The CIMA qualification is among the top professional courses in finance and accounting that pave the path to becoming a certified investment management analyst.

1. CIMA® is the most distinctive validation of advanced knowledge in the super‐specialized areas of
investment and management accounting. A truly gilt‐edged global qualification, the CIMA® charter
equips professionals with a proven readiness for generating critical financial intelligence that
organizations require to monitor, manage and grow their businesses, investment assets and
portfolios.
THE CIMA CHARTER
®
For extraordinary accounting & finance professionals readying for strategic roles in global organizations.
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 TRACKS
 PROGRAM
 EXAMS
 FEES
Super‐Specialize & Stand Out
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2. You're a professional and not a commodity. Start standing out. Earn CIMA®. It is your most rock
solid proof, you are a super‐specialist accounting professional with a demonstrated potential to
directly impact the value, competitiveness and growth of global corporations. CIMA® is the most
respected validation of your capabilities to generate financial intelligence and insights that fuel
growth of organizations and enhance value for stakeholders across the board. With their expertise
and knowledge in the complex multi‐disciplines of investment & management accounting, CIMA®
charter‐holders assure employer organizations and clients of their versatility and readiness for
improving operational and strategic performance and outcomes.
Earn CIMA® Faster
You can earn your CIMA® charter within six to nine months, if you are already oriented to
accounting, finance and business via other qualifications. You get to register along the Professional
Pathway if you hold a specialist, globally recognized certification or a professional charter in
finance, accountancy, management accountancy, cost accounting, public accounting or company
secretaryship. The Pathway requires taking only one, unified exam, instead of two in the Standard
route, accelerating your CIMA® program journey.
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Find Out if You are Eligible for a CIMA® Pathway
Arrive & Impact
The CIMA® program journey shapes you for strategic roles that directly help top managements
and CXOs of organizations take decisions impacting growth, revenues, competitiveness and firm
value. Designed for professionals having diverse financial and accounting experiences and industry
backgrounds, the CIMA® charter is valid for life, is easy to maintain, and leads to the elite
professional membership of the CIMA Institute. CIMA® is a must‐have qualification for you, if you
hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance or any of the related areas.
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3. Candidate Services List +
For applicants completing their registration after August 20, 2021, candidate
services like exam scheduling and mock exams will commence from December 15,
2021, once the upgraded myCIMA dashboard is commissioned. However, the
latest copies of essential resources like candidate and study guides will be duly
available. Candidates registered before August 20, 2021 will continue receiving
their services and support as they have been.
CIMA At a Glance
®
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Level 1 ‐ US$ 950 ﴾paid at the time of
registration﴿
Level 2 ‐ US$ 850 ﴾paid at the time of
registration﴿
QUICK FACTS STANDARD ROUTE PROFESSIONAL PATHWAY
Registration Anytime during the year Anytime during the year
Candidacy
Bachelor's preferably in accounting/ finance or
related areas
Professional qualification/ certification in
accounting/ finance or related areas
Validity of Qualification
Life‐time; with membership revision through a
refresher program once every 5 years to keep the
qualification in good standing
Life‐time; with membership revision through a
refresher program once every 5 years to keep the
qualification in good standing
CIMA® Exams
2 Exams:
Level 1 Exam: 4 hours and 150 MCQ
questions.
Level 2 Exam*: 4 hours and 150 MCQ
questions
*Candidates have to pass the Level 1 exams
before they can register for the Level 2
1 Exam:
One, Unified Exam of 4 hours carrying 150 MCQ
questions
Total Number of Modules to be
Studied for Exams
20 modules ﴾10 in Level 1 + 10 in Level 2﴿ 13 modules ﴾6 in Level 1 + 7 in Level 2﴿
Maximum Completion Period
Within 3 years, but usually completed in 12‐18
months; self‐planned study
Within 2 years, but usually completed in 6‐9
months; self‐planned study
Fees ﴾US Dollars﴿ US$ 1380 ﴾paid at the time of registration﴿
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4.
The CIMA® Package
The CIMA® fee* includes the charges for all the services and facilities.
QUICK FACTS STANDARD ROUTE PROFESSIONAL PATHWAY
Re‐exams/ Re‐sits for Each Exam No re‐exam fee for up to 2 attempts No re‐exam fee for up to 2 attempts
Mock Exams 4 2
CIMA® Study Guide Yes Yes
CIMA® Maintenance &
Membership Fee
Covered for 5 years Covered for 5 years
CIMA® Membership Card Yes Yes
Digital Designation Badge Yes Yes
Printed Credential‐Certificate Yes Yes
Designation Pin Yes Yes
*Please Note: The fee invoice may include taxes extra as applicable in the country of the applicant. The CIMA® fee does not include
the cost of US$ 380.00 toward shipping of certificate package. Since, the CIMA Institute does not provide any study material, its cost is
not covered in the CIMA® fee. Independent publishers, training companies and content providers may contact CIMA® candidates
separately for study material and exam‐prep training and the CIMA Institute neither regulates them, nor controls their fee, quality or
business or educational practices. In some countries, authorized CIMA® educators offer study material and/ or exam‐prep training on
promotional terms.
I hit upon the idea of doing a management accounting certification while I was in the final semester
of my MBA program, as I wanted to sharpen my fitness for finance roles that lead up to the CFO
position. I chose CIMA® as it looked a qualification that would help me break into global companies.
I was lucky that I could register under the Master’s Pathway. CIMA® is a program that completes
fastest and offers perhaps the highest RoI, I must say!
Hannah Foster CIMA , Financial Accountant, The Adecco group
®
CIMA® Candidacy Tracks

