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Welcome to CIMA
Welcome to the CIMA Certicate in Business Accounting www.cimaglobal.com/certicate This welcome pack provides every new CIMA student with an overview of the qualication and the support available to help you make your rst step on your journey towards the CIMA Professional Qualication.
Contents
The CIMA Certicate in Business Accounting Study methods Study support from CIMA Resources by paper Planning your studies Your rst CIMA exam Be part of CIMAs interactive network CGMA the new global designation Questions and answers 2 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Part A
Part B
Enterprise pillar
Performance pillar
Financial pillar
Strategic level
B A E A E B D C D B B C
20% A Conceptual and regulatory framework 20% E paper Decision making 15% This takes candidates through conceptual and regulatory frameworks, accounting systems, B Accounting systems 20% controls for accounting systems. preparing accounting statements for single entities, and the necessary
C A D B
Preparation of accounts for single entities Conceptual and regulatory framework Control of accounting systems Accounting systems
45% 20% 15% 20% 45% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 10% 15% 15% 25% 10%
D A D B
C C
C Preparation of accounts for single entities D Control of accounting systems A Basic mathematics B Probability C A D B E C F D G E Summarising and analysing data Basic mathematics Relationships between variables Probability Forecasting Summarising and analysing data Financial mathematics Relationships between variables Spreadsheets Forecasting
A G A G
C D
FB E C D F E
F Financial mathematics A The macroeconomic context of organisations G Spreadsheets B The goals and decisions of organisations C A D B
25% The CIMA Certicate in Business Accounting A qualication B 25% 25% 25% 25%
The market system and the competitive process The macroeconomic context of organisations The nancial system The goals and decisions of organisations
D A
C B
D Accounting control systems B Cost identication and behaviour E Decision making C Planning within organisations
20% 25% 15% 30% 10% 20% 25% 20% 15% 30% 20% 20% 45% 20% 15% 15% 20%
E A E A A E D A
B D C D B B C D BC
A context of management D The Accounting control systems accounting B identication and behaviour A Cost Conceptual and regulatory framework E Decision making C within organisations B Planning Accounting systems D systems C Accounting Preparationcontrol of accounts for single entities A Conceptual and regulatory framework ED Decision Control making of accounting systems B Accounting systems of Business Mathematics Paper C03 Fundamentals
C paper Preparation of accounts for single entities 45% This introduces students to basic mathematics, probability, summarising and analysing data, variables, forecasting, nancial mathematics and spreadsheets ie business applications D of mathematics. A and regulatory framework 20% C D Conceptual Control of accounting systems 15% B systems A Accounting Basic mathematics C B Preparation Probability of accounts for single entities D of accounting systems C Control Summarising and analysing data A Basic mathematics D Relationships between variables B Probability 20% 15% 45% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15% 15%
A D A
B CC
D G B E Forecasting 15% C C Summarising and analysing data 15% A F E F Basic Financial mathematics 15% A mathematics 15% D Relationships between variables 15% D G G Probability Spreadsheets 10% B 15% E Forecasting 15% FB E C C Summarising and analysing data 15% F Financial mathematics 15% A Paper C04 Fundamentals of Business Economics D Relationships between variables 15% G Spreadsheets 10% A paper The macroeconomic context organisations 25% system and the competitive D This covers the goals and of decisions of organisations, the market G E Forecasting 15% process, the nancial system and the macroeconomic context of business. B The goals and decisions of organisations 25% F EB A
F Financial mathematics C The market system and the competitive process A The macroeconomic context of organisations G Spreadsheets D The nancial system B The goals and decisions of organisations C The market system and the competitive process A D The Themacroeconomic nancial systemcontext of organisations B goals and decisions of organisations A The Ethics and business C market system and the competitive process B The Ethical conict D nancial system C The Corporate governance A Ethics and business 15% 25% 25% 10% 25% 25% 25% 25% 25% 25% 15% 25% 10% 25% 10% 15%
D A D A
C B C B
DB C C D This paper covers ethics and business, ethical conict, corporate governance, comparison of English A
Paper C05 Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law
D with Comparison of English law with alternative legal systems 10% law alternative and company B Ethical conict legal systems, the law of contract, the law of employment, 10% administration and nance. B C E The law of contract C Corporate governance 20% 10% F Ethics The law ofbusiness employment A and D Comparison of English law with alternative legal systems G Ethical Company administration and nance B conict E The law of contract C F Corporate The law ofgovernance employment D of English lawand with alternative legal systems G Comparison Company administration nance E The law of contract F The law of employment G Company administration and nance 10% 15% 10% 25% 10% 20% 10% 10% 10% 25% 20% 10% 25%
G A
E F D E D E
G B C F
Example from C01 Fundamentals of Management Accounting syllabus Component learning outcome Explain the importance of cost control and planning within organisations. The verb explain is level 2 in the learning objective hierarchy. An assessment question based on this component learning outcome could use one of the verbs from level 2 (comprehension) or from the lower level 1 (knowledge) but a higher level verb will not be used to test this component learning outcome.
