About this course
- Entry year: 2012/13
- Course code: N42248
- Award type: Professional Programme
- Applications: University
- Level: Professional/Short Course
- Department: Bristol Business School
- Campus: Frenchay
- Duration: Four years day-release.
Certificate in Business Accounting Level: Thursday 08.30 - 17.00
Operational Level: Tuesday 08.30 - 15.15
Management Level: Tuesday 08.30 - 15.15
Strategic Level: Wednesday 08.30 - 15.30
- Delivery: Part-time day release
- Study Abroad: No
- Programme leader: John Haddrell
Introduction
Effective management accounting is at the heart of many business successes, which is why organisations seek and value qualified, capable management accountants. The CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) examinations are recognised and respected throughout business and government. Success in these examinations, combined with practical experience, qualifies you for membership of the Institute, the right to use the letters ACMA after your name, and a fast track to rewarding career prospects.
CIMA has approved Bristol Business School to deliver all stages of the CIMA course, giving you the opportunity to benefit from quality study in a supportive environment, on a day-release basis that fits around your current employment.
Take your career to the next level
Management accountants need a practical understanding of how accounting, economics and business law all impact on the financial health and survival of an organisation. They also need to be able to apply their knowledge, guiding management decisions and formulating strategies that balance acceptable risks with achievable targets.
This course will give you the analytical and research skills needed to become an effective and dynamic management accountant, as well as experience of working with and learning from professionals from other relevant areas of specialist expertise.
Careers / Further study
CIMA is the most relevant accounting qualification for business. Becoming a chartered management accountant can accelerate your career and boost your salary. It is a proven path to business success.
CIMA-trained people work in industry, commerce, management consultancies, banks and not for profit and public sector organisations.
Entry Requirements
You must be eligible for registration as a student of CIMA who operate a flexible entry policy. There are no minimum entry requirements but you will need to be competent in the English Language and have a good standard of mathematics.
For queries about registration, contact: The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, 26 Chapter Street, London SW1P 4NP, telephone +44 (0) 20 8849 2251, e-mail contact@cimaglobal.com or visit their website at www.cimaglobal.com.
Exemptions
As a graduate or holder of similar qualifications you may be eligible for direct entry to the Intermediate Stage of the programme. Queries relating to exemptions should be directed to CIMA.
Course content
The syllabus is taught as Certificate, Managerial and Strategic levels, covering these subjects:
Certificate in Business Accounting Level
- Fundamentals of Management Accounting - introduces you to core management accounting topics such as cost determination, breakeven analysis, standard costing, cost and accounting systems and financial planning and control.
- Fundamentals of Financial Accounting - takes you through conceptual and regulatory frameworks, accounting systems and control, and preparing accounting statements for single entites.
- Fundamentals of Business Mathematics - introduces you to basic mathematics, probability, summarising and analysing data, variables, forecasting, financial mathematics and spreadsheets.
- Fundamentals of Business Economics - covers the goals and decisions of organisations, the market system and the competitive process, the financial system and the macroeconomic context of business.
- Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law - covers ethics and business, ethical conflict, corporate governance, comparison of English law with alternative legal systems, the law of contract, the law of employment, and company administration and finance.
Operational Level
- Performance Operations - This paper deals with tools and techniques that generate information needed to evaluate and control present and projected performance.
- Financial Operations - This paper's core objectives are preparation of full financial statements for a single company and the principal consolidated financial statements for a simple group.
- Enterprise Operations - addresses several functional areas of business, and introduces candidates to the economic, social and political contexts of international business.
Management Level
- Performance Management - The main focus of paper P2 is the application of information in the management processes of decision making and control to optimise performance.
- Financial Management - F2 extends to more advanced topics in financial accounting (preparation of full consolidated financial statements and issues of principle in accounting standards dealing with more complex areas) and to developments in external reporting
- Enterprise Management - E2 moves towards an holistic, integrated view of management across an organisation.
Strategic Level
- Performance Strategy - This paper considers both financial and non financial risks.
- Financial Strategy - F3 deals with key elements in designing and managing the organisation's financial strategy - in the context of contributing to achieving the organisation's objectives and within its external constraints.
- Enterprise Strategy - Paper E3 continues the integration of skills across functions, but concentrates on developing the knowledge and skills used in designing and implementing strategy.
Some students may be granted exemption from some of the examinations; for example, graduates and students who have passed AAT (a full-time Foundation Course in Accountancy), and holders of HND and HNC in Business Studies.
Teaching and learning
Our CIMA course has a very clear structure, and we take you through it in a methodical and supportive way that helps you gain a fundamental understanding of each subject. This approach avoids the need for stressful last minute cramming, and we believe it increases your chance of success in the examinations. Our staff will support you personally, both in the classroom and frequently outside it, via e-mail and phone.
Attendance
We understand that further education is a major commitment, and it needs to fit in with your work, your family and the rest of your life. So we offer the CIMA course as day-release, with one day a week (which varies for Certificate, Managerial and Strategic levels) over four years.
Assessment
Examinations of the CIMA are held in May.
Prices and dates
Fees
Full details of fees for this course can be found on our postgraduate fees pages. For funding options, please see our funding and scholarships information
How to apply
How to apply
Please contact Bristol Business School Admissions Office, telephone +44 (0)117 32 86877, e-mail Business@uwe.ac.uk.
For further information
Page last updated 14 December 2011