CIMA – Chartered Institute of Management Accountants course in Sri Lanka – A quick guide

Feb 03, 2010 16 Comments by KalanaTennakoon

CIMA is considered as one of the most recognized Professional Qualifications in Sri Lanka. CIMA Sri Lanka operates under CIMA UK which is the global headquarters. Currently there are thousands CIMA students in Sri Lanka while 95% CIMA qualified persons are employed in business sector. Most of them hold positions as top CEOs and top class managers. Rest 5% assumed to be in final years of their undergraduate courses.

CIMA Course content

CIMA mainly focus on Management Accounting. But ii has a broader coverage under three subject area pillars such as

Management Accounting Pillar
Financial Accounting Pillar
Business Management Pillar



A student has to follow ten subjects i.e three subjects in each pillar upon completion of Foundation level. The overall CIMA syllabus focuses mainly on Financial Management. Basically there are five levels such as Foundation, Operational Level, Managerial Level, Strategic Level and TOP CIMA. Foundation Level is also known as CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting. It consist of five papers namely

Fundamentals of Management Accounting- Focus on cost behavior, standard costing, control etc,.
Fundamentals of Financial Accounting-Focus on Accounting basics and final accounts of Sole enterprise
Fundamentals of Business Mathematics-Focus on Basic Mathematics, Probability, Forecasting etc,.
Fundamentals of Business Economics-Focus on Market system, micro and macro economics etc,.
Fundamentals of Ethics, Corporate governance and Business Law-Focus on Laws of contract and   Employment, Ethics, Corporate governance, Company administration etc,.

A student can either follow formal tuition classes or can do self studying at home. There are standard text books published by CIMA and available at leading bookshops in Sri Lanka. The examination for foundation level is a Computer Based Examination (Online exam). They consist of several MCQs and OTQs. Students can results immediately upon completion. There are Computer Bases Assessment Centers (CBA) in all leading Tuition classes and in CIMA Sri Lanka Division, Narahenpita.  Foundation Level exams can be taken during any time of year.

Who can start CIMA

CIMA student base consist of school children to graduates and also employees. The minimum entry requirement is to be more than 16 years old. However its recommended to start CIMA upon completion of GCE Ordinary Level Examination. Most of university undergraduates follow CIMA as their professional qualification. Any student can start CIMA regardless of their knowledge on this area. Majority of Engineering Undergraduates study CIMA as their secondary qualification. Graduates are also eligible for exemptions at Foundation Level.

The cost for completing CIMA dependent upon method of studying. An average student can complete CIMA within Rs 300,000/- to RS 400,000/-. Registering for CIMA can be done online with several simple steps. You can visit  www.cimaglobal.com for further details.

Tuition classes for CIMA available in Colombo and other main cities. You can select a full time timetable or part time timetable depending on your occupation. Classes for each level usually scheduled for 6 months starting on December and May. CIMA exams are held twice a year under guidance of Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka.  A student can complete CIMA within 2 ½ to 3 years.

Job prospects for CIMA

The conventional career goal of CIMA was Chartered Management Accountant. However sense CIMA course covers areas like HR, Marketing, IT & IS, Operational Management, Project Management and Strategic management there are plenty of job opportunities in Sri Lanka.

Contact details of CIMA Sri Lanka Division

Colombo:
356 Elvitigala Mawatha, Colombo 05

Kandy:
254 Peradeniya Road, Kandy, Sri Lanka
Tel: 00 94 (0) 11 250 3880 (Colombo) 00 94 (0) 81 222 7882 / 7883 (Kandy)
Fax: 00 94 (0) 11 250 3881 (Colombo) 00 94 (0) 81 220 3843 (Kandy)

