CIMA

CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting (2017 syllabus)

Overview
This subject primarily covers the economic and operating context of business and how the factors of competition, the behaviour of financial markets and government economic policy can influence an organisation. It also deals with the information available to assist management in evaluating and forecasting the behaviour of consumers, markets and the economy in general.
The focus of this syllabus is on providing candidates with an understanding of the areas of economic activity relevant to an organisation’s decisions and, within this context, the numerical techniques to support such decisions.

Summary of syllabus
Each subject is divided into a number of broad syllabus topics.
A percentage weighting is shown against each syllabus topic and is intended as a guide to the proportion of study time each topic requires.
It is essential that all topics in the syllabus are studied, as all topics will be examined.

Assessments
Format: computer based
Availability: on demand at any of the 5,500 Pearson VUE centres around the world
Length: 2 hours
Questions: BA1, BA2 and BA3 each contain 60 objective test questions, while BA4 contains 85 objective test questions.
Marking: computer marked
Results: provisional result available immediately followed by confirmation no more than 48 hours later

Further information
Objective Tests are comprised of a range of items including short multiple choice questions, number entry questions, drag and drop questions and other formats. In BA2 and BA3 short scenarios may be given to which one or more objective test questions relate.

Overview
This subject deals with the fundamental knowledge and techniques that underpin management accounting. It identifies the position of the management accountant within organisations and the role of CIMA. The subject portrays the role of management accounting in the contexts of commercial and public sector bodies and its wider role in society.
The identification and classification of costs and their behaviour provides the basis for understanding and applying the tools and techniques needed to plan, control and make decisions. Budgetary control requires the setting of targets and standards which then allow the performance of organisations to be reported and analysed by the calculation of variances. Investment appraisal, break-even analysis and profit maximisation are used to inform both long and short term decision making.

Summary of syllabus
Each subject is divided into a number of broad syllabus topics.
A percentage weighting is shown against each syllabus topic and is intended as a guide to the proportion of study time each topic requires.
It is essential that all topics in the syllabus are studied, as all topics will be examined.

Assessments

Format: computer based
Availability: on demand at any of the 5,500 Pearson VUE centres around the world
Length: 2 hours
Questions: BA1, BA2 and BA3 each contain 60 objective test questions, while BA4 contains 85 objective test questions.
Marking: computer marked
Results: provisional result available immediately followed by confirmation no more than 48 hours later

Further information
Objective Tests are comprised of a range of items including short multiple choice questions, number entry questions, drag and drop questions and other formats. In BA2 and BA3 short scenarios may be given to which one or more objective test questions relate.

CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting (2017 syllabus)

Overview
The main objective of this subject is to obtain a practical understanding of financial accounting and the process behind the preparation of financial statements for single entities.
These statements are prepared within a conceptual and regulatory framework requiring an understanding of the role of legislation and of accounting standards. The need to understand and apply necessary controls for accounting systems, and the nature of errors is also covered. There is an introduction to measuring financial performance with the calculation of basic ratios.

Summary of syllabus
Each subject is divided into a number of broad syllabus topics.
A percentage weighting is shown against each syllabus topic and is intended as a guide to the proportion of study time each topic requires.
It is essential that all topics in the syllabus are studied, as all topics will be examined.

Assessments
Format: computer based
Availability: on demand at any of the 5,500 Pearson VUE centres around the world
Length: 2 hours
Questions: BA1, BA2 and BA3 each contain 60 objective test questions, while BA4 contains 85 objective test questions.
Marking: computer marked
Results: provisional result available immediately followed by confirmation no more than 48 hours later

Further information
Objective Tests are comprised of a range of items including short multiple choice questions, number entry questions, drag and drop questions and other formats. In BA2 and BA3 short scenarios may be given to which one or more objective test questions relate.

CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting (2017 syllabus)

Overview
The learning outcomes in this subject reflect the professional standards to be demonstrated for the benefit of all stakeholders. With this in mind, the place of ethics and ethical conflict is an essential underpinning for commercial activity. Ethics is more than just knowing the rules around confidentiality, integrity and objectivity. It’s about identifying ethical dilemmas, understanding the implications and behaving appropriately. It includes the role of corporate governance, corporate social responsibility and audit; and their increasing impact in the management of organisations.
Wherever business is conducted the legal and administrative framework underpins commercial activity. With this in mind the areas of contract law, employment law, administration and management of companies is considered.

Summary of syllabus
Each subject is divided into a number of broad syllabus topics.
A percentage weighting is shown against each syllabus topic and is intended as a guide to the proportion of study time each topic requires.
It is essential that all topics in the syllabus are studied, as all topics will be examined.

Assessments

Format: computer based
Availability: on demand at any of the 5,500 Pearson VUE centres around the world
Length: 2 hours
Questions: BA1, BA2 and BA3 each contain 60 objective test questions, while BA4 contains 85 objective test questions.
Marking: computer marked
Results: provisional result available immediately followed by confirmation no more than 48 hours later

Further information
Objective Tests are comprised of a range of items including short multiple choice questions, number entry questions, drag and drop questions and other formats. In BA2 and BA3 short scenarios may be given to which one or more objective test questions relate.

