PH CIMA people...
Discussion
Afternoon all,
I'm halfway through the qualification, expect to be finished by the end of next year
(managerial and strategic left).
I currently work in operational finance in the Banking industry, which isn't too bad. I'll be moving jobs within the company soon, probably either elsewhere in finance or to spend a couple of years in strategy. To widen my 'experience pyramid', before returning to a more finance based role.
Those of you who are undertaking the qualification or are fully qualified, what do you do? What paths have you taken?
Just curious on a lazy Sunday!
I'm halfway through the qualification, expect to be finished by the end of next year
(managerial and strategic left).I currently work in operational finance in the Banking industry, which isn't too bad. I'll be moving jobs within the company soon, probably either elsewhere in finance or to spend a couple of years in strategy. To widen my 'experience pyramid', before returning to a more finance based role.
Those of you who are undertaking the qualification or are fully qualified, what do you do? What paths have you taken?
Just curious on a lazy Sunday!
Reading PH when I should be (finally) typing up my professional experience...
I started studying six years ago, was exempt from Foundation Level (as was, not sure on the current title), passed the tenth exam almost exactly three years after first day of night school, now trying to get my experience signed-off before it lapses in eight months time.
Was working as an assistant management accountant when I started, did that for two years and have been working in project / corporate finance for the last four so my experience isn't the typical Man Acc, Fin Ctrl, Fin Man, FD route of many of my peers.
For me it means no Groundhog Day experiences of the month-end / reporting cycle (plus it means I can take a holiday in the first eight days of any month !).
Often wonder if I would have been better sitting CFA or ACA but I notice I have a better idea of the commercial (and to me, more interesting) side of things than my "real accountant" colleagues with their detailed knowledge of audit & financial standards.
One thing I would note is that you can find ACMAs / FCMAs in parts of the company e.g. procurement or business development that you wouldn't find a "normal accountant".
Any idea what route you want to take in the future ? Were you sitting exams this week ?
I started studying six years ago, was exempt from Foundation Level (as was, not sure on the current title), passed the tenth exam almost exactly three years after first day of night school, now trying to get my experience signed-off before it lapses in eight months time.
Was working as an assistant management accountant when I started, did that for two years and have been working in project / corporate finance for the last four so my experience isn't the typical Man Acc, Fin Ctrl, Fin Man, FD route of many of my peers.
For me it means no Groundhog Day experiences of the month-end / reporting cycle (plus it means I can take a holiday in the first eight days of any month !).
Often wonder if I would have been better sitting CFA or ACA but I notice I have a better idea of the commercial (and to me, more interesting) side of things than my "real accountant" colleagues with their detailed knowledge of audit & financial standards.
One thing I would note is that you can find ACMAs / FCMAs in parts of the company e.g. procurement or business development that you wouldn't find a "normal accountant".
Any idea what route you want to take in the future ? Were you sitting exams this week ?
12yrs since I passed my finals - great qualification but accountancy profession still favours aca 
Assistant accountant for a quarry company
Assistant accountant at lotus cars
Management accountant at a college
Finance manager at a horse racing company
Deputy head of financial control for offshore funds management business
Now working as no.2 at an offshore trust company in Jersey...
I like varied jobs too !
Good luck with the studies
Assistant accountant for a quarry company
Assistant accountant at lotus cars
Management accountant at a college
Finance manager at a horse racing company
Deputy head of financial control for offshore funds management business
Now working as no.2 at an offshore trust company in Jersey...
I like varied jobs too !
Good luck with the studies
Thanks for the responses guys.
I did the 5 Certificate exams last year, have just done the Operational exams last week, planning on doing Managerial in May and then Strategic next November.
I deal with end of month financial reporting/plan setting and revision/internal recoveries setting etc (as part of a team for our business area), the usual financial ops stuff you have in a big company. It's all pretty interesting, but it's usually same old same old if you get me. Suits my studies though! Some of the exams may as well say 'tell us what you do at work'
So I'm looking for the next move to be into a role with less business as usual stuff.
Ideally I'm after a technical challenge, something which will also be valuable in the future. Probably something like a role in the strategy area or corporate arm, which ties into the qualification, which is nice. Fortunately we have a very good mentor system at work, i managed to find a mentor who is top notch, he's helping me scope roles out.
