CIMA’s CGMA^® Operational Level

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.

Average duration

12 months

Assessments

4 exams

Kaplan pass rate*

27% higher than global average

Award

CIMA Dip MA

*Versus the global average pass rate of 64%, across Case Study exams in all levels in 2023. Valid as of 2024.

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.

View timetables

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.

Learn more

testimonial-vivi-sargioti-2x — Vivi Sargioti Kaplan CIMA student

Course content

View pricing breakdown

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.

from £409.00Inc. VAT

Buy now

Show topics covered

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.

from £409.00Inc. VAT

Buy now

Show topics covered

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.

from £409.00Inc. VAT

Buy now

Show topics covered

Regulatory Environment
Financial Statements
Principles of taxation
Managing Working Capital

Compulsory

Integrated Case Study

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

Buy now

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.

£144 - £248Inc. VAT

Buy now

Show more detail

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 £1309

Live Online from £1199

OnDemand from £879

Distance Learning from £409

View pricing breakdown

Select subjects

Everything you need to succeed

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.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

Pass Guarantee

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.

Learn more

The science of learning

We offer dynamic courses based on insights from learning scientists and industry professionals. Our data-driven teaching methods ensure student success and progression.

Learn more

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.

Learn more

Accessibility

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

Learn more

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 BibliU
CIMA’s official textbook with tools to revolutionise your learning - highlight, note-take and search in seconds.
eLearning modules
Study 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 BibliU
Exam style questions and answers, exam techniques and our recommended revision approach.
Printed revision cards
Pocket-sized, brief revision notes that highlight and prioritise the essential topics you need to understand to pass CIMA’s exams.
Testing and mocks
Including 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 space
MyKaplan 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 BibliU
CIMA’s official textbook with tools to revolutionise your learning.
Printed familiarisation and practice workbook
An 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 videos
Watch 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 & mocks
Information 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 space
MyKaplan 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 £1,309 Free trial	Live Online from £1,199 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
Pass Guarantee
Study at your own pace

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

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

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.

Invoice your employer

Your employer may fund the costs of your studies if you're already working in a related field and want to develop your learning.

Find out more

PayPal Pay in 3

A buy now, pay later service that splits your purchase into three equal interest-free payments. Offering a flexible way to spread the cost.

Find out more

Become a Kaplan client

If you’re looking to train your staff and upskill your organisation, you can register as a Kaplan client.

Find out more

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.

Related CIMA courses

Certificate in Business Accounting
Go to Certificate
CIMA’s CGMA Operational Level
You’re viewing this level
CIMA’s CGMA Management Level
Go to Management
CIMA’s CGMA Strategic Level
Go to Strategic

CIMA’s CGMA^® Operational Level