What is a Professional Banker?
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) is a UK based professional body offering training and qualification in management accountancy and related subjects. It is focused on accountants working in industry, and provides ongoing support and training for members.
CIMA is the world’s leading, and largest, professional body of management accountants. Our unique blend of management accounting, financial accounting and business-focused subjects produces competent and confident CGMAs who can lead their organisations to sustainable success.
CIMA is one of the professional associations for accountants in the UK and Ireland. Its particular emphasis is on developing the management accounting profession. CIMA is the largest management accounting body in the world with 281,467 CGMAs and 106,095 members in 2017.
CIMA is also a member of the International Federation of Accountants.
CIMA, was formed in March 1919, as the Institute of Cost and Works Accountant, by a group of legal professionals and businessmen who wanted to develop an approach to accounting that would meet the demands of a rapidly changing business world. Industrialisation had led to large scale, complex businesses providing unprecedented challenges in management. Employers needed a new form of in-house accountant to provide, in addition to accounts, better analysis of cost and of operations to inform performance management. The new institute soon gained the backing of leading industrialists including, Lord Leverhulme who became its founding president.
Advances in technology and globalisation made business ever more complex over the 20th century and the role of the accountant in business became more significant. It expanded to include provision of a wider range of information and the emphasis shifted from accounting to management.
The status of management accounting as a distinct branch of the accounting profession was recognised by the granting of a Royal Charter in 1985.
Benefits of becoming a CIMA Certified:
As part of the world’s largest and leading professional body of management accountants, you have the most relevant qualification for business and your letters showcase your skills and experience globally, connect you to a community of like-minded peers and show you have a commitment to lifelong learning, ethics and professionalism.
CIMA is committed to elevating the profession and works closely with employers – updating our qualification, professional experience requirements and continuing professional development programme to ensure our continuing relevance to business. All of this sets you apart from the crowd – giving you recognition as a financially qualified business leader and driving your career forward. As a CGMA, you get access to a wide range of benefits and services – explore what’s available to you and ensure you’re making the most of your membership.