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CIMA’s CGMA® Operational Level

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Overview

The Operational Level focuses on short-term decision-making. Once complete, you'll be able to make decisive financial decisions, and work with your team effectively to transform projects into quick actionable and achievable plans using data and accounting technology. You also take a Case Study, which tests your overall knowledge of the level.

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Average duration

12 months

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Assessments

4 exams

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Kaplan pass rate

31% higher than global average*

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Award

CIMA Dip MA

*Versus the global average pass rate of 62% across Case Study exams at all levels in 2024. Valid as of 2025.

Timetables

Programmes are running regularly throughout the year. View our timetables for scheduled Classroom and Live Online sessions to see when the next one is running.

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Who it's for

Entry requirements

The first level of CIMA's CGMA Professional Qualification. You'll need to have completed Certificate in Business Accounting, AAT Level 4 Diploma, or have a relevant degree before beginning this level. Certain degrees may also grant exemptions from this level, you can check your recommended entry point with CIMA's exemptions calculator.

After completing this level you can progress onto the Management level.

Learning outcomes from the course

The Operational Level focuses on short-term decision-making. You'll be able to work with others in your organisation and use appropriate data and technology to translate medium-term decisions into short-term actionable plans.

Apprenticeships

You may be eligible for an apprenticeship through your employer, depending on your circumstances.

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Kaplan is the best CIMA provider. They know what they are doing and what they are talking about. Their material is the best available. No wonder Kaplan is the official CIMA partner!

Vivi Sargioti
Vivi Sargioti Kaplan CIMA student

Course content

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Compulsory

Managing Finance in a Digital World (E1)

You'll learn about the role of finance in organisations, the structure and shape of the finance function, how the finance function interacts with the organisation to create and preserve value, data usage by the finance function and the technology landscape and its impact on organisations and the finance function.

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  • Role of the finance function
  • Technology in a digital world
  • Data and information in a digital world
  • Shape and structure of the finance function
  • Finance interacting with the organisation

Compulsory

Management Accounting (P1)

You'll learn the importance of costs in the production, analysis and use of information for decision-making in companies. P1 covers short-term budgeting, and making short-term decisions on products and services, as well as digital issues in costing.

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  • Cost accounting systems
  • Budget and budgetary control
  • Short term decision making
  • Dealing with uncertainty in the short term

Compulsory

Financial Reporting (F1)

You'll learn about the regulation and preparation of financial statements, giving you the skills to produce basic financial statements for individuals. You'll also learn about working capital and business tax.

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  • Regulatory Environment
  • Financial Statements
  • Principles of taxation
  • Managing Working Capital

Compulsory

Operational Case Study (OCS)

You'll be tested on your overall knowledge of E1, P1, and F1. Using the skills gained during the level, you'll resolve issues that a management accountant may come across at work. The course includes resources designed to support the pre-seen the exam will be based on.

from £539.00inc.VAT

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Exams

Exam credit for new CIMA members: New members receive an exam credit when registering with CIMA. It can be used within 12 months, so register first to take advantage of the exam credit before booking any exams.

CGMA® Operational Level

Computer Based Exams

Each of the three subjects are assessed by an Objective Test which can be taken in any order, at any time on demand. You will also sit one final case study exam that assesses the whole level and is based on a pre-seen.

£182 - £291Inc. VAT

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Case study exams are across a three day period, four times a year — February, May, August, and November, key dates and deadlines for Case Study exams can be found in CIMA's exam timetable.

The Case Study exam is based on a pre-seen that will be released approximately 7 weeks before the exam window. The pre-seen material is valid for two sittings, one pre-seen for May and August and another for November and February. This means that if you sit your exam in May or November and need to resit you can resit your exam using the same pre-seen in the August / February exam window which follows. If you sit your exam in August or February then your resit exam will be on a different pre-seen.

For more information about CIMA's exams, visit the AICPA & CIMA website.

Courses

Inc VAT, excludes exams

Classroom from £1349
Live Online from £1199
OnDemand from £879
Distance Learning from £409
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Everything you need to succeed

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Expert material

Our courses include expert content, designed to help you pass your exams. You’ll get the only printed and digital study materials approved by CIMA, as well as marked mock exams and practice questions.