Operational level

E1 focuses on the structuring of organisations. It covers the structure and principles underpinning the operational functions of the organisation, their efficient management and effective interaction in enabling the organisation to achieve its strategic objectives. It lays the foundation for gaining further insight into both the immediate operating environment and long-term strategic future of organisations, which are covered in E2 and E3.
Summary of syllabus

Each subject is divided into a number of broad syllabus topics.

A percentage weighting is shown against each syllabus topic and is intended as a guide to the proportion of study time each topic requires.

It is essential that all topics in the syllabus are studied, as all topics will be examined. The weightings do not specify the number of marks that will be allocated to topics in the examination.

Assessment

Format: computer based Objective Test
Availability: on demand at any of the 5000 Pearson VUE centres around the world
Length: 90 minutes
Marking: computer marked
Results: provisional result available immediately followed by confirmation no more than 48 hours later

Further information

Objective Tests are comprised of a range of items including short multiple choice questions, number entry questions, drag and drop questions and other formats. They test all component learning outcomes across the whole subject.

Operational level

P1 stresses the importance of costs and the drivers of costs in the production, analysis and use of information for decision making in organisations. The time focus of P1 is the short term. It covers budgeting as a means of short-term planning to execute the strategy of organisations. In addition it provides competencies on how to analyse information on costs, volumes and prices to take short-term decisions on products and services and to develop an understanding on the impact of risk to these decisions. P1 provides the foundation for cost management and the long-term decisions covered in P2.
Summary of syllabus

Each subject is divided into a number of broad syllabus topics.

A percentage weighting is shown against each syllabus topic and is intended as a guide to the proportion of study time each topic requires.

It is essential that all topics in the syllabus are studied, as all topics will be examined. The weightings do not specify the number of marks that will be allocated to topics in the examination.

Assessment

Format: computer based Objective Test
Availability: on demand at any of the 5000 Pearson VUE centres around the world
Length: 90 minutes
Marking: computer marked
Results: provisional result available immediately followed by confirmation no more than 48 hours later

Further information

Objective Tests are comprised of a range of items including short multiple choice questions, number entry questions, drag and drop questions and other formats. They test all component learning outcomes across the whole subject.

Operational level

F1 covers the regulation and preparation of financial statements and how the information contained in them can be used. It provides the competencies required to produce financial statements for both individual entities and groups using appropriate international financial reporting standards. It also gives insight into how to effectively source and manage cash and working capital, which are essential for both the survival and success of organisations. The final part focuses on the basic principles and application of business taxation. The competencies gained from F1 form the basis for developing further insights into producing and analysing complex group accounts (covered in F2) and formulating and implementing financial strategy (covered in F3)
Summary of syllabus

Each subject is divided into a number of broad syllabus topics.

A percentage weighting is shown against each syllabus topic and is intended as a guide to the proportion of study time each topic requires.

It is essential that all topics in the syllabus are studied, as all topics will be examined. The weightings do not specify the number of marks that will be allocated to topics in the examination.

Assessment

Format: computer based Objective Test
Availability: on demand at any of the 5000 Pearson VUE centres around the world
Length: 90 minutes
Marking: computer marked
Results: provisional result available immediately followed by confirmation no more than 48 hours later

Further information

Objective Tests are comprised of a range of items including short multiple choice questions, number entry questions, drag and drop questions and other formats. They test all component learning outcomes across the whole subject.

The focus of Operational level is on the short term. In the Operational Case Study exam, your role will be that of a Finance Officer.

The Case Study exam is essentially a virtual business role play. Therefore, students need to understand their role within the case study exam in order to produce a good answer, demonstrating knowledge and applying skills from across the syllabus.

The table below provides an overview of the role students are expected to take on at Operational Study exam, who they will be seeking to influence and examples of the syllabus area they may be tested upon.

Management level

E2 emphasises a holistic, integrated approach to managing organisations, from external and internal perspectives. It builds on the understanding of organisational structuring gained from E1 and is centred on the concept of strategy and how organisational strategy can be implemented through people, projects, processes and relationships. It provides the basis for developing further insights into how to formulate and implement organisational strategy, which is covered in E3.

Summary of syllabus

Each subject is divided into a number of broad syllabus topics.
A percentage weighting is shown against each syllabus topic and is intended as a guide to the proportion of study time each topic requires.
It is essential that all topics in the syllabus are studied, as all topics will be examined. The weightings do not specify the number of marks that will be allocated to topics in the examination.

Management level

Focusing primarily on the long term, P2 builds on the insights about costs and their drivers (from P1) to provide the competencies needed to analyse, plan and manage costs to support the implementation of the organisation’s strategy. It shows how to manage and control the performance of various units of the organisation in line with both short-term budgets and long-term strategy. Finally, P2 covers investment decision making and the risks associated with such decisions. It provides the basis for developing deeper understanding of various types of risk affecting the strategy and operations of organisations (covered in P3).

