The CIMA Difference Summarised

The CIMA Difference Summarised

Management Accountants (CIMA)

Trained in industry and commerce at ground level from the outset.

Areas of expertise -

Applied Management Accounting Techniques.
Business process analysis and improvement.
Project and change management.
Internal financial control.
Business risk management.

Practice Accountants (ICAEW & ACCA)

Trained in professional practices in cities.

Areas of expertise -

Taxation planning
Stock exchange regulation and reporting
Insolvency
Financial accounting and reporting for statutory audits
Forensic accounting
Corporate Finance

CIMA is the only institute whose syllabus and examinations focus entirely on the training of accountants in business. This enables them to become familiar with ground level processes, problems and politics. Other institutes cover auditing, insolvency, tax planning and corporate finance. CIMA doesn't try to compete in these areas of specialist knowledge.

It devotes its syllabus entirely to profitable business management, including non financial and management skills as well as financial management, enabling its members to contribute within the business rather than advise it from outside.

CIMA's focus is on mapping future successes rather than recording of past performance.

Students train in industry from day 1 and generally know what it's like to work from the bottom upwards, gaining an understanding of the whole business management process.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) based on gaining knowledge in areas of relevance to individual and business development needs rather than set hours of keeping up to date on compliance issues.

If you haven't already been there, "What are Applied Management Accounting Techniques?"