CIMA qualification gives accountancy students new opportunities

The close links between the University of Chester’s Accounting and Finance degree with the professional accounting body CIMA have led to an exciting new opportunity for students.

The high-ranking Accounting and Finance degree course at Chester, which has consistently high student satisfaction (96% in this year’s National Student Survey for the four-year degree), is now able to offer a professional qualification as part of the course.

The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants® (CIMA) is a leading professional body of management accountants and its representatives regularly visit Chester Business School to give students vital careers advice.

The degree at Chester already offers students the maximum exemptions from CIMA’s professional accountancy exams so that it takes them less time to become fully qualified professional accountants after they graduate.

Now students can achieve a professional certificate with the body after only their first year of the degree. 

This is the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting which is recognised as a standalone professional qualification by the accounting and finance industry and is a starting point to becoming a professionally qualified management accountant.

Helen Clayfield, Programme Leader for Accounting and Finance at Chester, said: “This is an amazing opportunity for students on the BSc Accounting and Finance programme and is available because of the close working relationship between the University of Chester and CIMA.

“To have a professional qualification at the end of your first year at university will make you stand out. It will show commitment and hard work to employers as you look for placements, internships, part time or graduate jobs.

“This is an excellent programme that equips students with all the knowledge and skills that accounting, finance and business professionals need today. We offer an excellent learning environment as all teaching is done in small groups with lecturers who are professionally qualified.​”

Students will be eligible for this opportunity if they pass all their first-year exams. They will then only have to take one CIMA exam rather than four at the CIMA Certificate level.

Amie Lawlor, 21, from St Helens has just been awarded a First Class degree in Accounting and Finance from Chester. She said: “From the work experience that I have undertaken while at University I realise that this qualification may give me a skill benefit ahead of other candidates in future job applications. I enjoyed being able to apply my university knowledge to enable me to achieve a real-world qualification.

“The Accounting and Finance course at the University of Chester has been, by far, my favourite part of my educational journey. I have not only gained a valuable degree, but I also gained real life experiences and have been able to meet amazing likeminded people. The staff at Chester have had their part to play in this – they are always on hand to support and develop me during this time.”

Pictured - Claire du Rose from CIMA with level 6 Accounting students. Claire ran a business game with the students, helping them to apply technical skills in a practical context. It was also an opportunity to gain experience for assessment centres which are often based on exercises such as these. The winning team received a CIMA certificate for their career portfolio. Image taken prior to lockdown.