Why CIMA Applicants Are Valued by Employers

Employers anticipate that CIMA-qualified candidates will have the technical, business, leadership, and people capabilities necessary to drive that transition process. Due to the business-responsive skill sets and knowledge that have been included over time into the CIMA syllabus, employers are convinced that individuals with the CIMA designation can assist their organizations survive and prosper in the business environment.  

Employers Value CIMA Qualified Job Applicants and Employees for the Following 11 Reasons

Today's business landscape is one of growing unpredictability. They demand the capacity and willingness to alter and modify as circumstances change. Additionally, it is obvious that change is advancing at an ever-increasing rate. According to the CIMA website, "Businesses require a new agility to stay competitive in today's complex and fast-paced world," and "Management accountants are key to managing and exploitation change on this scale."

Your prospective employers know that. And they also know, and expect CIMA qualified professionals to possess the skill sets needed to lead that change process, including technical, business, leadership and people skills. Employers are confident that CIMA professionals can help their organizations survive and thrive in the world of business due to the business responsive skill sets and knowledge that have been built into the CIMA syllabus over time.

So here’s why prospective employers value CIMA qualified job applicants and employees:

1. Solid analytical skills and financial expertise

These are a given considering the long-term reputation of CIMA as well as the revised syllabus and assessments that makes the qualification even more relevant to a fast-changing world. Any employer expects these solid technical and analytical skills from CIMA qualified employees.  

2. Strategic thinking skills

Chartered Management Accountants are trained to look forward, not just backward or at the present time. This is why your employer expects more from you than your mere technical and accounting skills. Whether you are joining as a qualified Management Accountant, financial analyst or management trainee, your strategic thinking skills will be invaluable to your employer. This is especially so for those seeking leadership and management positions. Your employer expects you to pull on your strategic thinking cap from time to time. The more comfortable you are doing that, the more value you may add to yourself and to your employer organization.

3. Knowledge of operational processes

In today’s business, no division, operational or support (such as accounting and finance) can operate in isolation. According to Gartner, the most competitive firms in any industry are those that learn to orchestrate their different business functions—supply chain, manufacturing, marketing, sales, customer service, finance and all support services—seamlessly to provide a smooth customer experience. Your knowledge of overall business and operational processes including finance will be immensely valuable in leading this demand driven value network integration.  

Indeed, CIMA graduates have an edge over most other professionals in this regard because they are trained to learn about the different aspects of a business as part of their training.

4. Ability to take a business-wide point of view

Whether your designation is Management Accountant or otherwise, you’d be called upon to take a strategic view and look at the overall picture in order to improve your employer’s business operations. This ability is taken for granted, because of points 2 And 3 noted above. Be ready to prove your worth in this regard. And your value within the business will escalate.

5. Professionalism and business ethics

Again, this is often taken for granted. Chartered Management Accountants are considered consummate professionals and treated as such. Be ready for the demands that will be placed on your professionalism and business ethics.

6. Management and leadership skills

This is where that “Management” part of your Management Accounting training and designation will come in useful. A qualification in management accounting is a great foundation for managerial and leadership positions. That is why the CIMA syllabus places great emphasis on leadership and people skills. Your employers know that.

7. Great communication skills

The fact that you qualified and gained membership of a global professional organization like CIMA comes with the expectation that you must possess excellent written communication skills and analytical skills. Make sure to match your verbal communication skills to be on par with that expectation and you cannot go wrong in your career.

8. Proven problem-solving skills

Prospective employers know that CIMA qualified professionals have been thoroughly tested in their problem-solving skills. That is what the case studies in your course were all about. Your employers will be ready and willing to draw upon your problem-solving skills on a regular basis. Be ready.

9. Confidence

With all of the above qualities that an employer takes for granted, must come confidence. You are expected to have confidence in your own professionalism, skills and expertise to rise to any occasion when called upon to do so.

10. Change leaders

The CIMA syllabus is meant to equip you with all the necessary skills and expertise to make you a great change leader who can help chart your employer’s business through turbulent waters. CIMA qualified change leaders know to draw upon all they have learnt, analyze their employer’s business and its business environment or specific situation to lead change when called upon to do so.

11. Continuing Education

Your education does not end when you receive your CIMA membership. It is just a beginning of a career that should be enhanced with continuous learning on the job, through courses and reading. This too is something your prospective employers will expect of you.

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