ACCA or CIMA - how much time do you spend studying at home?

Kulpix

Hi there,

I need to sign up for one of these two qualifications (CIMA or ACCA, with preference to CIMA) even though I am not really very enthusiastic about doing it.

My question is - do you really have to study hard for the exams? If I take 1 exam per semester will 2-months studying in the evenings at home do?
I know it sounds a bit like I am a lazy ignorant but I really do not want to sacrifice my private life for the qualification and would like to know what the minimum effort would be to pass.

Thanks in advance!

Femgem

Hi Kulpix,

With that attitude you shouldn't even bother signing up for the exams.

ACCA and CIMA are incredibly long and difficult - there simply is no easy way to pass them.

You say you "need" to sign up to do them. I suggest you examine your career choice.

Femgem.

Kulpix

Hi Femgem,

Having done Master's Degree in Finance hard studies not everyone must be so enthusiastic about spending another 5 years on doing ACCA or CIMA. Sometimes having ACCA or CIMA diploma is a requirement coming from your employer and you can't help it. I have however decided to go for CIMA and have nothing more to say. Thanks a lot.

Bren1609

Nice one Femgem!

cazzy

Kulpix wrote: »

Hi there,

I need to sign up for one of these two qualifications (CIMA or ACCA, with preference to CIMA) even though I am not really very enthusiastic about doing it.

If you are not enthusiatic dont bother. It takes a lot of committment time and energy and withotu enthusiasm you shouldnt bother.

My question is - do you really have to study hard for the exams?

Yes

If I take 1 exam per semester will 2-months studying in the evenings at home do?

Depends - if you do 1 exam at a time you will be years at it - the curiculum will prob change at least once in that time ! Youd really need to do two at a time and for finals you have to do three together and thats very difficult, time consuming, and takes 100% committment if you are working also.

I know it sounds a bit like I am a lazy ignorant but I really do not want to sacrifice my private life for the qualification and would like to know what the minimum effort would be to pass.

It sounds to me like ACCA or CIMA isn't for you. Why dont you do an introductory finance type course first to see how you get on studying and working. Its very tough.

Thanks in advance![/QUOTE

cailinoBAC

Did you get any exemptions in CIMA? I'm doing ACCA myself. If you've studied finance for 5 years I think you should be fine. Look over the exam questions and you should figure out how much time you need to spend on it. Not everyone is so enthusiastic at the start. I started ACCA only half heartedly, but once you have a few exams done you'll be more fired up. Also if your salary goes up that can help. As long as you balance your study and social life, you should be able to have both until a few weeks before the exams. Good luck, do what you think you need and don't let other people scare you.

The Chessplayer

You should be fine with one subject per semester. Cima is harder than Acca, so go down the Acca route if you fancy easier exams.

In terms of difficulty Cima is hardest, followed by ACA, then Acca and then CPA. That is the general consensus anyway.