The Certificate in Business Accounting (Cert BA) is your starting point if you’re new to accountancy. You’ll learn the fundamentals of business economics, financial accounting, management accounting, and ethical considerations of commercial activity. Most students take around 12 months to complete the qualification, which consists of four subjects, assessed by computer-based exams.

Once you’ve passed this qualification, you can work in roles such as accounts clerk or within administration roles, and earn between £25,000 - £28,000. You can then move onto studying CIMA Professional qualification, and begin with CIMA Operational.

CIMA Operational teaches you about organisational management, costs and analysis used in production, and financial reporting and taxation. You also take a Case Study, which tests your overall knowledge of the level. You’ll take around 12 months to complete the level.

After completing this level, you can move into roles such as a financial analyst or management accountant, and earn up to £29,000. You can then move onto the CIMA Management level.

CIMA Management equips you with the skills to perform advanced management accounting and advanced financial reporting tasks. You’ll learn how to manage companies, from internal and external contexts. You also take a Case Study, which tests your overall knowledge of the level. You’ll take around 12 months to complete the level.

After you pass this level, you can become a fund accountant, financial accountant, or management accountant, and earn up to £31,000. You can then move onto the CIMA Strategic level.

CIMA Gateway

If you have an MBA or Masters in Accountancy, the CIMA Gateway allows you to progress straight to the Strategic Level of the CIMA professional qualification upon successful completion of the Management Level Case Study exam (the Gateway exam).

CIMA Strategic develops your leadership and strategic management abilities, and teaches you about risk management and financial strategy. You also take a Case Study, which tests your overall knowledge of the level. You’ll take around 12 months to complete the level.

After completing this level, you can work in challenging and rewarding roles like financial controller, managing director, and financial manager. As a chartered accountant, you could be looking at a starting salary of £35,000, rising to £61,000 and above as you progress in your career. After being chartered for five years, you can look forward to working in roles such as head of finance or CFO.