acca vs cima

*Data Input* officer

I'm comtemplating one over the other at the moment. With ACCA you get exemptions from modules F1-F3 but with CIMA you get the whole "certificate stage" exempt. I will never work in practise. I've got plenty of experience as an Assistant Management Accountant in the public sector now. After exemptions ACCA has 11 exams and CIMA has 10. So would any of you choose ACCA over CIMA or vice versa ?

SandyHood

I have been told by our exCIMA students that 2 years after qualifying they are invited to join ACCA. No further exams just the membership fees.
I think ACCA do the same.

On that basis, you could have both 2 years after qualifying with either.
So look at the exam content and choose the one you like the look of.

*Sarah*

Thanks for that Sandy, I had no idea you could do it without sitting some of the final level exams too

mark130273

think it depends on which branch of accounting you wish to go into ?

Gem7321

mark130273 wrote: »

think it depends on which branch of accounting you wish to go into ?

*Data Input* officer wrote: »

I will never work in practise. I've got plenty of experience as an Assistant Management Accountant in the public sector now.

Both are suited to industry accounting. I agree with Sandy, take a look at the syllabus

mark130273

but have been told that cima no good in a practice !

Gem7321

No it's not, but they've already said they will never work in practice (see my 1st reply with the quote)

mark130273

ohh right.........sorry..........

axl2derv

As a qualified member of ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA you may currently apply for membership of the ICAEW if you meet the following eligibility criteria*:

* A qualified member of ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA for at least 5 years.
* No disciplinary record with your current professional and regulatory bodies.
* Be compliant with your current professional body's continuing professional development requirement.
* You must be sponsored by two ICAEW members who have known you for at least three years.

Sonny_L

Some CIMA's work in practice. Consultancy roles at the big 4 for instance. CIMA is popular for this type of work.

Dean

axl2derv wrote: »

As a qualified member of ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA you may currently apply for membership of the ICAEW if you meet the following eligibility criteria*:

* A qualified member of ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA for at least 5 years.
* No disciplinary record with your current professional and regulatory bodies.
* Be compliant with your current professional body's continuing professional development requirement.
* You must be sponsored by two ICAEW members who have known you for at least three years.

Even with membership of those bodies I think you are still required to sit the 3 exams from the advanced stage.

Regards

Dean

*Sarah*

Dean wrote: »

Even with membership of those bodies I think you are still required to sit the 3 exams from the advanced stage.

Regards

Dean

Thats what I thought too

Esme

Do they both take about 3 years to complete if you are AAT qualified?

*Sarah*

Esme wrote: »

Do they both take about 3 years to complete if you are AAT qualified?

I would say on average yes

Paul24

Esme wrote: »

Do they both take about 3 years to complete if you are AAT qualified?

The normal route for an AAT student progressing to CIMA (to the best of my knowledge) is to sit two exams per sitting at managerial level three strat egic papers at the following sitting, then TOPCIMA. This in total would be two years, assuming first time passes all the way through.

It is possible to complete managerial in two sittings by taking three exams per sitting, but I do believe that this is the most common approach.

Paul