting and finance principles.

Learning outcome:

• Understand the regulatory environment for financial reporting
• Learn how to prepare financial statements according to standards
• Understand taxation principles and their impact on the organisation
• Learn how to manage cash flow and working capital effectively

Management Level

The CIMA Management Level equips you with the tools to manage performance, control finances, and support strategic planning. Each subject builds on what you've already learned at the Operational Level.

This module focuses on how organisations can use business models and performance tools to meet strategic goals. You'll also explore how performance measurement and financial leadership influence success.

Learning outcome:

• Develop and apply business models to drive value creation
• Manage people's performance to support organisational objectives
• Use project management to implement strategy effectively

This unit gives you the strategic business management skills to manage costs, make capital investment decisions, and assess risk. It helps you evaluate performance across departments and recommend improvements.

Learning outcome:

• Use cost and value management to improve efficiency
• Make investment decisions using relevant financial tools
• Monitor and manage the performance of business units
• Analyse and manage risks tied to financial decision-making

This unit explores complex financial reporting, group accounts, and integrated reporting. It also covers how organisations raise capital and communicate financial performance.

Learning outcome:

• Prepare group financial statements using international standards
• Apply financial reporting principles across complex business structures
• Understand how organisations fund long-term projects
• Analyse and interpret financial statements using integrated reporting

Strategic Level

The Strategic Level helps you develop the skills to implement high-level strategies and manage financial risks effectively.

Strategic Management focuses on the formulation and implementation of effective organisational strategies, which will help you contribute to building and executing business strategies that align with the organisation's vision and goals.

Learning outcomes:

• Understand the foundations of strategic management and the organisational ecosystem
• Analyse strategic options and make informed choices to drive success
• Implement strategies and manage change within an organisation
• Learn about digital strategies and the technologies driving digital transformation

Risk Management develops your ability to identify, assess, and manage enterprise risks. You'll explore advanced risk management techniques and learn to handle strategic and cyber risks to safeguard your organisation's future success.

Learning outcomes:

• Identify and evaluate enterprise risks and understand their sources
• Identify and evaluate enterprise risks and understand their sources
• Analyse, manage, and report strategic and cyber risks to maintain governance
• Learn techniques to mitigate financial risks and secure organisational stability

Financial Strategy teaches you how to formulate strategic financial policies that ensure the organisation's sustainability. You'll explore business valuation concepts and financial risk management and learn how to secure the financial resources needed to support strategic goals.

Learning outcomes:

• Master strategic financial objectives and make informed financial policy decisions
• Understand sources of long-term funds and how to access them efficiently
• Assess and manage financial risks to safeguard financial health
• Learn business valuation techniques and how to report intangible value in integrated reporting

Each level of the CIMA Professional Qualification is designed to be completed within 12 months, depending on your study pace and existing knowledge. You'll have 12 months of course access for these CIMA qualifications, allowing you to balance your learning around work and other commitments.

To achieve the CGMA designation, you'll need to pass all exams at different levels. These assessments test your understanding of each subject and how well you can apply your knowledge in practical business situations.

• E1 – Managing Finance in a Digital World: 90 minutes
• P1 – Management Accounting: 90 minutes
• F1 – Financial Reporting: 90 minutes
• Case study: 3 hours

• E2 Managing Performance – 90 minutes
• P2 Advanced Management Accounting – 90 minutes
• F2 Advanced Financial Reporting – 90 minutes
• Case Study – 3 hours

• E3 Strategic Management – 90 minutes
• P2 Risk Management – 90 minutes
• F2 Financial Strategy – 90 minutes
• Case Study – 3 hours

Each level has three objective tests and one case study exam. The objective tests are multiple-choice and last 90 minutes, while the case study exams last three hours.

The objective tests are available on demand at 5,500 Pearson VUE centres across 178 countries worldwide. The case study exam is offered in four windows throughout the year, giving you flexibility to choose the best time to sit the exam.

The CGMA Competency Framework shapes the structure of the CIMA Professional Qualification. It ensures that every stage of the course builds practical accounting skills across finance, business, and leadership. It also supports your growth from entry-level to professional development and prepares you to make an impact in your workspace from day one.

The framework focuses on five core areas:

• Technical Skills – Financial reporting, accounting standards, and risk management
• Business Skills – Commercial awareness, strategy, and performance analysis
• People Skills – Communication, influence, and collaboration
• Leadership Skills – Direction, decision-making, and managing performance
• Digital Skills – Using data and technology in modern finance functions

The CIMA Professional Qualification has two learning paths that suit your schedule and preferred study style. You can complete the qualification through Self-Tailored Learning or the Finance Leadership Programme (FLP). Both routes lead to the same CGMA designation.

Completing the full CIMA Professional Qualification earns you the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation—an industry-recognised certification in management accounting and strategic finance. Earning the qualification from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants also contributes towards your CPD and industry training, supporting your long-term professional development.

You will gain:

• CIMA Dip MA (CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting), once you complete the Operational Level
• CIMA Adv Dip MA once you complete the Management Level
• Charted Global Management Accountant (CGMA) once you complete the Strategic Level
• Professional recognition as proof that your expertise aligns with the global management accounting standards
• Recognition from employers worldwide across all sectors
• Career progression opportunities in senior leadership, consultancy, and strategic finance roles

The CIMA Professional Qualification provides more than technical knowledge; it helps you stand out to employers and unlock new opportunities in finance, strategy, and leadership.

Here's how this qualification supports your career growth:

• Open doors to senior and strategic roles in finance and business
• Increase your earning potential with in-demand expertise
• Gain recognition from global employers across industries
• Build leadership skills valued in modern finance teams
• Access professional development opportunities that support lifelong career growth
• Align your skillset with global management accounting standards

While many providers offer online and classroom delivery, our CIMA Professional Qualification is 100% online, giving you maximum flexibility to study wherever and whenever suits you best. You'll get full access to structured learning materials, tutor-led sessions, practice exams, and printed textbooks—all designed to support your success at every level.

Your Professional Qualification Package includes CIMA training and exam preparation support to stay focused, guided, and exam-ready throughout your studies. From expert tutors to engaging materials, we ensure you have the right tools at every CIMA level.

When you enrol in the course, you'll receive:

• Comprehensive eLearning platform: Log in anytime to access your full course content, structured learning paths, and progress tracking—all in one place.
• Expert tutor support: Reach out to expert tutors whenever you need help. You'll usually hear back within 24 to 48 hours.
• Interactive course content: Study with clear, interactive resources including animated lessons, explainer videos, and step-by-step visual guides.
• Exam preparation tools: Build exam confidence with mock tests, revision kits, question banks, and easy-to-follow exam tips
• Flexible learning schedule: Learn on your schedule with 12 months of access per level and no fixed deadlines.
• CIMA-accredited textbooks: Get official CIMA textbooks delivered to your door for offline learning and reviewing key topics.

• 0% Finance available – Spread the cost with flexible plans
• Price-match guarantee.
• Choose a plan that suits your budget and start immediately.

Note: The exam is available via the awarding body and can be taken at one of 5,500 Pearson VUE centres across 178 countries worldwide.