The American Institute of CPAs® (AICPA) and its predecessors have served the public interest for 137 years. The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants® (CIMA) was founded in 1919 and has helped shaped the profession for over a century. In 2017, AICPA & CIMA came together to  forge a powerful international alliance that promotes accounting and finance in every corner of the world.

CIMA is the world’s leading and largest professional body of Management Accountants, with 195,000 members and students operating in 176 countries, working at the heart of business. Unique blend of management accounting, financial accounting and business-focused subjects produces competent and confident CGMAs who can lead their organisations to sustainable success. CIMA is committed to upholding the highest ethical and professional standards of members and students, and to maintaining public confidence in management accountancy

·        Advise managers about the financial implications of projects.

·        Explain the financial consequences of business decisions.

·        Formulate business strategy.

·        Monitor spending and financial control.

·        Conduct internal business audits.

·        Explain the impact of the competitive landscape.

·         Bring a high level of professionalism and integrity to business

The management accounting skillset

CIMA members are qualified to work across an organisation, not just in finance. In addition to strong accounting fundamentals, CIMA teaches strategic business and management skills:

·         Analysis – they analyse information and using it to make business decisions.

·         Strategy – they formulate business strategy to create wealth and shareholder value.

·         Risk – they identify and manage risk.

·         Planning – they apply accounting techniques to plan and budget.

·         Communication – they determine what information management needs and explain the numbers to non-financial managers.

Ethical code

CIMA members and students are required to comply with the CIMA code of ethics and to apply the fundamental principles of CIMA’s ethical code to their working lives. CIMA members are at the heart of business as its conscience, bringing judgment, independence and objectivity in addition to their professional qualification.