The CIMA Thread

kilburn · 16-09-2011 2:15pm #1

Hi folks, well as we can all see the same questions keep popping up in various new threads asking similar question about accountancy as a career, entry points, job prospects, exemptions, study guides, CPD and texts just to name a few.

So this thread is hopefully going to be the one stop CIMA answer shop. A place for all CIMA students, Qualified Management Accountants and potential students to discuss their thoughts and have their questions answered.

So please participate !

zootroid · 20-09-2011 8:28am

Good idea. Every now and again I visit this forum just to look for CIMA threads, it seems ACCA is the more popular choice and so has more threads on it.

Anyone sitting exams in November? I'm sitting P3 again, not my favourite subject it has to be said

daheff · 20-09-2011 9:45am

Finished Topcima in march - have my PER signed off and now just waiting on CIMA to review/ approve.

also if anybody needs any books...PM and i'll see if i have any lying around

for those doing TOPCIMA, I found this (http://case.accountancystudy.co.uk/)forum extremely helpful

**Mods if any of this is deemed inappropriate please feel free to remove.

Shannonsider · 20-09-2011 9:21pm

Any CIMA qualified's on here who are members in practice? Or any CIMA qualified's who do business consultancy or book keeping on the side?

Havent a Saloman Kalou · 20-09-2011 9:39pm

Hi guys,

Im a 35 year old builder and thinking of a career change. I already have a degree in construction mgnt and was thinking of doing the CIMA exams. I think its time for a career change and this looks like one of my main options. Any thoughts or opinions or well any help.
How hard is it? i know ,how long is a piece of string?
What stage do you have to get experience?
Whats the money like to start off?

Thanks

julianne2009 · 20-09-2011 10:35pm

Hi there,
I'm thinking of starting to study for the CIMA qualification & would appreciate any advice.
I think I qualify for exemptions in all certificate exams due to my Degree (UCC BComm & French) and also for F1. I was thinking of studying E1 & P1 in 2012. I'm located in Cork & can't seem to find any courses.
Would it be a good idea to learn by distance with BPP? Also how long does it take to study for each subject and when are exams held?

Thanks a mill!

kilburn · 04-10-2011 5:25pm

Hi exams are held in May and November. How long it would take to study for them is really down to what you want to get out of the exams, just pass or do well.

Does your construction management degree get you any exemptions? I had exemptions but decided to do the certificate anyway to refresh my exams, you can take these by computer every month.

Havent a Saloman Kalou · 10-10-2011 5:38pm

Thanks for the reply Kilburn, i was starting to give up on this thread.

I don't get any exemptions but don't want them really. I'm not afraid of the work i have to put in. The only issue i have now is why CIMA. Is it looked down in compared to aca etc.

Going to start next week with the online study packs, starting with the maths as its my best subject.

kilburn · 10-10-2011 6:24pm

CIMA qualification is very highly thought of in industry so if that is where you want to work, it is fine. Anyway all the professional qualifications are pretty much similar with a few differences.

Take one subject a month if you can, try to do a computer based exam every month and have all five certificates exams done by the end of january so you can sit professional exams in may

kilburn · 22-11-2011 7:25pm

Anyone got any books for sale?

jamescork · 24-11-2011 8:53pm

did any one do exams this wk? did p1 and e1. found them ok...i think

exd · 27-11-2011 7:39pm

I've got some books for sale for the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting:Brand New (never taken out of box).

C03 Fundamentals of Business Mathematics
C04 Fundamentals of Business Economics
Plus the exam practice kits & revision cards for each module.

Price: €80

grange mac · 27-11-2011 9:47pm

Hi Lads,

I'm doing top cima (again as last wk just didnt work out for me), am sure could root my strategic level books if any of ye needed them for a nominal fee!!:D

Havent a Saloman Kalou · 29-11-2011 11:24pm

Ill give you €50 for them exd . Are you in Dublin by any chance

kilburn · 21-12-2011 6:17pm

CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting Pack for sale

C05 Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law
Text book, Exam practice kit and revision cards. Valued at 68 euro will sell for 40 only 3 weeks old.

eire2009 · 23-12-2011 3:27pm

I can provide most easily, pm me and ill have them to you in a jiffy notes included it will make you

julyjane · 30-12-2011 1:45pm

Has anyone had their PER assessed recently or currently going through it? I have passed all strategic exams and I have no notion of doing Topcima until I know my PER is approved. AFAIK if I pass the exam I have to have the PER done within 4 years. I have years experience doing the basic work, it is only now that I am working in a management accounting role that will meet the conditions of the "core" part of the practical experience.

