Question on the CIMA Exemptions

JayW95

Hi All,

I've recently completed AAT Level 3, just started Level 4 this month. Currently working in Industry and plan on staying in Industry for my career so naturally I'm thinking after AAT Level 4 I'd like to work towards the CIMA qual.

My question is regarding the CIMA exams I would be allowed exemption from with a Level 4 AAT. Do you think it would be worth it to take them anyway? Part of me believes that I need to get the qualification under my belt and that it could be an unnecessary expense. Another part of me thinks that it would give me an insight into how CIMA frame things differently to AAT. As an apprentice I'm also taking a Level 4 qual in Business Skills for Accountants (my college have told me this was implemented about 2 years ago) which from what I've looked into so far is leaning more towards what CIMA is about?

I started AAT from Level 2 (my sixth form didn't offer an A Level in Accounting) and, whilst the year was not mentally challenging, it proved to set a good overall foundation on how AAT functioned. My worry is that skipping out on the exams in CIMA could mean me potentially missing out on something similar.

Any advice regarding CIMA in general, information regarding the exams I would be exempt from, and the experiences from those who took the exemptions and those who didn't take them would be extremely helpful. Unfortunately I currently work in a relatively small business where my manager didn't take CIMA and my FD went into CIMA via the graduate route, so there is only so much I can ask; although both have proven extremely useful with my studies.

Apologies for what seems like an overly detailed question I just wanted to try and cover all of the bases regarding this.

Thanks in advance.

Sharon123

I did the first level CIMA exams then changed jobs and qualified with AAT as it was more relevant for my work though I have since moved on again. The AAT qualification would have exempted me from the CIMA qualification that I have. My personal opinion would be to carry on to full AAT then move to CIMA. AAT is well respected in the workplace and well worth having under your belt. CIMA has the potential to take you further but it would take much longer to get a professional qualification. I work as an accountant in industry.

Risa81

I would complete AAT, that will give you exemptions from the certificate level of CIMA (5 papers). I personally think that AAT will give you a better foundation to start CIMA.

JayW95

Thanks for the replies, I was planning on completing AAT otherwise the last 2 years would have felt like a waste IMO. The papers I'd have exemptions from... Do you think they would be worth taking anyway? Just in case there is anything different to the way CIMA teach that may prove beneficial?