5. The prerequisite for the CIMA® program registration is at least a Bachelor’s degree from an
accredited university preferably in accounting, finance or any related discipline. Higher
specialist qualifications like chartered certifications in finance, accounting and related areas
can accelerate the CIMA® program journey through registration under the CIMA®
Professional pathway that requires taking a single, unified exam.
Standard Route
Choose this track if your most recent/ last qualification is a Bachelor’s degree from a nationally or internationally
recognized/ accredited institution in accounting, finance or business.
Professional Pathway
Choose this swifter CIMA® program track if you hold a professional qualification or certification in finance, accountancy,
management accountancy; company secretaryship, cost accountancy, public accountancy or similar or related areas from a
professional association or a certification body.
In addition: Universities, business schools and specialist finance and accounting schools can write to
us at campus@cima.us.org to explore possibilities of offering uniquely designed CIMA® pathway
programs for students pursuing their undergrad and Master’s degrees in business, finance,
accounting or related areas.
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For Students of CIMA® Educators & Academic Affiliates
As an accounting or finance student, you must not miss the opportunity of starting your career
right and sharp. If you are a student or an alumnus of a CIMA affiliated university or business
schools, or you are registered with an official CIMA® Professional Educator for an accounting
training or exam‐preparation program, you can pursue the CIMA® program with well‐guided
exam‐preparation and study material support, besides enjoying special fee discounts.
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6. For Students of Institutions on the CIMA® Ace List
If you are a student or alumnus of an institution included in the CIMA® list of Ace institutions,
you get to register for the CIMA® charter at a special fee under uniquely faster CIMA® academic
tracks. Premier, nationally and internationally renowned universities and business schools are
recognized as CIMA® Ace institutions under the CIMA® investment & management accounting
advocacy program.
Write to us at campus@cima.us.org to know more.
For Members of Institutions on the CIMA® Accord List
If you are a member of an institution included in the CIMA® list of Accord institutions ﴾including
national and international accounting associations and professional bodies﴿, do not forget to
check the Professional Pathway facility that we have. Your CIMA® program journey can be
accelerated as you take a single, unified exam instead of two, requiring you to study only 13 of
the 20 standard CIMA® modules for exams.
Write to us at campus@cima.us.org to know more.