I read through how to do it on CIMAs website but I am still unsure where to start. It says you need a proposer and a seconder, do these have to be employers who can certify that you did what you did in work or can they be any CIMA members? My 2 previous bosses were ACA and CPA. Where I work now my immediate manager is ACCA.

I am also only on a 6 month contract now so should I be getting my boss to certify my experience before I leave, and should I go back to my previous employer (from years ago as I've been unemployed for a while) to get them to do the same?

grange mac · 30-12-2011 8:01pm

Hi I sat top cima in nov & failed but goin to start at it again when pre seen comes out in two weeks. Out of the class in dublin BPP OF 30, 4 had done it, all 4 passed it. they done it though interview wheich happens once a year in dublin.

julyjane · 03-01-2012 9:18pm

Thanks, that's good to know they all passed the interview. However I'm fairly sure I have nowhere near the required experience so what I want to know is should I be keeping a detailed diary now of everything I'm doing in work every day, and should I write up a career profile of a job I've done in the past and get my previous boss to sign off on it, or should I wait til I'm ready to submit it, it will be 2-3 years at least I'd imagine before I have my PER done but I'd like to know I'm on the right track. I read through the discussion boards on the cimasphere website and someone posted a link to templates for career profiles but the link was old and no longer available

BenEadir · 09-01-2012 3:20pm

Hi all,

I'm ACMA 20 years but never got round to applying for FCMA even though I have tons of experience.

Applying for FCMA is one of my "To-Do's" for 2012 but with CIMA and AICPA launching the Global Chartered Management Accountant Credential (CGMA) on Jan 31st (see www.cgma.com) which all existing ACMA and FCMA's can use is it worth applying for FCMA at all?

I spoke to a CIMA employee recently and they told me that CGMA will effectively replace the ACMA and FCMA credentials. If this is true is there much point applying for FCMA now?

Thoughts anyone?

Ben

BenEadir · 11-01-2012 7:53pm

^^^ This is an active thread :rolleyes:

Richard571 · 11-01-2012 8:02pm

julyjane wrote: »

I read through how to do it on CIMAs website but I am still unsure where to start. It says you need a proposer and a seconder, do these have to be employers who can certify that you did what you did in work or can they be any CIMA members?

Proposer and seconder do not need to be cima members or indeed accountants. They should be your manager or supervisor and have direct exposure to your work.

kilburn · 11-01-2012 8:06pm

BenThere wrote: »

^^^ This is an active thread :rolleyes:

Its a new thread have patience, it will build up over time.

The idea behind it is to keep as much information on the CIMA qualification as possible in the one thread rather that having loads of different threads. Tell you CIMA buddies about it

Richard571 · 11-01-2012 8:26pm

BenThere wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm ACMA 20 years but never got round to applying for FCMA even though I have tons of experience.

Applying for FCMA is one of my "To-Do's" for 2012 but with CIMA and AICPA launching the Global Chartered Management Accountant Credential (CGMA) on Jan 31st (see www.cgma.com) which all existing ACMA and FCMA's can use is it worth applying for FCMA at all?

I spoke to a CIMA employee recently and they told me that CGMA will effectively replace the ACMA and FCMA credentials. If this is true is there much point applying for FCMA now?

Thoughts anyone?

Ben

My thoughts are that the CGMA designation will be of greatest benefit if working - or planning to work - in the US. CIMA would not have great exposure over the pond, so FCMA designation would be of limited value. However in UK & Ireland where CIMA has a significant profile CGMA would not add value but FCMA would stll be seen as having added benefit.

This I believe is reflected in the fact that all ACMA can gain CGMA designation with no additional effort but FCMA requires additional application and importantly exposure to strategic decision making.

BenEadir · 12-01-2012 11:38am

Well thought through response Richard, thanks.

I agree with your conclusion BTW. CGMA = nice to have if working internationally, particularly in the US. FCMA adds a 'senior' string to your bow if you're going to be operating here or in the UK.

