Close
0% completed

Unlock Free CIMA® Membership Until !

Register in for up to free membership on the Self-Tailored Learning Pathway.

Start your journey to the CGMA designation with exclusive savings.

Find out more
United Kingdom
Close

Select your country or region

Europe

Andorra Austria Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Gibraltar Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Italy Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Monaco Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania Russia Slovak Republic Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom

Africa & the Middle East

Africa Egypt Mauritius Middle East Seychelles South Africa

Asia Pacific

American Samoa Asia Pacific Australasia Australia Bangladesh China Guam Hong Kong SAR India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Myanmar New Zealand North Asia Pakistan Singapore South Korea Sri Lanka Vietnam

The Americas

Americas British Virgin Islands Canada Cayman Islands Puerto Rico South America USA Virgin Islands (U.S.)
Menu
Page navigation
How to Apply

How to Apply

How to register with CIMA and apply to study the CGMA Professional Qualification
On this page

How to register with CIMA and apply to study the CGMA Professional Qualification

In 2017, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants® (CIMA) and the American Institute of CPAs® (AICPA®) joined together to provide finance and accounting professionals even more resources and a global network that spans 150 countries and territories.

Both CIMA and the AICPA have the authority to award the CGMA® qualification.

Registration begins on aicpa-cima.com  , our sister website. Everyone is invited to register.

You will be guided through the online process to share your educational and work experience.

  • It’s OK if you have little to no background in accounting. If you have passion and ambition, there’s a learning pathway for you.
  • If you have experience working in finance, including academic research, you may be eligible for exemptions from certain aspects of the CGMA syllabus.

Studying for the CGMA qualification opens the door to CIMA membership, which means you gain access to resources to amplify your finance career, a global network of finance professionals, and so much more.

Great news:

CIMA does not charge for exemptions.

Steps to get the ball rolling

Before studies begin, there are 5 steps to complete. The steps require approximately 20 minutes, and your online application will be saved as you go.

1

Register on aicpa-cima.com

You’ll find the register button at the top righthand corner of aicpa-cima.com. You will be prompted to create a login and password and set up your profile.

2

Choose a study route

All study routes teach the same competencies and result in the prestigious CGMA qualification. Availability of learning pathways varies, depending on where you are located.

3

Answer prompts about your experience

Share details about your work experience and studies, including if you’re currently working in finance or studying. You may be eligible for exemptions.

4

Upload supporting documents

Share applicable transcripts or diplomas so we can determine any exemptions.

5

Attest and pay

Review the attestation and provide payment. Done and dusted!

Have a quick question? Here are quick answers

A staff member is ready to answer any additional questions you may have through the chat function or by phone. Contact us.

What are the eligibility requirements to register?

There are no requirements to register and create your profile on aicpa-cima.com. To Begin CGMA studies, you will need maths and English skills equivalent to General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) grade C/4 or above (the new grade 4 is equivalent to a grade C.)

What study routes are available to achieve the CGMA qualification?

Whether you are a student or working professional, a graduate or a career-changer, you can choose a path that fits your lifestyle.

  • The CGMA Finance Leadership Program offers learning materials and assessments in an online learning platform. Knowledge assessments are completed throughout the Operational, Management, and Strategic Level, and each level concludes with a case study exam. CGMA candidates can subscribe at any time of the year for a 1-, 2-, or 3-year subscription. The CGMA FLP can be completed in 1–3 years.
  • The Self-Tailored Learning Pathway offers CGMA students the opportunity to study in-person or online with a tuition provider. Objective tests are completed throughout each level, and each level concludes with a case study exam. CGMA candidates pay for learning materials and case study exams as you go, and, on average, the Self-Tailored Learning Pathway takes 4 years to complete.
  • CIMA’s Apprenticeships are available to anyone residing in England aged 16 or over. Apprentices enrol in either a Level 4 Professional Accounting Technician Apprenticeship or Level 7 Accountancy Professional Apprenticeship, per their employer. From January 2026, learners must start a Level 7 apprenticeship between the ages of 16 and 21. Upon completion, apprentices progress to CIMA’s CGMA Professional Qualification (CGMA PQ) at the appropriate level.
Note: Available study routes vary, depending on your location.

What is the mandatory exam credit?

The mandatory exam credit refers to a prepaid CIMA objective test in the Self-Tailored Learning Pathway. The exam credit is included in your initial registration fee.

An exam credit is the first of many supports that CIMA provides ahead of sitting exams.

Note: CGMA candidates have up to 12 months from the registration date to schedule and sit the objective test covered by this credit.

What are exemptions and how do I qualify for an exemption?

CIMA gives credit where credit is due. If you have previously achieved certifications or qualifications, or work experience in finance and accounting, please let us know. You could be exempt from taking certain case study exams or structured assessments. Explore the exemptions calculator.

How much does it cost to register as a CGMA candidate?

All new CGMA students pay a one-time registration fee of £99. The registration fee includes your first year’s subscription to CIMA membership.

Note: CIMA members who have a lapsed membership would also pay a re-registration fee of £99 from 1 Jan. 2026.

Explore a breakdown of costs.

Can I study for the CGMA qualification with an organisation other than CIMA?

The CGMA qualification is a registered trademark of CIMA and the AICPA.

  • If you live in Europe, Africa, or the Asia-Pacific region, you study with CIMA.
  • If you live in North, Central, or South America, you study with the AICPA.

While studying, would I be a member one of the membership bodies?

Yes. During your studies, you would be a member of either CIMA or the AICPA.

Students (aka CGMA candidates) have access to certain benefits but do not have access to all the benefits of a CIMA member or AICPA member, and they are not permitted to place the letters CGMA after their surname.

Is it expensive to study with CIMA or the AICPA?

Price points differ based on the learning pathway and location.

  • The CGMA FLP is subscription based: Skills Core is a 12-month term; Skills Plus is a 12-, 24-, or 36-month term; Skills Premium is a 12-, 24-, or 36-month term.
  • For the Self-Tailored Learning Pathway, the CGMA candidate pays for materials as they go.

CGMA candidates pay via self-funding, governmental funding (CIMA’s Apprenticeships), or employer funding. Your current employer may sponsor your professional development. It’s worth asking.

And remember that you could be exempt from specific exams due to your previous qualifications or experience.

For example, a person may join the CGMA syllabus at the Management Level or Strategic Level, rather than at the Operational Level, thereby reducing costs.

What is management accounting?

Management accounting is where critical thinking meets business strategy.

Reviewing financial transactions and generating financial reports has always been a core part of accounting, but management accountants take that task to a new level by advising leadership teams on strategic decision-making.

Management accountants use critical thinking to make sense of data. They uncover what the numbers mean, highlight risks and opportunities, and help leaders choose the best way forward. Their ability to translate analysis into clear stories and reports keeps strategy grounded in evidence and focused on long-term value.

Check out this Instagram reel that explains management accounting in football (soccer) terms.