It's suprising the number of people in such areas that are Certified.
Bompey would be good to hear how you made the move. Would be happy to chat through pm if you are...
I did the 5 Certificate exams last year, have just done the Operational exams last week, planning on doing Managerial in May and then Strategic next November.
I deal with end of month financial reporting/plan setting and revision/internal recoveries setting etc (as part of a team for our business area), the usual financial ops stuff you have in a big company. It's all pretty interesting, but it's usually same old same old if you get me. Suits my studies though! Some of the exams may as well say 'tell us what you do at work'
So I'm looking for the next move to be into a role with less business as usual stuff.
Ideally I'm after a technical challenge, something which will also be valuable in the future. Probably something like a role in the strategy area or corporate arm, which ties into the qualification, which is nice. Fortunately we have a very good mentor system at work, i managed to find a mentor who is top notch, he's helping me scope roles out.
It's suprising the number of people in such areas that are Certified.
Bompey would be good to hear how you made the move. Would be happy to chat through pm if you are...
I qualifed about 12 years ago, after doing AAT first.
Most of my career has been in manufacturing, i've recently gone back to an employer i left 3 years ago (have gone back to a different site however), i'm the finance number one on site, its a fabrications site employing circa 400 people building fabrications for construction equipment (its a large american company, which makes yellow goods)
I have worked in the food industry and petro chemicals industries in financial controller roles.
Quite a few of our VP level people are CIMA or CMA accountants who have worked through various areas of the business.
Most of my career has been in manufacturing, i've recently gone back to an employer i left 3 years ago (have gone back to a different site however), i'm the finance number one on site, its a fabrications site employing circa 400 people building fabrications for construction equipment (its a large american company, which makes yellow goods)
I have worked in the food industry and petro chemicals industries in financial controller roles.
Quite a few of our VP level people are CIMA or CMA accountants who have worked through various areas of the business.
These are the roles I have had so far
Accounts assistant - age 20-22 - local firm of accountants (2 years)
Finance assistant - Commonwealth (1 year contract)
Assistant Regional Management Accountant - Intertek PLC (2 years)
Assistant Management Account - Liberty International PLC (2 years)
Assistant Fund Accountant - Schroders (18 months)
Group Accountant - Carpathian Asset Management (1 year contract) - I qualified in 2010
Assistant Finance Manager - Henderson Global Investors (6 months contract)
Finance Manager - age 32 - For a property development company (been here 8 months and will be here for 3-5 years in total).
I moved around a lot when younger to get experience and did contract work too. I am now going to be in this job for 3-5 years.
I am currently studying a masters and will be going an MBA too in a few years.
Accounts assistant - age 20-22 - local firm of accountants (2 years)
Finance assistant - Commonwealth (1 year contract)
Assistant Regional Management Accountant - Intertek PLC (2 years)
Assistant Management Account - Liberty International PLC (2 years)
Assistant Fund Accountant - Schroders (18 months)
Group Accountant - Carpathian Asset Management (1 year contract) - I qualified in 2010
Assistant Finance Manager - Henderson Global Investors (6 months contract)
Finance Manager - age 32 - For a property development company (been here 8 months and will be here for 3-5 years in total).
I moved around a lot when younger to get experience and did contract work too. I am now going to be in this job for 3-5 years.
I am currently studying a masters and will be going an MBA too in a few years.
Edited by Lostprophet on Monday 26th November 11:20
Don't get to wound up on the qualification, you can move on, from accounts it is a good business qualification. I qualified CIMA in the 70's including a first place price in the finals. Worked in accounts until I was 30, then made Country Manager for an Oil Service Company, then Commercial Mananger for an oil industry contractor, then MD then Group MD, then as a consultant to a fortune 500 oil company.
Berw said:
Don't get to wound up on the qualification, you can move on, from accounts it is a good business qualification. I qualified CIMA in the 70's including a first place price in the finals. Worked in accounts until I was 30, then made Country Manager for an Oil Service Company, then Commercial Mananger for an oil industry contractor, then MD then Group MD, then as a consultant to a fortune 500 oil company.
