Recent dilemma: CIMA or ACCA — OpenTuition Forums

Mmanonaseriousmission14y ago

To increase my chances of getting useful tip/nifo, I'm reposting this on this group and I'll appreciate your help.

Okay, so my issue is whether to do CIMA first before doing ACCA.

I intend to further my career in either of the two... CIMA appeals to me more based on the syllabus and my personal interest cum background, but ACCA appeals to me on the prospect side of things (e.g. increased pay, higher recognition of qualification, people's somewhat convincing albeit biased affinity toward ACCA over CIMA, etc.).
I've got to say, this is one of the biggest decisions I have had to make in my career life and I hope someone will be able to provide some useful information/advice/suggestions regarding this.
Thanks all :)

Ggabriel14y ago#1

Dear manonaseriousmission,

i think the right answer will largely depend on what you valued most. if it's about career prospect, i'll advice you go for ACCA. I'm not anyway insinuating ACCA is of greater value than CIMA but you must take a look at job adverts in recents times & you'll be able to decide for yourself.

If you aim is to self employed, CIMA may be more appealling.

Like i mentioned earlier, it's depend on what you valued most.

best wishes my friend!

Aalisharifazadeh14y ago#2

It all depends on your own preferences my friend.

With CIMA qualification, you should be looking for a business employer to hire you, as you will be a management accountant who delivers highly sought-after advice to the management of the company.

With ACCA, I think you're better in tax/audit fields and practice. You can become an independent auditor and/or tax consultant and a varied category of clients, from public listed companies shareholders for audit to rich people for tax planning/advice, might well seek/hire you.

In a nutshell, if you want to become a management accountant go for CIMA, but if you want to become a financial accountant/auditor/tax consultant, ACCA is the right qualification to pursue.

I wish you all the best,

Ali

Mmanonaseriousmission13y ago#3

Thanx to all of you for your kind contributions. Sorry for this abysmally late response (after 3 months).. I got so lost in the hoo-haa of what course to go for that I didn't even remember to come back to the forum - just accidentally came by my question today :)
I reason with your views, as they are each valid. I have decided to look at the bigger picture in terms of depth of financial/accounting understanding, and have gone for ACCA. I figured that the prospects may be more doing ACCA, and even if I decide later on to go more into management accounting, I could do so much easily having had an ACCA background than if I had to go from CIMA into any specialised role via ACCA.
I wish me, and you all, the very best in all career endeavours.
Cheers

Former user13y ago#4

if u are good at management accounting and love it,i will recomend that u study CIMA ut it is a specialised area

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