| E1 Managing Finance in a Digital World | P1 Management Accounting | F1 Financial Reporting |
|---|---|---|
Study the role of finance and tech that play a crucial part in the finance function. Learn how to use and review data to create and preserve value | Explore the use of costing alongside methods for where digital costing is used. Learn about budget prep and its implementation in a business, alongside its effect and methods to ensure short-term decisions against risk and uncertainty | Covers regulators and regulation. Explore how to arrange basic financial statements using financial reporting standards, identifying tax types while calculating corporation taxes and identifying taxation matters. Also covers tools to ensure an organisation has enough cash for ongoing operations |
CIMA exams list 2023: your comprehensive guide
29 August 2023
BPPEditorial Team
Stay updated with the comprehensive list of CIMA exams for 2023. Explore now to plan your CIMA qualification journey.
This article provides the CIMA exams list for the main CIMA qualification. You will need to complete all the exams on the list if you want to become a CIMA qualified accountant. However, you may be eligible for exemptions based on your academic or professional qualifications.
Find out if you're eligible for CIMA exemptions.
This guide to the CIMA exams is updated regularly.
CIMA exams structure
The CIMA professional qualification consists of three levels.
These are:
The Operational level covers the delivery of strategy and its performance for the short term. You'll then progress onto the Management level which involves a medium-term focus on articulating strategy, monitoring performance and taking corrective action when necessary. Finally, the Strategic level concentrates on long-term strategic decisions and the contexts in which those decisions are applied.
Within each level, you'll need to complete 3 Objective Test exams, followed by a Case Study exam. You can only attempt the Case Study exam once you've completed all three Objective Tests for that level.
The three pillars of CIMA
Each of the Objective Tests fall into one of three pillars across each level. These are the Enterprise pillar, Performance pillar, and Financial pillar.
The Enterprise pillar covers the preparation of a strategy and its effective implementation.
The Performance pillar explores techniques of management accounting and develops risk management skills to ensure that any strategy in place is realistic, while monitoring its delivery.
The Financial pillar looks at financial accounting and reporting obligations. The fundamentals of business tax and financial strategy are also covered.
How many CIMA exams are there?
There are 12 CIMA exams in total, consisting of nine Objective Tests and three Case Study exams.
The Objective Tests are available on-demand and last for 90 minutes each, while the Case Study exams last for three hours and can be taken during four exam windows throughout the year.
These windows take place in February, May, August, and November.
Objective Tests and Case Study assessments are computer-based exams which you can complete at one of 5,000 test centres worldwide.
What is the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting?
The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting is an entry route to qualifying through CIMA if you have no accounting experience.
The CIMA Certificate levels are:
BA1 Fundamentals of Business Economics
BA2 Fundamentals of Management Accounting
BA3 Fundamentals of Financial Accounting
BA4 Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance
The CIMA Certificate takes roughly 12 to 18 months to complete, after which you can move onto the Operational level of the CIMA professional qualification.
CIMA Exams list
Below is a full list of CIMA modules with details on what each exam covers. Each Objective Test exam represents one of the (E) Enterprise, (P) Performance, or (F) Financial pillars.
Operational level
Operational level Case Study exam
The Case Study exam for this level simulates the role of an entry-level finance professional. You must demonstrate the relevant knowledge, skills, techniques, and mindset required by a professional in this position.
Management level
| E2 Managing Performance | P2 Advanced Management Accounting | F2 Advanced Financial Reporting |
|---|---|---|
| Explores business models and their role in improving organisation performance. See how different types of leadership can help towards achieving organisational goals. Also features a review of project management concepts and techniques for effective delivery of strategy | Reviews cost management, quality, and process management, alongside value management that can deliver cost advantages. Discover relevant standards and criteria to advance and deliver projects. Also explores analysis of medium-term risks | Introduces types of funds, sources and their cost to an organisation. Covers financial reporting standards and their importance against certain financial statements, including group accounts. Also includes key elements of the International Integrated Reporting Framework |
Management level Case Study exam
The Cast Study exam for this level simulates the role of a finance manager. You must demonstrate the relevant knowledge, skills, techniques, and mindset required by a professional in this position.
Strategic level
| E3 Strategic Management | P3 Risk Management | F3 Financial Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Study core aspects of strategic management and the dynamics of this within a business. Explore how strategic options are built via the demands of an organisation, along with their delivery and analysis. Additional focus on change management and the tools to empower transformation | Covers enterprise risks, and how to manage and evaluate them. Discover where risks to a strategy can be identified, and how managing threats affect regulatory controls. Also reviews when internal protocols can affect risk management within an organisation | Offers a focus on strategic financial objectives and options that organisations can adopt. Reviews the funding options available through to finance strategy delivery, alongside financial risk causes and managing the fallout. Also include analysis of valuation techniques for business value and its context in integrated reporting |
Strategic level Case Study exam
The Case Study exam for this level simulates the role of a senior finance manager. You must demonstrate the relevant knowledge, skills, techniques, and mindset required by a professional in this position.
Final thoughts
The CIMA exams list gives an overview of the knowledge and skills you will develop before sitting the Objective Tests and Case Study exams.
When preparing for these exams, make sure you:
Learn all the materials for each CIMA module
Answer mock questions to test your knowledge
Get detailed feedback on your progress and improvement points
CIMA training at BPP sets you up for success with comprehensive study materials, a dedicated Performance Support Team, and regular mock tests.
If you're already in a professional role, then it's likely that you're eligible to complete the qualification through an apprenticeship.
Discover the CIMA levels
Introductory
Certificate
First full part of qualification
Operational
Build on existing knowledge
Management
Become Chartered
Strategic