Email: colombo@cimaglobal.com kandy@cimaglobal.com

CIMA Tuition providers (CIMA Classes) in Sri Lanka

Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka – Colombo

Knowledge Base Business Studies (Pvt) Ltd – Dehiwala

Academy of Business Studies (Pvt) Ltd – Colombo

Academy of Management Education -  Mount Lavina T:4510101

Achievers Lanka Business School – Colombo T:5321321

South Asian Institute of Technology and Management – Malabe

Imperial College (ICBS) – Colombo T:4515353

Mercury Institute of Management – Colombo T:2370643

AG School of Business & Computing Studies Pvt Ltd -  Negombo T:031 2227970

Virtual Business School – Colombo T: 0777 666949

MIIT Education – Kandy T:081 2222876

Wisdom Business Academy (Private) Limited – Colombo T:2370995

MCS – Jaffna T:021 2226373

Related Courses:

Online degrees in Sri Lanka
External degrees in Sri Lanka
Educational Loans by Sri Lankan banks
MBA degree programs
National Institute of Business Management-NIBM
Sri Lanka Law College
Open university of Sri Lanka

Author: Kalana Tennakoon:

KalanaKalana is a final year undergraduate of University of Sri Jayewardenepura. He passed Finalist of CImA (UK) at age of 23 in May 2009. Find out more about him on twitter (@kalanatenakoon) or http://www.facebook.com/kalana.tennakoon.

Courses, Schools, careers

About the author

Chartered Management Accountant

16 Responses to “CIMA – Chartered Institute of Management Accountants course in Sri Lanka – A quick guide”

  1. Sampath says:

    I know there is a strong CIMA student base and tuition community in Sri Lanka.

    But in the global level you cannot match the employment prospects you get in countries such as Britain for Chartered Accountants. .

  2. Kalana says:

    Dear Sampath,
    There are plenty of jobs in UK foe CIMA qualifieds. All are with GBP five figure salaries. Please visit http://www.cimaglobal.com or any other browser.

  3. Kalana says:

    Dear Sampath,
    The survey shows the average data of CIMA qualified professionals. Visit http://www.cimaglobal.com/Documents/Jobs-docs/CIMA_Qualified_salary_survey_UK_18.08.09.pdf

  4. Kumarasinghe says:

    Sri Lankan Chartered accountacy course is cheaper compared to CIMA. But I think CIMA is well recognized in Sri Lanka and abroad.

  5. Kalana says:

    Yes Sri Lankan Chartered Accountancy course more focus on Financial Accounting. But CIMA focus on Financial management. CIMA qualifieds are assumed to be having a strong analytical and presentation skills compared to local Chartered.

  6. ajit says:

    Thanks for CIMA info. I am planning for courses after my a/l these days, Managment seems to be good option.

  7. anjana says:

    im still to do o/ls this year, still 16. i heared about that CIMA foundation after O/Ls? how much time period is going to complete it? or is there any certificates awarded?

  8. Kalana says:

    Anjana,
    yes you can start CIMA foundation just after your o/ls. O/L results are not needed however you shouldhave that maturity level to start CIMA. You can finish foundation from 6 months and a certificate will be awarded. it’s a qualification of its own.

  9. Dulanga says:

    I’m going to do A/l this year.After that I”m planning to study Cima. But I don’t know what is the best institution for study Cima in Sri Lanka. Also i need to know what institution got the highest pass rate. Can we find a job for just for cima qualifications, Or need another qualifications too? What institution is most famous for the Cima?

  10. Sakunika says:

    i think the wosdom is the best.

  11. Darci Seib says:

    Hola cheers for the entry.

  12. Sankalpana Ambuldeniya says:

    Sankalpana

    I choose Achievers Lanka Business School. Can I know how I can register for CIMA?

  13. Kalana says:

    Sankalpana,
    visit http://www.cimaglobal.com/Study-with-us/Register-as-a-student/ and you can register online. Registration fee is reduced now(60 GBP). Also you have to pay an annual subsription at that time.
    Contact me in case 077-6045611

  14. Viraji says:

    Pls let me know how much paid for starting , and when it begining

  15. Kalana says:

    Viraji,
    you do not need to register with CIMA UK to start learning CIMA. You can follow tuition classes for foundation level by paying only class fees. The duration would be 5-6 months depending on the institute. Tuition fees for foundation would be roughly 30000/- but most instutes accept part payments. Next batch will start on September.
    Before doing the exam you can register with CIMA London. Plz go through the advice given to Sankalpana.

  16. Viraji says:

    thank’s kalana

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