Summary of syllabus

Each subject is divided into a number of broad syllabus topics.
A percentage weighting is shown against each syllabus topic and is intended as a guide to the proportion of study time each topic requires.
It is essential that all topics in the syllabus are studied, as all topics will be examined. The weightings do not specify the number of marks that will be allocated to topics in the examination.

Management level

F2 builds on the competencies gained from F1. It covers how to effectively source the long-term finance required to fund the operations of organisations, particularly their capital investments. It also deepens the coverage of financial reporting to more complex aspects of group accounting and analyses the rules governing the recognition and measurement of various elements of the financial statements. Finally it shows how to analyse financial statements to provide insights about the financial performance and position of the organisation over time and in comparison with others.

Summary of syllabus

Each subject is divided into a number of broad syllabus topics.
A percentage weighting is shown against each syllabus topic and is intended as a guide to the proportion of study time each topic requires.
It is essential that all topics in the syllabus are studied, as all topics will be examined. The weightings do not specify the number of marks that will be allocated to topics in the examination.

Assessment

Format: computer based Objective Test
Availability: on demand at any of the 5000 Pearson VUE centres around the world
Length: 90 minutes
Marking: computer marked
Results: provisional result available immediately followed by confirmation no more than 48 hours later

Further information

Objective Tests are comprised of a range of items including short multiple choice questions, number entry questions, drag and drop questions and other formats. They test all component learning outcomes across the whole subject.

The focus of Management level is on the medium term and monitoring and implementation of strategy. In the Management/Gateway Case Study exam, your role will be that of a Finance Manager.
The Case Study exam is essentially a virtual business role play. Therefore, students need to understand their role within the case study exam in order to produce a good answer, demonstrating knowledge and applying skills from across the syllabus.
The table below provides an overview of the role students are expected to take on at Management and Gateway Case Study exam, who they will be seeking to influence and examples of the syllabus area they may be tested upon.

Strategic level

E3 builds on the insights gained from E1 and E2 about how organisations effectively implement their strategies by aligning their structures, people, process, projects and relationships. E3 aims to develop the skills and abilities of the strategic leaders of organisations, enabling them to create the vision and direction for the growth and long-term sustainable success of the organisation. This involves successfully managing and leading change within the process of strategy formulation and implementation.

Summary of syllabus

Each subject is divided into a number of broad syllabus topics.
A percentage weighting is shown against each syllabus topic and is intended as a guide to the proportion of study time each topic requires.
It is essential that all topics in the syllabus are studied, as all topics will be examined. The weightings do not specify the number of marks that will be allocated to topics in the examination.

Strategic level

P3 shows how to identify, evaluate and manage various risks that could adversely affect the implementation of the organisation’s strategy. It provides the competencies required to analyse, evaluate and apply the techniques, processes and internal control systems required to manage risk. This insight is then used to manage the risks associated with both cash flows and capital investment decisions – two important areas of organisational life for which the finance function is responsible.

Summary of syllabus

Each subject is divided into a number of broad syllabus topics.
A percentage weighting is shown against each syllabus topic and is intended as a guide to the proportion of study time each topic requires.
It is essential that all topics in the syllabus are studied, as all topics will be examined. The weightings do not specify the number of marks that will be allocated to topics in the examination.

Strategic level

F3 focuses on the formulation and implementation of financial strategy to support the overall strategy of the organisation. Using insights gained from F1 and F2, it provides the competencies to evaluate the financing requirements of organisations and the relative merits of alternative sources of finance to meet these requirements. Finally, it develops the competencies required to value investment opportunities including the valuation of corporate entities for mergers, acquisitions and divestments.

Summary of syllabus

Each subject is divided into a number of broad syllabus topics.
A percentage weighting is shown against each syllabus topic and is intended as a guide to the proportion of study time each topic requires.
It is essential that all topics in the syllabus are studied, as all topics will be examined. The weightings do not specify the number of marks that will be allocated to topics in the examination.

Assessment

Format: computer based Objective Test
Availability: on demand at any of the 5000 Pearson VUE centres around the world
Length: 90 minutes
Marking: computer marked
Results: provisional result available immediately followed by confirmation no more than 48 hours later

Further information

Objective Tests are comprised of a range of items including short multiple choice questions, number entry questions, drag and drop questions and other formats. They test all component learning outcomes across the whole subject.

The focus of Strategic level is on the long term and setting the strategy for the business. In the Strategic Case Study exam, your role will be that of a Senior Finance Manager.
The Case Study exam is essentially a virtual business role play. Therefore, students need to understand their role within the case study exam in order to produce a good answer, demonstrating knowledge and applying skills from across the syllabus.
The table below provides an overview of the role students are expected to take on at Strategic Study exam, who they will be seeking to influence and examples of the syllabus area they may be tested upon.