E1 focuses on the structuring of organisations. It covers the structure and principles of underpinning the operational functions of the organisation, their efficient management and effective interaction in enabling the organisation to achieve its strategic objective.

It lays the foundation for gaining further insight in both the immediate operating environment and long-term strategic future of organisations which are covered in E2 and E3.

Topics covered

You’ll learn about the role of finance in organisations, the structure and shape of the finance function, how the finance function interacts with the organisation to create and preserve value, data usage by the finance function and the technology landscape and its impact on organisations and the finance function.

Course content:

• Role of the finance function
• Technology in a digital world
• Data and information in a digital world
• Shape and structure of the finance function
• Finance interacting with the organisation

• Dates:

   The Professional qualification is made up of two types of computer-based assessments:
  • 90 minute objective tests for each of the three subjects within each level - these are on demand and can be taken all year
  • A three hour case study exam when you have completed all objective tests and want to progress to the next level - these are available in four windows a year. Exams are available for five days from Tuesday to Saturday. View the current exam timetable.

• Scheduling:

   Objective tests are available all year. We recommend that you schedule an exam at least 2 weeks in advance.

• Locations:

   CIMA is working in partnership with Pearson VUE who have over 5,000 test centres in 178 countries. Find your nearest Pearson VUE centre.

• Duration:

   Objective tests are 90 minutes. Case study exams are 3 hours

• Exam requirements:

   You must pass (or be exempt from) all three objective tests at a level before you can move onto the case study exam. When you have passed the case study exam you can move onto the next level and start the objective tests for that level. The Strategic Level case study exam is the last exam that you will take.

• Pass marks:

   For information on pass marks for objective tests and case studies, please visit www.cimaglobal.com/results.

• More information:

   Visit the CIMA exam preparation page.

You must have completed all 4 papers in the Certificate Level before progressing on to the Operational Level. AAT qualified students will be exempt from the Certificate Level and proceed straight to the Operational Level. Degree students may qualify for exemptions from the Operational Level depending on the content of your degree.

Students who have completed Operational Level in the 2010 (or earlier) syllabus will progress to the next level. Students who are mid-way through a level, will need to complete any outstanding Objective Tests at that level, as well as the newly introduced Integrated Case Study, at that level. For more details please visit: www.cimaglobal.com/exemptions.

P1 stresses the importance of costs and 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.

Topics covered

You’ll learn the importance of costs in the production, analysis and use of information for decision-making in companies. P1 covers short-term budgeting, and making short-term decisions on products and services, as well as digital issues in costing.

Course content:

• Cost accounting systems
• Budget and budgetary control
• Short term decision making
• Dealing with uncertainty in the short term

• Dates:

   The Professional qualification is made up of two types of computer-based assessments:
  • 90 minute objective tests for each of the three subjects within each level - these are on demand and can be taken all year
  • A three hour case study exam when you have completed all objective tests and want to progress to the next level - these are available in four windows a year. Exams are available for five days from Tuesday to Saturday. View the current exam timetable.

• Scheduling:

   Objective tests are available all year. We recommend that you schedule an exam at least 2 weeks in advance.

• Locations:

   CIMA is working in partnership with Pearson VUE who have over 5,000 test centres in 178 countries. Find your nearest Pearson VUE centre.

• Duration:

   Objective tests are 90 minutes. Case study exams are 3 hours

• Exam requirements:

   You must pass (or be exempt from) all three objective tests at a level before you can move onto the case study exam. When you have passed the case study exam you can move onto the next level and start the objective tests for that level. The Strategic Level case study exam is the last exam that you will take.

• Pass marks:

   For information on pass marks for objective tests and case studies, please visit cimaglobal.com/results.

• More information:

   Visit the CIMA exam preparation page.

You must have completed all 5 papers in the Certificate Level before progressing on to the Operational Level. AAT qualified students will be exempt from the Certificate Level and proceed straight to the Operational Level. Degree students may qualify for exemptions from the Operational Level depending on the content of your degree.

Students who have completed Operational Level in the 2010 (or earlier) syllabus will progress to the next level. Students who are mid-way through a level, will need to complete any outstanding Objective Tests at that level, as well as the newly introduced Integrated Case Study, at that level. For more details please visit: cimaglobal.com/exemptions.

F1 covers the regulations 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).

Topics covered

You’ll learn about the regulation and preparation of financial statements, giving you the skills to produce basic financial statements for individuals. You’ll also learn about working capital and business tax.

Course content:

• Regulatory Environment
• Financial Statements
• Principles of taxation
• Managing Working Capital

• Dates:

   The Professional qualification is made up of two types of computer-based assessments:
  • 90 minute objective tests for each of the three subjects within each level - these are on demand and can be taken all year
  • A three hour case study exam when you have completed all objective tests and want to progress to the next level - these are available in four windows a year. Exams are available for five days from Tuesday to Saturday. View the current exam timetable.

• Scheduling:

   Objective tests are available all year. We recommend that you schedule an exam at least 2 weeks in advance.

• Locations:

   CIMA is working in partnership with Pearson VUE who have over 5,000 test centres in 178 countries. Find your nearest Pearson VUE centre.

• Duration:

   Objective tests are 90 minutes. Case study exams are 3 hours

• Exam requirements:

   You must pass (or be exempt from) all three objective tests at a level before you can move onto the case study exam. When you have passed the case study exam you can move onto the next level and start the objective tests for that level. The Strategic Level case study exam is the last exam that you will take.

• Pass marks:

   For information on pass marks for objective tests and case studies, please visit cimaglobal.com/results.

• More information:

   Visit the CIMA exam preparation page.

You must have completed all 5 papers in the Certificate Level before progressing on to the Operational Level. AAT qualified students will be exempt from the Certificate Level and proceed straight to the Operational Level. Degree students may qualify for exemptions from the Operational Level depending on the content of your degree.

Students who have completed Operational Level in the 2010 (or earlier) syllabus will progress to the next level. Students who are mid-way through a level, will need to complete any outstanding Objective Tests at that level, as well as the newly introduced Integrated Case Study, at that level. For more details please visit: cimaglobal.com/exemptions.

In an increasingly digital world, rapid changes in technology are creating challenges for the business models of organisations. It is also making it difficult for business leaders and employees to create and preserve sustainable value. Against this digital backdrop, it is imperative that finance professionals possess relevant technical skills, a sound understanding of their organisation, as well as the ability to influence and lead people. This will make them capable of providing the insight their organisations need to craft and successfully execute their strategies. 

The 2019 syllabus continues to bridge the skills gap of newly qualified finance professionals worldwide, meeting the employability needs of both business and people. In designing the syllabus, we set out to enhance the relevance of the syllabus to employers; ensure the rigour of the related examinations and align the learning experience of candidates to the real world.

The Operational level focuses on short term decision making. You’ll be able to work with others in your organisation and use appropriate data and technology to translate medium term decisions into short term actionable plans.

At the Operational level, the role simulated is that of an Entry level finance professional and the capstone Case Study Examination provides a simulated context, which allows candidates to demonstrate that they have acquired the required knowledge, skills, techniques and mindset for that role.

For further details please follow the examination blueprints. Link here

Please note that in order to sit the case study exam, you will need to have passed all of the objective test papers at the relevant level.

From February 2020 the exam window will run from Wednesday to Friday in the week of the relevant level. Please follow this link for more details as well as CIMA’s entry deadlines. 

CIMA Exam Timetable

If you have sat exams that you feel may give you exemptions from the case study please check with CIMA. Full details can be found in the link below.

CIMA Exemptions