Assessment strategy
All exams under the 2011 certicate syllabus are computer based and can be taken at one of our accredited computer based assessment (CBA) centres worldwide. Find your nearest CBA centre by visiting www.cimaglobal.com/cba You may take the ve subject assessments in any order and in any combination. You can study the subjects sequentially or concurrently, in any combination to suit you. As these are computer based assessments, you can sit the assessments at any time of the year at any CIMA approved assessment centre. The pass mark is 50% and you will receive a permanent credit for any subject in which you score 50% or more. Once you complete the ve subject assessments, you will be awarded the CIMA Certicate in Business Accounting qualication. Relevant mathematical tables and formulae will be provided for use during assessment. They are also available on the CIMA website www.cimaglobal.com/certicate
Study weightings
Within each subject, a percentage weighting is shown against each section topic. This can be used as guidance on the: proportion of study time required by each topic approximate proportional distribution of marks across section topics. Its essential you study all topics in the syllabus, since any single assessment question may examine more than one component learning outcome.
Study routes
Its possible to complete the qualication in 12-18 months. The syllabus is very exible and you can decide on the number of assessments you take and the sequence in which you take them. You can choose any combination of assessments to suit your own study requirements. For example, you could choose to study and sit assessments for two subjects every six months, as shown below.
Paper C02 Fundamentals of Financial Accounting Paper C05 Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law First six month period
Study methods
The CIMA Certicate in Business Accounting qualication can be studied for in a variety of ways. Its recommended you organise your studies around component learning outcomes and not on topics or indicative syllabus content. This is because CIMA examines learning outcomes and not topics. In the assessment, the question requirement is simply a component learning outcome with a very short scenario or some data, for you to demonstrate your knowledge/comprehension or to apply your knowledge and understanding.
Blended learning
Blended learning offers the effectiveness of face-to-face tuition together with the exibility of distance learning. An example of this would be a distance learning course followed by a taught revision course. If you would like to choose when and where you study but would also benet from some tutor support, then blended learning may be the option for you. To nd CIMA Learning colleges that offer distance learning courses, see CIMAs college list at www.cimaglobal.com/colleges
Taught course
You can follow a taught course with one of the many colleges globally which teach CIMA. The CIMA Learning college list at www.cimaglobal.com/colleges will show you a list of colleges in your area which provide tuition for the CIMA qualication in varying degrees, whether it is tutor support when studying at home or full taught classes which are either full/part-time, evening/weekend or block basis. Please note, not all providers listed will offer every option. For information on fees, please contact the tuition provider you wish to study with. Quality Partner colleges have been assessed by CIMA under the CIMA Learning scheme, and have provided evidence they can meet all of our performance requirements. Where possible, we recommend that all students attend tuition in a Quality Partner college. Colleges which are unable to meet the criteria for Quality Partner but have committed to our delivery guidelines will be listed on our college list. At this level we have not formally assessed the quality of tuition provided by these colleges, so we strongly advise you to carry out your own research before attending a course. CIMA Learning is the scheme in place to assess and accredit tuition providers, and it does not currently extend to online only course providers.
Financial Management
You will regularly receive CIMAs Financial Management magazine. This contains an informative mix of features, news and practical advice. Look out for the technical articles and exam notices in the study notes section.
Velocity
Velocity is our global e-magazine for all CIMA students, which is sent out every two months. It contains news, technical articles, case studies, study and career advice and exam notices.
