CIMA Professional Qualification Strategic Level (E3, P3, F3)

Is the CIMA Professional Strategic Level suitable for me?

The final level in the CIMA Professional qualification has been designed for those delegates who have completed both the CIMA Professional – Operational and Management Level, and who are now working towards becoming fully qualified with CIMA.

Interested in working in a Business Accounting or Management Accounting environment? This globally recognised qualification will benefit you.

Work towards your CIMA qualification today. 

What jobs can I apply for after my CIMA Professional Qualification?

Once you have completed your CIMA Professional journey, you will gain full Chartered Management Accountant status and gain the designatory letters CGMA.

You can apply for a wide range of careers, including:

•    Finance Manager - £50k+
•    Management Consultant - £60k+
•    Finance Director - £75K+
•    Chief Finance Officer - £100K+
•    CEO - £130k+.

(Source: Payscale)

CIMA Professional – Strategic Level Syllabus

There are three subject areas in the CIMA Professional – Strategic Level:

•    Strategic Management (E3).
•    Risk Management (P3).
•    Financial Strategy (F3).

Learning outcome

E3 – Strategic Management

•    Learn the foundation elements of strategic management and the dynamics of the organisational ecosystem, and how it impacts organisational strategy.
•    Discover how strategy is implemented and how implementation objectives are achieved and managed.
•    Understand what the key technologies are which underpin digital transformation and the various elements of digital strategy.

P3 – Risk Management

•    Learn how to identify, evaluate and manage enterprise risks.
•    Discover where strategic risks typically evolve from, how to evaluate them, and how oversight of these risks is critical to the governance of the organisation. 
•    Understand how internal controls can be used effectively at risk management stage, and how you can identify, analyse, remedy and report these strategic risks.

 F3 – Advanced Financial Reporting

•    Learn the different policy options and strategic financial objectives which are open to organisations.
•    Discover the types of funds which are available to organisations to finance the implementation of strategies, and how they access these funds in the right quantity, at the right time and for the right price.
•    Understand how to evaluate and manage financial risk appropriately and learn what the sources of financial risk are.

Syllabus

E3 – Strategic Management

•    A. The Strategy process.
•    B. Analysing the organisational ecosystem.
•    C. Generating strategic options.
•    D. Making strategic choices.
•    E. Strategic control.
•    F. Digital strategy.

P3 – Risk Management  

•    A. Enterprise risk.
•    B. Strategic risk.
•    C. Internal controls.
•    D. Cyber risk.

F3 – Financial Strategy

•    A. Financial policy decisions.
•    B. Sources of long-term funds.
•    C. Financial risks.
•    D. Business valuation.

CIMA Exams

The CIMA exams cover two testing styles: Objective Test and Case Study exam. 

Objective Test

The Strategic Level has a 90-minute, computer-based Objective Test.

Objective Tests include a range of number entry questions, short multiple-choice questions, drag and drop questions and more. They will test all component learning outcomes you have covered within this course.

This test is computer-graded, and you will receive a provisional grade of pass or fail immediately. Official results will be sent out within 48 hours.

Your exam can be taken at any Pearson Vue Test Centre around the world, with a choice of 5,000 centres.

Case Study

The Strategic Level will conclude with a Case Study Examination, which integrates the skills, techniques and knowledge, gained across the three subjects covered. These Case Study Exams are available four times a year: Feb, May, Aug & Nov.

The role simulated in this Case Study is that of a Senior Finance Manager. You will be provided with a simulated context, allowing you to demonstrate you have acquired the necessary knowledge, techniques and mindset for that role.

These Case Study exams are human marked, and you will receive your results five weeks after the close of the Case Study window on your MY CIMA account.

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 designatory letters:

Certificate in Business Accounting

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

Professional Qualification - 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 Qualification - 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.

Professional Qualification - 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.

To become a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), you require a minimum of three years of 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, you need to 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