Cheers,

Ben

endabob1 · 16-01-2012 12:02pm

I've been acma for 10 years but I've done very little about maintaining my cpd. How important really is it to keep it up to date considering I have little interest in getting the fcma letters?

zootroid · 16-01-2012 9:46pm

Has anyone sat TOPCIMA by PC? If so, how did you find it compared to the pen and paper of a normal exam?

Trying to decide at the moment whether to sit the exam by PC or written, will sit it in May in any case

Richard571 · 16-01-2012 9:54pm

endabob1 wrote: »

I've been acma for 10 years but I've done very little about maintaining my cpd. How important really is it to keep it up to date considering I have little interest in getting the fcma letters?

Main issue is if your picked up in "random" audit of members, you are asked to submit evidence of cpd hours - never known of anyone who has had this and in reality if this happens I think you are given 12 months to get up to speed - in short, not very important to maintain credentials unless very unlucky. However theory and practise can move on quickly in some areas of accounting so no harm in keeping abreast of things....

grange mac · 17-01-2012 8:01pm

Sat it on pc, recon would be bout 5% better off if your writing is poor, like my case. Abour 2/3 class done it on pc which starts on saturday:eek:

20-01-2012 1:10pm

Do it on PC if possible.

It is much tidier assuming you can touch type.

masalbeagdubh · 23-01-2012 2:28pm

I am thinking of doing the CIMA qualification as I have finished the Accounting Technician course. Is the content on the course much more detailed than the IATI course as I`m afraid I wouldn`t be able to give enough time to the study even doing one exam at a time. I would love to get some sort of accounting degree eventually but am afraid I may not be able to complete the full CIMA qualification as well as work fulltime etc. Any advice?

julyjane · 24-01-2012 8:48pm

Honestly there's a lot of work involved, and I got a lot of exemptions from my degree. Sometimes I wonder if I restricted myself too much by choosing CIMA rather than ACCA/CPA etc. but I like management accounting more than regular accounting. For a long time I found it hard to break into, the classic "can't get a job without experience, can't get experience without a job" but now that I'm working in management accounting, I love every day of it so it is worth it IMO

alan_b · 26-01-2012 5:03pm

Hi exd/kilburn, still got those books to sell?!

Looking for the most recent (2011) cima certificate course material and exam practice kits for all five subjects, if anyone has any to sell please let me know?

Based in Dublin.

Thanks.

CuriousGeorge10 · 03-02-2012 12:54am

Hey everyone,

I've just started with cima 2 weeks ago, i've got my exemptions from C01-C05,P1,P2 and F1 so i'm thinking of sitting E1,E2 and F2 to try and get straight into the final exams next November. Could anyone give me any advice on what online website I should study with online? Also, is anyone selling any study materials for E1,E2 or F2?

alan_b · 07-02-2012 12:21pm

exd wrote: »

I've got some books for sale for the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting:Brand New (never taken out of box).

C03 Fundamentals of Business Mathematics
C04 Fundamentals of Business Economics
Plus the exam practice kits & revision cards for each module.

Price: €80

Hi there,are these books still for sale by any chance?! Would like to do a deal if they are..thanks,alan.

ledhi · 09-02-2012 9:46pm

hi George.

I have E1 & F2 books & study material. I just finished with them in November

kilburn · 19-02-2012 1:58pm

Just a reminder to anyone doing the Cert in Business Accounting that if you want to sit professional qualifiaction exams in May, you must have your exams completed by the 1st March

macattack1987 · 23-02-2012 1:04am

Hi there, i'm thinking of doing the CIMA qualification. My background is in economics and I have a masters in business management from UCD. Course modules include; economics, accounting, strategic management, operations and supply chain, corporate finance, HR management and organisational behaviour. Do you think i will get many exemptions?

any response would be greatly appreciated!

kilburn · 23-02-2012 2:48pm

Log on to the CIMA website and enter your course in the exemption section and it will tell you.

paddylast · 24-02-2012 1:00am

hi Kilburn

Im in trasnfer agency in the IFSC. work will pay for either CIMA or ACCA.
I have asked around work -more people doing ACCA exams but wanted to ask would a CIMA subjects/qualification be more mgt/business orientated?

I dont get any exemptions from CIMA but am exempt from F1-3, F5 & F9 for ACCA.

