January 2025
John Bennett discusses the advantages of signing up to CIMA’s CGMA Finance Leadership Programme (FLP) to enhance your accountancy career Historically, CIMA exams were rigid, requiring candidates to pass all their exams in just one sitting with a six- month wait to retake any failed ones.
In 2015, CIMA introduced more flexible, on-demand objective test exams and aimed at speeding up the qualification process. While this worked for some, others found the lack of fixed deadlines challenging and found it easy to defer.
For those who struggle with exams, CIMA’S CGMA FLP offers an alternative approach.
Rather than sitting numerous objective tests, learners build their knowledge through continuous assessment, with just three case study exams, one at the end of each level.
This eliminates the need to sit up to 12 exams, providing a more streamlined route to the CGMA qualification. The programme operates on a subscription model, granting access to all qualification levels and allowing learners to progress at their own pace.
While the programme offers greater flexibility it demands discipline. Without regular exam deadlines there is a risk of letting studies slip – so commitment is essential. To support learners, the FLP Skills Premium programme offers live online tutorials led by experienced CIMA tutors. These sessions focus on linking technical content to case study scenarios, helping learners develop the practical skills needed in real-world situations.
In addition, the programme includes a Case Study Review Course (CSRC), just before your case study sitting, that revisits key topics and applies them to the pre-seen CIMA exam material. Learners also benefit from three mock exams, designed to replicate actual exam conditions. These are marked and returned with feedback, offering invaluable preparation and insight into areas needing improvement.
For further assistance, learners can access the Academic Support team which are available outside of regular hours to answer technical queries. The CGMA FLP has produced excellent results and is a faster, fully supported pathway to achieving CIMA’S CGMA qualification.
For those ready to advance their career, or employers seeking to upskill their teams, CIMA’s CGMA professional qualification, via the FLP or traditional routes, offers an excellent opportunity.
For more information contact Kaplan’s Student Services team at student.services@kaplan.co.uk.
- John Bennett is a tutor at Kaplan