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Academic support

Our team of 50+ finance experts and advisors provide gold-standard personalised academic support 7 days a week. We offer exam strategies, study plans, and proactive resit advice.

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If your results aren't as expected, we provide free access to extra content, extended tutor support, and guidance for resitting until you pass your exams.

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Well-being support

Access well-being support through our resource library or speak confidentially with Kaplan's Mental Health First Aiders, safeguarding team, or your tutor and talent coach.

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Accessibility

We're committed to an inclusive learning environment, ensuring accessibility and personalised support for all students to succeed.

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Objective test course includes

  • Printed integrated workbook*A key resource for your studies, it guides you through the syllabus and details when to use your other study resources. Includes space to add handwritten notes.
  • Digital study text powered by BibliUCIMA’s official textbook with tools to revolutionise your learning - highlight, note-take and search in seconds.
  • eLearning modulesStudy modules* including bite-sized tutor-led lectures that take you through the whole syllabus. Application modules then deepen your knowledge and understanding of how topics fit together and how you might see them in a work environment.
  • Digital exam kit powered by BibliUExam style questions and answers, exam techniques and our recommended revision approach.
  • Printed revision cardsPocket-sized, brief revision notes that highlight and prioritise the essential topics you need to understand to pass CIMA’s exams.
  • Testing and mocksIncluding an online question bank, knowledge checks to assess your understanding of a topic, consolidation test to enhance your understanding, and an exam standard progress test* to prepare you for revision. As well as 2 marked mock exams that simulate the real exam.
  • Personalised online study spaceMyKaplan is an online learning portal that allows you to access additional online materials, contact your tutors, and take part in discussion forums in one place. Learn more

We know learners regard our Integrated Workbooks* and Revision Cards as their most used resources, that’s why these are printed. Our Study Text and Exam Kit supplement studies and are provided as interactive digital resources via BibliU. Find out more

Case study course includes

  • Digital study text powered by BibliUCIMA’s official textbook with tools to revolutionise your learning.
  • Printed familiarisation and practice workbookAn examination preparation tool, based on the live case study pre-seen, including ethical considerations, key issues, how to prioritise, and plan your answer. The workbook includes 10-12 case specific tasks including a familiarisation quiz and exercises.
  • Case analysis videosWatch a tutor walk you through the pre-seen, highlighting key facts, information and potentially examinable topics.
  • Technical recap videos and notes*Recordings and notes that will help you revise key syllabus areas from the underpinning subjects.
  • Exam guidance & mocksInformation on how to approach the exams, a marking guide and 3 marked mocks that simulate the real exam (2 for Distance Learning courses). As well as recorded debriefs of all 3 mocks (1 for Distance Learning courses) to help you understand the approach you should have taken.
  • Personalised online study spaceMyKaplan is an online learning portal that allows you to access additional online materials, contact your tutors, and take part in discussion forums in one place. Learn more

We know learners regard our Workbook as their most used resource, that’s why this is printed. Our Study Text supplements your studies and is provided as an interactive digital resource via BibliU. Find out more

*Not included in Distance Learning.

Study methods

Get everything you need to succeed, along with tailored features depending on which study method you choose.

Feature

Classroom
from £1,349

Free trial

Live Online
from £1,239

Free trial

OnDemand
from £879

Free trial

Distance Learning
from £409

Live, tutor-led classes at set times
Re-watch your lessons
Interactive study modules
Speak face-to-face with tutors and other learners
Speak online with students on the same course
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Study at your own pace

Excellent set-up course. MyKaplan site is well resourced and easy to navigate. Great tutor, very knowledgeable.

Matthew Freestone Kaplan CIMA student

The tutors have surpassed my expectations in making the classes easy to understand, interesting and enjoyable.

Frank Fagan Kaplan CIMA student

Ways to pay

Pay for your course using a debit card, credit card, or PayPal. We also offer alternative payment methods to suit your needs.

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Alternatively, you can apply for one of our payment plans. Spread the cost by paying monthly, so you can focus on learning and passing exams.