A Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) qualification equips members with the skills required to work in a diversity of accountancy roles


CIMA-qualified professionals prefer to be at the coalface of business rather than in the back room crunching numbers, according to Fiona Arnold, student recruitment manager at the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). “The CIMA qualification is oriented to business, information and financial strategic needs and solutions so it holds a strong attraction for both employers and ambitious employees. With 7,000 mem- bers and students in Ireland, typically members go on to senior positions as strategic managers in public and private sectors, and are to be found in all of the main foreign direct investment and lead- ing indigenous companies. “The forward-looking emphasis of the


A flexible approach //


flexible study options to allow individuals tailor their own study programme in line with work-life balance needs


CIMA qualification means members are equipped with business and analytical skills whereby they can cast a strategic financial lens across a business providing innovative, enterprise-based solutions and improved performances. The unique skill set of CIMA-qualified management accountants is therefore seen as a key point of difference, appreciated by employers.” For those with business ambitions out-


side of Ireland, there is the added value of having an internationally recognised qualification, continues Arnold. “With 183,000 members and students in 168


The Institute of Technology Tallaght has been accredited by CIMA as an exam centre for its Certificate in Business Accounting (CBA) qualifica- tion. Pictured are (l–r) Martin Nolan, head of Department of Accountancy & Professional Studies at IT Tallaght; Fiona Arnold, student recruitment manager, CIMA Ireland; and Mark Glynn, CIMA CBA Centre administrator


countries, the qualification opens up glob- al opportunities and facilitates career mobility, an important consideration for anybody with ambitions whether they are working for a multinational, an indige- nous business with export markets or per- haps looking to explore new horizons.” For those interested in pursuing the


CIMA qualification, Arnold advises there are several routes. “From school leaver to third-level to MBA, CIMA offers various study options and exemptions as well as a number of fast-track routes depending on existing professional qualifications or


CIMA provides


competency in another discipline. We recognise that no one solution fits all so in addition to the different entry routes, CIMA provides flexible study options to allow individuals tailor their own study programme in line with work-life balance needs.” There is also a two-year part time MSc


in Strategic Management Accounting available through the Smurfit School, which is closely aligned to the CIMA qual- ification. It provides graduates with a fast-track to completing the professional qualification of Associate of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (ACMA). More recently many of those undertak-


ing CIMA already have a professional qualification, explains Arnold. “We have seen a large increase in engineers and lawyers looking to advance their careers at management level, through the addi- tion of a professional financial qualifica- tion,” she says. For those interested in pursuing CIMA


there are two deadlines in the year for registration for the professional qualifica- tion – 31 January for students who sit exams in May, and 31 July for those intending to sit exams in November. To find out how CIMA can assist your career, and to get more information on the vari- ous study options, tuition providers and supports, check out www.cima.ie.


CIMA is the only accountancy qualification that covers the broader business skills you’ll need for a successful career in management. CIMA is a quality standard that is recognised around the globe. Our students and members work in 168 countries, so it really is your passport to a future in international business.


To find out more, visit www.cima.ie E. dublin@cimaglobal.com


Philip Sancto Finance Executive, Tesco


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