CIMA ® Apprentice hits the sweet spot

Management accounting blends traditional financial accounting with innovative, boundary-pushing approaches to advise business leaders. In addition to strengthening your ability to serve as a trusted adviser, qualifying for the CGMA® designation is perfect if you seek a more entrepreneurial path within an organisation.

Qualification for the Chartered Global Management Accounting® (CGMA) designation has many pathways, including apprenticeships. Apprenticeship applicants must live in England and find a relevant employer and training provider to be eligible. Current apprenticeship vacancies are regularly advertised on the Association’s Global Careers Hub.

Eligible apprentices include school leavers age 16 or over, graduates, professionals and existing CGMA candidates with 12 months remaining in their studies.

Study to qualify for the CGMA designation

Apprentices earn a competitive wage in a finance role with a relevant employer. Support packages to help apprentices with their study commitments are also included.

Hannah Smith, CGMA, excelled during her apprenticeship with the confectionery giant Nestlé. She is now employed there as a full-time financial analyst, made possible by the company's willingness to immediately involve Hannah in its corporate setup.

‘All the opportunities I’ve asked for’

It wasn’t long before Hannah grasped a finance professional's everyday roles and responsibilities, all within a globally renowned organisation.

‘From the first day with my employer, I was given real-life responsibilities, real-life training. Everything you do has an impact. It can be daunting, but it makes you shine’, said Hannah.

As perthe official funding rules from the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), Hannah detailed her 20% off the job training which allowed her adequate time to study for her upcoming exams.

‘During my 20% off-the-job training, I studied for my exams and looked at the theory behind what I was doing in my everyday job, which helped everything slot into place’.

Hannah wasn't an exception in her company, with former apprentices within the organisation regularly offering advice.

‘Plenty of other people within the business have gone through similar experiences who can often give you advice and even guidance on the exams’, she said. ‘They've [Nestlé] supported my study leave and given me all the opportunities I've asked for’.

Hannah doesn't discredit the value of an academic degree. However, she questioned the more traditional academic route compared to fellow apprentices in a competitive job market.

‘Most of my friends went to university, and they've got great degrees, but they haven't got the real-life office experience to back it up with. I have got that advantage on my shoulders now’.

Kick-start your apprenticeship journey

Apprenticeships provide paid placements at leading companies that nurture your accounting and finance aspirations.

Hannah Nestle apprenticeship B2C

Tagged in:

Study to qualify for the CGMA designation

‘All the opportunities I’ve asked for’

Kick-start your apprenticeship journey

Explore how to follow in Hannah’s footsteps with CIMA’s Apprenticeships.

Explore more

Virgin Media Guest Blog 1: Starting the finance graduate scheme at Virgin Media

Virgin Media Guest Blog 6: Laura's year in review