Is there any shops that sell CIMA books i could look through to get an idea how hard it work be or amount of workload?

kilburn · 27-02-2012 10:28pm

Hi Paddy, It really depends where you see yourself going and what hopes you have for your career. If you want to be in accounting or more business focused un my opinion CIMA is ideal for the latter. You learn how to do the fundamentals but then you have to show that you understand it and can apply it in analysis situations although I am sure the other professional qualifications have similar.
You are exempt from the certificate i presume C01-C05?

Anyone got E1, P1 or F1 for sale?

jeremyfisher · 28-02-2012 1:02pm

When you get to TOPCIMA, there's a really good support website here:

TOPCIMA

This is worth checking out before deciding what books etc you'll need for TOPCIMA as it's such a different type of paper.

kilburn · 05-03-2012 8:44pm

How many people here are sitting exams in May?
What level?
Maybe try to organise a few study groups?

kilburn · 05-05-2012 7:23pm

How are we all fixed for the exams?
I have to get stuck in, is anyone doing the revision seminars in Belfast?

zootroid · 22-05-2012 8:56am

Good luck to all doing exams this week. Hopefully my exam on Thursday will be the last one I ever do!

brianmul189 · 23-05-2012 10:21pm

zootroid wrote: »

Good luck to all doing exams this week. Hopefully my exam on Thursday will be the last one I ever do!

Best of luck man!

Let us know how you get on.

statss · 27-06-2012 11:42am

Hi guys

I thought I’d up this thread rather than starting a new one. I’ve recently registered as a student and I am ready to get stuck into the papers. I’ve enjoyed reading the student profiles on the CIMA website, so I thought it would be interesting if people here shared their backgrounds. Some questions which come to mind are below - If anyone else has other questions they’ like to add let me know and I’ll edit the original post to include them

Questions

What stage of your CIMA studies are you at currently?
If finished, how long did it take you?
What method of study did you go with? Tuition, homestudy?
What line of work are you in?
Has CIMA helped you progress in your career? New role? Promotion?

zootroid · 27-06-2012 8:07pm

statss wrote: »

Hi guys

I thought I’d up this thread rather than starting a new one. I’ve recently registered as a student and I am ready to get stuck into the papers. I’ve enjoyed reading the student profiles on the CIMA website, so I thought it would be interesting if people here shared their backgrounds. Some questions which come to mind are below - If anyone else has other questions they’ like to add let me know and I’ll edit the original post to include them

Questions

What stage of your CIMA studies are you at currently?
If finished, how long did it take you?
What method of study did you go with? Tuition, homestudy?
What line of work are you in?
Has CIMA helped you progress in your career? New role? Promotion?

Good idea.

My own story:

statss wrote: »

What stage of your CIMA studies are you at currently?

Have just finished, sat TOPCIMA in May (T4 part b), got my result a couple of weeks ago and passed

statss wrote: »

If finished, how long did it take you?

Started the certificate in September '06, then the CIMA exams proper in May '07. Took a break from May '08 until May '10 though as I went travelling.

statss wrote: »

What method of study did you go with? Tuition, homestudy?

Started off with homestudy, but hated it. Found it difficult to read something, understand it, and learn it while maintaining interest at the same time. Quickly learned that tuition was the way to go

statss wrote: »

What line of work are you in?

Have spent most of my time working for a large FMCG, but have also spent short periods of time working for other companies on short term contracts (ranging from 3 months to 9 months). Currently working for a software engineering company, probably the most enjoyable job so far.

statss wrote: »

Has CIMA helped you progress in your career? New role? Promotion?

Not really as I haven't spent long enough working in a company to be promoted, and gaining promotion whilst not being qualified would be difficult anyway. Most of the accountants I deal with in my organisation are CIMA though, and my boss has since told me his preference was to higher a CIMA accountant when they were recruiting. So maybe from that point of view it was more beneficial to me than had I chosen another qualification.

mr_edge_to_you · 04-07-2012 10:04pm

Currently waiting impatiently on my membership application! Applied over 2 weeks ago and it was verified within 3 days.

To any students out there submit your practical experience for assessment as soon as you can.

It's awful waiting for the final email when you have all the exams done!

mr_edge_to_you · 12-07-2012 9:32pm

I'm a CIMA member now. Woooohooo!

kilburn · 14-07-2012 4:09pm

Passed my exams too

The CIMA Thread

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