CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting

Is the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting course suitable for me? 

CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting offers a route into professional accounting for those with little or no experience. As there are no prerequisites for this course, anyone looking to embark on a career in Accounting, or looking for a career change can enrol.

If you are looking to work towards chartered account status, becoming fully qualified, our CIMA Professional Package would suit your career goals. 

Not sure if CIMA is the route for you? Read our Interview with a CIMA graduate, to see if CIMA suits your own career goals. 

What jobs can I apply for after my CIMA Qualification?

One of the most important factors of business success is sound financial management, and as such, CIMA graduates add value to any organisation around the world.

At the Certificate level, you will be able to apply for job roles in Management Accounting and Business Finance. While your starting salary will be around £25k-£32k, once you have taken your CIMA Professional Qualifications, you can realistically double your salary.

Typical job roles include:

•    Accounts Assistant - £20k
•    Sales Ledger Clerk - £22k

(Source: Payscale)

Once you have successfully completed the BA1, BA2, BA3 and BA4 exams, you will gain the designatory letters CIMA Cert BA.

CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting Syllabus

Fundamentals of Business Economics (BA1)

•    A. Macroeconomic and Institutional Context of Business (25%).
•    B. Microeconomic and Organisational Context of Business (30%).
•    C. Informational Context of Business (20%).
•    D. Financial Context of Business (25%).

Fundamentals of Management Accounting (BA2)

•    A. The Context of Management Accounting (10%).
•    B. Costing (25%).
•    C. Planning and Control (30%).
•    D. Decision Making (35%).

Fundamentals of Financial Accounting (BA3)

•    A. Accounting Principles, Concepts and Regulations (10%).
•    B. Recording Accounting Transactions (50%).
•    C. Preparation of Accounts for Single Entities (30%).
•    D. Analysis of Financial Statements (10%).

Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law (BA4)

•    A. Business Ethics and Ethical Conflict (30%).
•    B. Corporate Governance, Controls and Corporate Social Responsibility (45%).
•    C. General Principles of the Legal System, Contract and Employment Law (15%).
•    D. Company Administration (10%).

CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting Exam Details

The CIMA exams for the Certificate in Business Accounting can be taken at any one of the 5,000 Pearson Vue Test Centre’s, across 178 countries around the world. Upon completion of your exam you will immediately receive a provisional pass or fail grade.

•    BA1 – 60 multiple-choice questions, 2 hours.
•    BA2 – 60 multiple-choice questions, 2 hours.
•    BA3 – 60 multiple-choice questions, 2 hours.
•    BA4 – 85 multiple-choice questions, 2 hours. 

There are CIMA exemptions for those who have accounting experience, completed AAT level 4 or who have already completed some CIMA training, so speak to an advisor today to discuss your specific requirement in more detail.

Understanding Designatory Letters

As you progress through your CIMA qualification journey you will gain the following qualifications and designatory letters:

Certificate in Business Accounting

Once you have successfully completed the BA1, BA2, BA3 and BA4 exams, you will gain the designatory letters CIMA Cert BA.

Professional - Operational Level

After completing the tests and Case Study exam, you will receive the CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting and will gain the designatory letters CIMA Dip MA.

Professional - Management Level

After completing the tests and Case Study exam, you will receive the CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting and will gain the designatory letters CIMA Adv Dip MA.

Porfessional - Strategic Level

On completion of the Strategic level tests and Case Study exam, you will be eligible to submit your practical experience for assessment.

The practical experience requirement (PER) is an essential part of the CIMA Qualification and CIMA’s application process. It complements assessments and demonstrates your ability to apply knowledge and skills in the context of your professional experience.

Your PER application will be assessed to determine whether you have gained sufficient experience to be awarded Associate membership – giving you the Associate Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA) and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designations.

In order to become a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), you require a minimum of three years verified relevant work-based practical experience.

TOTUM PRO Card

The TOTUM PRO Card is the replacement of the old NUS card, which offers discounts in a wide range of shops and websites, saving you money off food, holidays and flights, clothes, make-up, gym memberships and much more. TOTUM PRO card is aimed at professional learners, giving you access to exclusive discounts. 

Where can you use your TOTUM PRO Card? 

The TOTUM PRO Card offers a range of discounts on a wide range of shops and websites. The list below provides a sample of the places you can receive discounts from. View the latest TOTUM PRO offers. 

How to get your card 

To receive your TOTUM PRO Card all you need to do is enrol and pay for an eligible course and we’ll send you an email confirmation, acknowledging your eligibility for the TOTUM PRO Card. After your 14-day cooling-off period has passed, we’ll send you an email confirming that your TOTUM PRO card access is now live, and you’ll be able to use the TOTUM PRO card widget in your ‘My Account’ section on our website, to order your card. 

Is there a cost? 

The TOTUM PRO Card is available in a range of membership options, including:

•    1 year £14.99
•    2 years £24.99
•    3 years £34.99