7. I completed CIMA program within almost six months of graduating with a major in Economics. That
became possible because the CIMA program coverage is very compact and finely sculpted around the
needs of CFOs working in multinational companies, and it has served me very well as the Head of
CIMA Membership
Membership of the CIMA Institute is immediately granted to candidates once they qualify for
the award of the CIMA® charter. The membership, covered in the CIMA® program fee for 5
years includes a number of benefits including a life‐long myCIMA dashboard carrying career
and self‐development resources. The membership card and certificate is included in the CIMA®
credential pack sent to candidates after they have qualified all prescribed conditions for award
of the CIMA® qualification and designation.
®
READ HERE FOR MORE DETAIL
®
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8. +
LEVEL 1
CIMA® Structure & Exams
The standard CIMA® program is composed of two levels. Level 1 is dedicated to foundational aspects
of Investment & Management Accounting. Level 2 is focused on application, practical and decision‐
making aspects of investment & management accounting. Candidates first register for CIMA® Level 1
and after passing the Level 1 exam, they register for and pay fee for CIMA® Level 2 exam.
The Level 1 covers 10 knowledge areas essentially dealing with basics of business, strategy and
economics as well as covering building blocks of investment & management accounting across
themes like risks, costs, financial markets, financial asset pricing, capital budgeting and performance
analysis. Level 2 covers 10 areas cutting across advanced aspects of investment accounting, financial
reporting, currency exposure management; transfer pricing; global taxation and technology
applications in investment & management accounting.
The CIMA® Professional Pathway program requires candidates to study only 13 of the 20 standard
modules and qualify only one, unified Pathway exam. The Professional Pathway program is designed
to carefully exclude the 7 areas that certified accounting professionals have knowledge in already, and
at the same time have enough exposure to be able to prepare for the other 13 areas more
conveniently.
CIMA® exams are online and on‐demand and can be taken anywhere. They can be scheduled right
from the myCIMA candidate dashboard anytime 90 days after the confirmation of registration in the
CIMA® program. In some locations, offline center‐based pen & paper exams are also conducted twice
a year. Candidates from such locations will get detailed information on their myCIMA dashboards.
Standard Route Exam
Candidates must qualify the Standard CIMA Level 1 and Standard CIMA® Level 2 exams.
Level 1 exam is of 4 hours, carries 150 multiple choice questions covering the 10 modules
in CIMA® Level 1. The Level 2 exam is of also of 4 hours, carries 150 multiple choice
questions and covers the 10 modules in CIMA® Level 2. Please expand the boxes below to
read the Standard route exam coverage.
needs of CFOs working in multinational companies, and it has served me very well as the Head of
Finance in an apparel export company.
Mark Francis,
CIMA , ACCA
Chief Financial Officer, Trafigura Group
®
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9. +
LEVEL 2
+
LEVEL 1
+
LEVEL 2
Professional Pathway Exam
Candidates are required to qualify only one, unified Professional Pathway Exam of 4 hours
carrying 150 multiple choice questions. This exam covers 13 knowledge areas – 6 from
Level 1, and 7 from Level 2. Please click the boxes below to read the Professional Pathway
exam coverage.
Read about Exam Study Planning in the CIMA Program Candidate Guide
®
LEARN MORE APPLY NOW
Useful Resources:
 Candidate Guide
 CIMA Body of Knowledge
 CIMA Knowledge Specification Guide
 CIMA Code of Ethics
®
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11. CIMA Exam Preparation
The CIMA Institute provides a detailed and exhaustive CIMA® exam preparation guide, that explains
the right approach for faster assimilation and lists out standard books for each knowledge area.
CIMA® program candidates also get mock exam facility on their myCIMA dashboards, providing them
a good preview and feel of the real CIMA® exam. The CIMA® program structure lends itself to a very
conveniently progressive learning, helping candidates start with refreshing their knowledge on the
building blocks of managerial accounting, and then moving them gradually into more advanced and
practical aspects of investment & management accounting.
The program applicants require to be thorough in foundational aspects of accounting, business,
strategy, valuation, international business and core principles of managerial accounting, as well as in
investment accounting, forex management, international financial reporting, taxation, transfer pricing
and corporate governance. read more
®
CLICK HERE FOR CIMA STUDY PLAN TABLE
®
Validity of CIMA
CIMA® is valid for life and the qualification never expires. Qualification holders simply require to
maintain it well by attending the CIMA® Review Webinar once every 5 years. Attending the Review
®

12. maintain it well by attending the CIMA® Review Webinar once every 5 years. Attending the Review
Webinar helps CIMA® qualification holders catch up with the latest buzz on regulations, trends, best‐
practices and emerging techniques critical for investment & management accountants to know to stay
ahead of the curve in their profession. For the first 5 years after the date of award of CIMA®
qualification, the holders need to take no action, and the charges are covered in the fee paid at the
time of registration. Maintenance fee sixth year onward is covered in the annual membership fee of
US$ 150 every year ﴾or a one‐time US$ 650 for life﴿
CIMA CONTINUATION POLICY CLICK HERE
®
Shifting your career into higher gear? Go for CIMA® now!
The CIMA® qualification adds big to your employability, demonstrating your promise for
excelling in complex roles in global organizations.
Are you a graduating student? Earn CIMA® by the time you graduate!
Connect with your university or institution to explore unique CIMA® tracks for educational
campuses. You can pursue CIMA® studies parallel to the academic coursework and complete it
by the time you graduate.
Member of a Professional Body? Earn CIMA® Sooner!
Your active membership of a national or international accounting body or an association of
accounting professionals may put you on the faster, single‐exam Professional Pathway track!
Have an Accounting Qualification? Earn CIMA Quicker!
Your Accounting certification/ diploma puts you on the CIMA Professional Pathway, pacing up
CIMA program journey through exemptions.
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13. Investment & Management Accounting is a High‐Profile discipline!
Upgrade to CIMA to leverage the global career opportunities arising in investment &
management accounting
®
A Powerful Package!
The one‐time CIMA® program fee covers multiple exam resits; membership and maintenance fee
for several years, and provides multi‐year exclusive subscription to CIMA® publications.
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GET STARTED
The roadmap to earn the CIMA qualification covers five simple steps. Covering these milestones in
sequence will ensure that your entire qualification process is smooth. Feel free to Contact Us for any
further information you may need at any time.
Step 1: Create Account
Step 2: Validation and Registration Confirmation
Step 3: Study Plan Resources
Step 4: Schedule Your Exam
Step 5: Award
®
Schedule Your Exam
Ready to schedule your exam? Find exam dates suiting your convenience if you have registered
before August 20, 2021.

14. before August 20, 2021.
SCHEDULE
Examination Policies
Learn more about the exam policies.
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CIMA® Charter
 Overview
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 Earn CIMA Faster
 Program Fees
 Program Structure
 Study Plan
 Maintaining CIMA®
 Exams
 Membership
®
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