That's quite a career! Someone I know.
Finished CIMA late 70s, now consulting to a couple of FTSE listed entities. Good work if you can get it...i'm hearing of £5k per day being on the low side!
Brother in law
Finished CIMA two years ago working at Unliver in strategic growth, now at AMEC in a role not related to CIMA qualification whatsoever.
Finished CIMA late 70s, now consulting to a couple of FTSE listed entities. Good work if you can get it...i'm hearing of £5k per day being on the low side!
Brother in law
Finished CIMA two years ago working at Unliver in strategic growth, now at AMEC in a role not related to CIMA qualification whatsoever.
Did the certificate level last year and just sat F1 last Thursday, which was the last of the operational level for me. Doing it more as career insurance then for progression as such, but has certainly helped. Currently do Stock Accounting, control and reporting for an oil major. Does tend to be same old same old each month, but there's enough project stuff and problems to keep me occupied. To be honest, the way things have been over the last few years, just been happy to stay employed and keep my head down. Did one paper at a time for this level, as been through a major restructuring at work and the stress has been rather stupid, but hoping to do the next level in two sittings next year, probably F2 in May and P2/E2 in November. After that, not sure. I didn't go into it with the intention of racing through to get qualified, odd though that may sound. Approaching it very much as a "take it as it comes" thing that is sort of evolving in lock-step with my career. Took me twelve years between doing an HNC and starting CIMA, so no rush! Glad I took the plunge though - nice confidence boost to learn new stuff and see it pay off at work.
Thread from the dead 
Passed F1 and so have now completed Operational level. Currently studying for F2, but I'm finding it very hard to get motivated. Exam is end of May and other than attend tuition, I've done very little work. It's more tiredness than laziness, as work is going through a restructuring and is taking a lot out of me, but I'm starting to get anxious about it, which really isn't the best way of handling it. Anyone got any suggestions to get back on track?
Passed F1 and so have now completed Operational level. Currently studying for F2, but I'm finding it very hard to get motivated. Exam is end of May and other than attend tuition, I've done very little work. It's more tiredness than laziness, as work is going through a restructuring and is taking a lot out of me, but I'm starting to get anxious about it, which really isn't the best way of handling it. Anyone got any suggestions to get back on track?
Sorry to hijack, I would appreciate any advice and just want to check I am on the right page hopefully.
I graduated nearly 2 years ago with a 2:1 in Business and Financial Management and I've just started studying towards E1 and P1 which I am taking in May. I didn't do a placement year and havn't found a graduate level job but I have decided I want to study towards CIMA and becoming a Chartered Management Accountant. I do work part time in shop at supervisor level which has allowed me to start volunteering one day per week at the head office which thankfully isn't too far away. I've been getting experience in AR and AP and will hopefully be moving into more exciting cash flow and month end work soon. My lack of experience is concerning me, I hope to be moving into a accounts assistant role in the summer after my exams. Is this realistic? Is there anything more I could do to boost my experience or any specific experience that will make me a better candidate in the summer?
Any tips or advice is much appreciated.
I graduated nearly 2 years ago with a 2:1 in Business and Financial Management and I've just started studying towards E1 and P1 which I am taking in May. I didn't do a placement year and havn't found a graduate level job but I have decided I want to study towards CIMA and becoming a Chartered Management Accountant. I do work part time in shop at supervisor level which has allowed me to start volunteering one day per week at the head office which thankfully isn't too far away. I've been getting experience in AR and AP and will hopefully be moving into more exciting cash flow and month end work soon. My lack of experience is concerning me, I hope to be moving into a accounts assistant role in the summer after my exams. Is this realistic? Is there anything more I could do to boost my experience or any specific experience that will make me a better candidate in the summer?
Any tips or advice is much appreciated.
I procrastinate a lot too (hence posting on PH!), I've yet to submit my experience, has been a year since I did TOPCIMA!!! Currently work in a business assurance role, haven't had a financial reporting role at all to date.
Hornet - I found that little and often is probably the best approach to motivating yourself. Do one timed question a night, then mark your answer. This shouldn't take more than an hour or so, whereas trying to do a whole exam may be too daunting and put you off.