CIMAsphere
CIMAsphere is our online community. It features a range of forums, groups, blogs, videos and live events, providing a platform for you to ask questions, share information, give advice and nd expertise and support among peers. You can obtain advice from study support and learning specialists. You can also contact each other through the CIMAsphere web messaging service, organise events and nd study buddies: http://community.cimaglobal.com
Resources by paper
Weve produced a collection of resources for each paper, which can be accessed from the syllabus website www.cimaglobal.com/certicate These include exam questions, study guides, useful articles, reading lists and mathematical tables. Fundamentals of Management Accounting (C01) www.cimaglobal.com/C01 Fundamentals of Financial Accounting (C02) www.cimaglobal.com/C02 Fundamentals of Business Mathematics (C03) www.cimaglobal.com/C03 Fundamentals of Business Economics (C04) www.cimaglobal.com/C04 Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law (C05) www.cimaglobal.com/C05
10
Arrange to sit with a centre. You do not enter for exams directly with CIMA
You can sit assessments at any time of the year. Each centre decides when they offer assessments. Speak directly to them to arrange a date and time.
Calculators
You can use electronic calculators and scientic calculators, including those with basic programming functions or with standard memory functions (including solar-powered calculators) are acceptable. You should refer to your calculator manufacturers handbook for full details on the functionality of your calculator.
11
12
13
14
Q: How do I apply for a visa? A: We are not involved in visa applications. You need to contact the UK Border Agency for further information regarding visas. Q: How do I get a job within management accounting? How easy is it to get a job? A: You can visit CIMA My Jobs to nd out about job offers in your area and sector. This service also allows you to search for a graduate scheme. The careers advice section contains a wealth of information for students and members looking to nd a job as a management accountant. You can also use our employer database to nd out if your employer or prospective employer is registered with CIMA Training. Q: How do I get practical experience if I am not working within management accounting? A: You do not necessarily need to be working within management accounting to gain relevant work experience. CIMA students and members have a wide range of jobs available to them, not all of which are within nance or accountancy. Download the practical experience requirements brochure from www.cimaglobal.com/per which will help you to determine whether your current job position allows you to gain the required basic, core and supplementary skills. Q: Can I call myself CIMA part-qualied? A: No. Full completion of the CIMA qualication, including the practical experience requirement, is broadly equivalent to a Masters degree and has post-graduate status in the UK. Membership (ACMA, CGMA) is awarded when the full qualication, including the nal test of professional competence, parts A and B have been successfully completed. CIMA does not use the term part-qualied. However, your progress through the examinations is rewarded at various stages, with the award of the CIMA Certicate of Business Accounting after successful completion of the ve certicate level papers, the CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting on completion of all three operational level papers and the CIMA Advanced Diploma on completion of all six operational and management level papers. These intermediate awards are a useful way of describing your progress and current skills and knowledge to employers. Q: Ive just completed my CIMA Certicate in Business Accounting. When can I sit my professional level examinations? A: If you want to sit the professional level examinations, you must have been awarded exemptions from, or have passed the certicate level papers, by 1 March for May professional examinations or 1 September for November examinations. It can take up to 20 working days to award exemptions during January/February and July/August peak periods.
15
16
97,156+
52,680
36,824
28,732
30,836
Operational
Management
Strategic T4
+15,856
+44,476
+5,988
+2,732
+2,104
12 months.
12 months.
12 months.
*These gures are based on a UK Salary Survey Q: How do I contact CIMA? A: Our call centre, CIMA Contact, is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm GMT Monday to Friday. T. +44 (0)20 8849 2251 E. cima.contact@cimaglobal.com Our postal address is: CIMA, 26 Chapter Street, London SW1P 4NP, United Kingdom If you live in Australia, Malaysia, China, India, Hong Kong, the Republic of Ireland, Singapore, Sri Lanka or Southern Africa, please contact your local ofce. Details of these can be found at www.cimaglobal.com/Our-locations
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants 26 Chapter Street London SW1P 4NP United Kingdom T. +44 (0)20 8849 2251 F. +44 (0)20 8849 2250 E. cima.contact@cimaglobal.com www.cimaglobal.com