The CGMA® qualification can open expansive career paths while offering opportunities to work globally and grow your professional ambitions. That has certainly been true for Lewis Dolman, ACMA, CGMA.
As a CGMA professional, Lewis has gone from financial controller at a software business to head of finance at a UK-based engineering firm with a global presence, demonstrating the doors that can open with professional growth, hard work, and self-belief.
For anyone hesitant to take the next step towards the CGMA qualification, Lewis’s story exemplifies that the journey can be challenging, but the reward is lasting and far-reaching.
Setting out with purpose and ambition
For Lewis, his drive to earn the CGMA qualification was rooted in a desire for career advancement and to gain competency and confidence.
‘Competency in my craft and having confidence in my knowledge and ability’, he explained, were at the heart of his motivation. Achieving a respected, global qualification meant he could prove his value in any organisation.
His ambitions also went further than developing technical skills. Lewis wanted a qualification that would travel with him. ‘Achieving a global qualification so that the world could be my oyster’ was what drew him to CIMA®, he said. Making his family and friends proud of him was also a significant motivator in his pursuit of the CGMA qualification.
The CGMA qualification brings versatility and a global perspective
Lewis’s professional path has underscored the versatility of the CGMA qualification.
At the time of completing his studies, he was a financial controller for a software business. Today, as the head of finance at IPM Group, an engineering firm with a global footprint, his expertise extends beyond a single industry. In his role, Lewis oversees global finances, leading consolidation efforts and managing group-wide systems.
He now travels to places like Japan, Singapore, and Dubai, collaborating with local financial controllers to deliver group-level reporting.
Being nimble and able to adapt to new challenges is, in his view, a hallmark of the CGMA qualification.
‘The qualification is respected across the world and indicates the value I can add to any organisation’, he said.
Navigating the balance: Work, study, and life
Balancing demanding work responsibilities with the rigours of exams is a challenge that Lewis knows well. He began studying with CIMA in 2021 while also working as a finance manager.
‘It was obviously tough as I was developing my career whilst learning’, he said. What made the difference was the support he received from his employer. Lewis was given dedicated time off, allowing him to focus solely on his studies.
In preparation for particularly challenging exams, he also used his annual leave to give himself extra time and headspace.
The nature of his study routes, which was primarily classroom-based with tuition provider Kaplan, also meant regular travel. Yet Lewis found ways to use the travel time to his advantage: ‘Travelling round the country for classroom studies meant I had valuable time on trains and in hotel rooms to catch up on my responsibilities. I remember vividly loading data for an ERP migration in a hotel room the night before a case study class’, he said.
Lewis highlighted the flexibility that CIMA offers as a significant benefit and said it was pivotal to his success in his studies. The adaptability of the CGMA Professional Qualification enabled him to align his studies with his career trajectory and to make progress without compromising his professional growth.
The opportunity to tailor his study approach, whether through classroom learning or making the most of solo study time, was crucial to Lewis reaching the finish line and earning the CGMA qualification, which he did in the summer of 2024 after completing the Strategic Level Case Study Exam and having his practical experience requirements approved.
Community and connection are invaluable
Although technical knowledge and career progression were important, Lewis also found true value in the relationships he built during his studies. ‘I enjoyed the collaborative and social aspect of the studies’, he said.
Through studying with CIMA, he met fellow finance professionals who would become friends and be part of his journey long after the exams were over. The sense of community helped to keep him motivated and made the experience even more rewarding.
Honest advice for those considering the CGMA qualification
Lewis did not sugar-coat the challenge of the CGMA Professional Qualification: ‘It’s tough and will test your character, but nothing good comes easy’, he said.
His time studying with CIMA was marked by moments of doubt and difficulty but also by immense pride and gratitude for what he has achieved.
‘I am grateful and proud of myself every day for the opportunities CIMA has provided me and the doors it has opened for my career. I have also met some really great professionals and friends throughout my journey as a student’, he said.
For anyone considering the next step, Lewis’s experience is proof that, with determination, support, and a commitment to studying hard, the CGMA qualification can be life altering, opening new possibilities and equipping you with skills and confidence that last a lifetime.
Hear more insights from another CIMA member, Rai Chatterjee, ACMA, CGMA, about how she found a path to an exciting finance career with CIMA, and discover CIMA’s CGMA Professional Qualification.
