Executive education from a distance

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) is gearing up to cater to busy executives, who completed their degree course a while ago, are working and now wish to reskill by updating their knowledge in their domain areas.

"Across the globe, CIMA works through partnerships with business, employers and educational institutions to enhance and deliver services to members and students," said Michelle Potts, head of international business development, CIMA.

It offers courses in financial and management accounting in 3 levels -- Certificate in Business Accounting, CIMA Advanced Diploma, and the final level CIMA Professional Qualification.

A CIMA-qualified Chartered Management Accountant will not only the financial and accountancy skills required in today's global business environment, but also management skills and an all-round view of business, with the international perspective, explained Swati Ghangurde, chief representative of CIMA. The qualification is based on case studies and scenarios.

"The best thing about CIMA courses is that you can decide how you want to span your qualification. If you want to stop after a year and start again later, you can do that. The qualifications are designed to be flexible so you can study and train at a pace that suits you," she added. As there are no contact programmes available in India, students study by the distance learning method.

The fee structure for 2006 include 37 pounds for the certificate level course, 57 pounds for the managerial level, 62 pounds for the strategic level and 83 pounds for the TOPCIMA course. Besides, CIMA charges 52 pounds for student registration, 78 pounds for the annual subscription 2006.

In India, CIMA recently announced formal tie-ups with British Council, Dun and Bradstreet, Genpact and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

"The MoU with British Council aims to provide more information on CIMA and Management Accountancy through the British Council (BC) libraries across India," said Potts.

Building on a previous MoU with BC, CIMA provides publishing study books and reading materials on management accounting. British Council also offers the computer-based assessment for the Certificate in Business Accounting, which is the entry level qualification for CIMA.

Along with Dun and Bradstreet (D&B), CIMA held a number of joint events aimed at corporate leaders. These seminar programmes are scheduled to continue till 2007.

CIMA has over 150,000 students and members in 158 countries. With Genpact and PWC, CIMA launched schemes to provide support and opportunities for financial professionals to undertake the CIMA programme.

Genpact is offering CIMA qualifications to its existing employees across India, while PWC is currently offering Management Trainee contracts to recent graduates who have passed the Certificate in Business Accounting, with the opportunity to work for PWC as a trainee for 2.5 years and pursue the CIMA professional qualifications.

"We recommended that one finds employment first. However, if you come from a non-relevant background, taking the CIMA Certificate Business Accounting will give you a broad-based business qualification, which should help you secure employment," added Ghangurde.