4.8 out of 5 based on 13804 reviews

4.8/5 from 13804 Reviews

CIMA - Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting

Course Overview

The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting has been developed for students with little or no accounting experience as it covers fundamental business and finance skills, helping you progress towards a career in business and finance.

While it's qualification on its own, the Business Accounting certificate forms a formal entry point onto the CIMA Professional Qualification. 

Throughout this CIMA Certificate training course, you will cover four essential subjects:

  •    Fundamentals of Business Economics (BA1).
  •    Fundamentals of Management Accounting (BA2).
  •    Fundamentals of Financial Accounting (BA3).
  •    Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law (BA4).

There are two CIMA qualifications available - CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting and the CIMA Professional Qualification (which includes three levels: Operational Level, Management Level and Strategic Level).

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.  

Key features

  • Delivery Method: Online & Books
  • Exams: Available via Awarding Body
  • Tutor Support Included
  • Course Access: 12 months
  • Fully accredited courseware
  • Study anytime, anywhere
£1,295Inc. VAT
Add to CartFinance Options

dividebuy_logoCheck your eligibilityFast check - won't affect your credit rating.
FREE Course Advice
PQ Magazine Awards 2023 Winner
Key features
  • Delivery Method: Online & Books
  • Exams: Available via Awarding Body
  • Tutor Support Included
  • Course Access: 12 months
  • Fully accredited courseware
  • Study anytime, anywhere

Course Reviews

Youtube icon Youtube icon

Course Details

Why study the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting with e-Careers?

We have developed an expert team over the last 10 years since our inception. In that time, we have trained over 625,000 delegates globally, which has helped offer the highest quality training. By refining our processes, partner relationships, and course materials, we can offer high-quality training solutions for our delegates.

We're proud of our excellent rating on Trustpilot, with over 13,000 reviews from our past students.

Other benefits include: 

  •    Approved CIMA training materials - We only use training materials which have been officially approved by CIMA.
  •    Flexibility - Study at your own pace, where and when it suits you.
  •    Complete training kit - This course includes eLearning, Study Books, Exam Preparation Guides, Pocket Revision Kits and Tutor Support.
  •    Interest-free payment options - We offer Interest-Free Payment Plans to help spread the cost. 

Benefits of studying the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting

As the world’s leading and largest professional body of Management Accountants, CIMA has built an outstanding reputation in the professional world of accounting. With over 100 years of experience, they leverage their heritage and history, to provide excellent training for professional accountants.

CIMA benefits include:

  •    There are no prerequisites to start studying a CIMA qualification.
  •    The CIMA qualification is recognised across 179 countries, enabling delegates to have plenty of opportunities to work abroad.
  •    CIMA is highly recognised by employers, with 96% of FTSE 100 firms employing CIMA qualified individuals.
  •    CIMA graduates enter the industry with access to a wide range of opportunities, which include Finance, Consultative and Management roles.
  •    CIMA boasts a global network of over 650,000 current and next generation finance professionals*.
  •    CIMA members (CGMAs) earn average of £66,000**.
  •    63% of CIMA students expect to receive a bonus within 12 months of qualifying*.

*Source - CIMA
**Source - 2019 Association of International Certified Professional Accountants Salary Survey

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

We're Trusted by

Hundreds of thousands of individuals, small businesses and large corporations continuously put their trust in e-Careers.​
We are proud to have trained individuals who work for some of the world’s largest companies, including:​
Trusted by Trusted by