Hornet - I found that little and often is probably the best approach to motivating yourself. Do one timed question a night, then mark your answer. This shouldn't take more than an hour or so, whereas trying to do a whole exam may be too daunting and put you off.
Office_Monkey said:
I procrastinate a lot too (hence posting on PH!), I've yet to submit my experience, has been a year since I did TOPCIMA!!! Currently work in a business assurance role, haven't had a financial reporting role at all to date.
Hornet - I found that little and often is probably the best approach to motivating yourself. Do one timed question a night, then mark your answer. This shouldn't take more than an hour or so, whereas trying to do a whole exam may be too daunting and put you off.
Set aside a weekend and get it done then your ACMA. Hornet - I found that little and often is probably the best approach to motivating yourself. Do one timed question a night, then mark your answer. This shouldn't take more than an hour or so, whereas trying to do a whole exam may be too daunting and put you off.
Remember come interview time if there is a lag between final exams finishing logbook you will be asked why - its not a good thing ether they view it as you'd drag your feet on objectives or actions on the role they are offering.
Clearly after quite a few years that would become irrelevant.
Also sooner its done its a weight off your shoulders and do yourself a favour when you do it and its signed off buy something nice for yourself say a Rolex etc.
Next step is FCMA
Office_Monkey said:
I procrastinate a lot too (hence posting on PH!), I've yet to submit my experience, has been a year since I did TOPCIMA!!! Currently work in a business assurance role, haven't had a financial reporting role at all to date.
Hornet - I found that little and often is probably the best approach to motivating yourself. Do one timed question a night, then mark your answer. This shouldn't take more than an hour or so, whereas trying to do a whole exam may be too daunting and put you off.
To be honest i only applied when i got a letter saying i had 6 months left (i left it 4.5 years), i did a session where i prepared the extended cv and had had it reviewed and had a short interview with someone from cima. Membership approved the same day.Hornet - I found that little and often is probably the best approach to motivating yourself. Do one timed question a night, then mark your answer. This shouldn't take more than an hour or so, whereas trying to do a whole exam may be too daunting and put you off.
Years later i then discover the guy that did mine was now chairman of CIMA
Im ACCA (and also apying for ACA) and work in banking too but started iff in practice.
My experience with CIMA qualifieds in banks is that they are very good at process driven tasks ie in reporting in large volumes of data eg for numerous trading books but are not suitable for legal entity reportin or the more structured types of transactions which ACCA amd ACA candidates seem better suited.
My advice for any accountant is to be commercially minded and be able to add value to the 'business' whether that is a trader, head of a department or a small business owner who has come in from the street.
My experience with CIMA qualifieds in banks is that they are very good at process driven tasks ie in reporting in large volumes of data eg for numerous trading books but are not suitable for legal entity reportin or the more structured types of transactions which ACCA amd ACA candidates seem better suited.
My advice for any accountant is to be commercially minded and be able to add value to the 'business' whether that is a trader, head of a department or a small business owner who has come in from the street.
northandy said:
To be honest i only applied when i got a letter saying i had 6 months left (i left it 4.5 years), i did a session where i prepared the extended cv and had had it reviewed and had a short interview with someone from cima. Membership approved the same day.
Years later i then discover the guy that did mine was now chairman of CIMA
Its now all done online. Years later i then discover the guy that did mine was now chairman of CIMA
He can build it up section by section have all his sponsors given access etc so once complete its submitted they review ad approve then goes to CIMA hovering body to sign it off.
Looking back I wished I had kept a log as I went along as thinking back to specific tasts all different in all different roles took a bit of time ad recall.
I'm looking to get FCMA within the next few years - am in the role now where I'm doing these "requirements" day in day out so once I get some time ill be logging it all.
As it turns out my line mgr mentioned yesterday how do you fancy doing a diploma in ILM5 institute of leadership and management which wil lead into MBA..... Dangling carrot. We're I to accept (frankly if asked not to take it up is noted and doors closed) adding these to the CV along with FMCA is a lot of firepower and elevates to positions which currently are possible but its be more luck and networking to get in than anything else.
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