For Thomas Draggon, CGMA, the decision to embark on the journey of CIMA’s CGMA Professional Qualification was the spark that completely changed his career trajectory and opened doors he once thought out of reach. Ultimately, it was structure and resilience that led Thomas to achieve Chartered Global Management Accountant® (CGMA) qualification and CIMA membership.
A crucial role in management accounting
Today, Thomas works as a management accountant, a role that places him at the heart of his organisation’s financial operations.
Reporting to a range of stakeholders, Thomas is responsible for delivering insightful month-end reports, managing working capital, and monitoring cash flow. His duties are varied, ranging from transactional tasks, such as invoicing, to ad hoc projects for the finance manager and CFO.
‘No two days are quite the same’, Thomas said, ‘and I thrive on the challenge of bringing clarity and value to complex financial data.’
Pursuing CIMA: Rising to the challenge
For Thomas, the decision to pursue CIMA’s CGMA Professional Qualification and earn the CGMA qualification was driven by ambition and wanting to challenge himself professionally. ‘I wanted to earn a respected qualification within the [profession] and become part of a global accountancy body’, he said.
The process of becoming CGMA qualified was both challenging and rewarding, he reflected. ‘Every setback led to self-reflection, with a greater determination to continue. Every success was additional fuel to progress throughout the qualification’, Thomas said.
Earning the CGMA qualification has had a significant impact on Thomas’s career. Not only has it given him the technical know-how, power skills, and professional credibility to excel in his career, but it has also expanded his professional network.
‘The CGMA qualification has opened up opportunities to network with like-minded professionals’, he shared. ‘Whilst providing career advancement that wasn't possible beforehand.’
Balancing work and study through the power of structure
Managing a high-pressure professional role while studying with CIMA is no small feat.
For Thomas, effective time management was essential throughout his study journey. ‘Enrolling in a structured evening course helped, but knowing when to switch off was just as important’, he explained.
Thomas credits the flexibility of studying with CIMA for supporting his ambitions, allowing him to work towards his goals at a pace that suited his career and life circumstances.
‘CIMA has supported my career aspirations by providing a clear career path that has helped with navigating the accounting and finance profession’, Thomas said.
Advice for aspiring CIMA members
The journey to the CGMA qualification is not a sprint, but a marathon, Thomas acknowledged. His advice to those on the starting lines studying with CIMA is both practical and heartfelt: ‘Understand your style of learning and structure your studies around this. Be patient and persevere. There are lots of soft skills that CIMA teaches its students. Resilience is one of them.’
Thomas’s story is a testament to how becoming CGMA qualified can alter your career trajectory and open new paths to success. His journey offers both inspiration and practical advice for those contemplating their next step. The path may not always be easy, but with determination, structure, and support from CIMA, exciting career opportunities await.
Hear more insights from CIMA members, including this LinkedIn post from Sylvie Frankel, MBA, ACMA, CGMA, and learn more about CIMA’s CGMA Professional Qualification.
