If you're serious about a successful career in finance or management accounting, earning your CIMA qualification in South Africa is one of the best steps you can take. Recognised globally, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) Professional Qualification equips you with the skills to lead in business, finance, and strategy.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on becoming CIMA-certified in South Africa.
Step 1: Understand the CIMA Qualification Structure
The CIMA qualification consists of four levels:
- Certificate in Business Accounting or Certificate Level
- Operational Level
- Management Level
- Strategic Level
To qualify as a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), you must complete all exams and meet CIMA's relevant work experience requirements referred to as PER (Practical Experience Requirements).
Step 2: Register with CIMA
Before you can study CIMA in South Africa, you must register with CIMA Global. Entry is open to:
- School leavers, starting at the Certificate level.
- Graduates, who may qualify for exemptions based on their degree.
- Professional bodies, such as ICB, ACCA and SAIPA.
- Elite pathways where your experience and/or professional membership e.g. SAICA may grant you exemptions under the pathway route.
Registration is quick and fully online through the official CIMA Global website.
Step 3: Choose a Trusted Tuition Provider
To support your CIMA journey, it's important to study through a reputable tuition provider. Partnering with a CIMA-approved learning partner such as IBTC will give you the best chance of passing your exams and moving through the qualification as efficiently as possible.
Step 4: Prepare for Exams and Gain Work Experience
The CIMA qualification consists of two different exam types - Objective Tests (OT’s) and the Case Study Exams.
OT’s are on-demand, 90 minute multiple choice tests that will test your syllabus knowledge. Case Study Exams are much longer, have specific seatings through out the year and will require students to study a pre-seen in order to test their application of knowledge in real world scenarios.
Each level consists of three Objective Tests and one Case Study Exam. This excludes the Certificate Level, which is made up of 4 OT exams. You will need to pass the Case Study Exams at each level and complete your PER (Practical Experience Requirements) to qualify as a CGMA.
Why Get a CIMA Qualification in South Africa?
A CIMA qualification opens doors to high-demand roles such as management accountant, financial analyst, and finance manager. It’s recognised in over 170 countries, offering strong career prospects locally and internationally. As a bonus, once you complete CIMA, you can apply to SAICA and only need to complete the Board Exam 2 in order to become a qualified CA (SA)!
