Latest news with #professionalQualifications
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants' (CIMA) Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) Professional Qualification receives upgrade to meet expanding scope of modern finance
Today, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) unveiled its CGMA Professional Qualification syllabus ( for 2026. This upgrade is designed to prepare students for the future of work and meet the growing expectations of modern finance professionals to be high-performance finance business partners capable of utilising technology and applying critical thinking skills. The emphasis on finance business partnering and applied problem solving aligns with AICPA&CIMA's Future of Finance 2.0 ( research and the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 ( which predict that combining technology and human insight will be crucial for career success in the knowledge economy and essential for future accounting and finance roles. The upgraded syllabus enhances key competencies and behaviours such as finance business partnering, analytical thinking, and strategic planning while broadening its scope to include sustainability (e.g. green finance, environmental costing, and disclosures under IFRS S1/S2) and cutting-edge financial technologies (GenAI) content. Stephen Flatman, Vice President of Education and Professional Qualifications, Management Accounting at AICPA&CIMA, commented:"With a focus on finance role simulations embedded in our Case Study exams, the CGMA Professional Qualification allows finance professionals to quickly develop and apply cognitive, digital, and technical skills needed as finance business partners. Our unique problem-solving educational approach helps them provide expert advice, support decision-making, and create value for organisations." Andrew Harding, FCMA, CGMA, Chief Executive – Management Accounting at AICPA&CIMA, added: 'This year's update to the CGMA Professional Qualification syllabus sets it apart from traditional accounting and finance education, which still focuses heavily on preparing information, controls, and compliance – tasks increasingly automated by technology. The CGMA Professional Qualification is designed for the future of finance; created by finance professionals to equip future finance professionals with skills they need to be value creators.' Tariro Mutizwa, ACMA, CGMA, Vice President, Africa at AICPA&CIMA, said: 'The updated CGMA Professional Qualification syllabus represents a significant advancement in the development of finance and accounting professionals across Africa. By integrating key competencies such as business partnering, analytical thinking, strategic planning, and sustainability, it ensures that our members and candidates are equipped with the expertise required to navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape. This evolution aligns with global industry demands, reinforcing our commitment to fostering highly skilled professionals who drive economic growth and corporate resilience.' These changes do not impact learners taking CGMA exams in 2025. A Case Study and Objective Tests study support materials pack will be launched in October to help students prepare for the May 2026 CGMA exams. CIMA has also created over 50 hours of free study support materials to help candidates progress through exams and their journey to becoming CGMA designation holders. Full details can be found on our website ( Distributed by APO Group on behalf of AICPA&CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. About The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants: Founded in 1919, The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants® (CIMA®) is the world's leading and largest professional body of management accountants. As part of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, CIMA and its members and candidates operate in 188 countries and territories, working at the heart of business — in industry, commerce, the public sector and not-for-profit organisations. CIMA works closely with employers and sponsors leading-edge research, constantly updating its professional qualification and professional experience requirements to ensure it remains the employer's choice when recruiting financially trained business leaders. About AICPA&CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants: AICPA®&CIMA®, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association), advance the global accounting and finance profession through our work on behalf of 597,000 AICPA and CIMA members, candidates and registrants in 188 countries and territories. Together, we are the worldwide leader on public and management accounting issues through advocacy, support for the CPA license, the CGMA designation and specialized credentials, professional development and thought leadership. We build trust by empowering our members, candidates and registrants with the knowledge and opportunities to be leaders in broadening prosperity for a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient future.
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
What does the UK-EU deal mean for holidays and jobs? Your questions answered
Many of you have been submitting questions to Your Voice, Your BBC News about the deal signed this week between the UK and European questions have touched on a range of issues, including jobs, food and experts have been digging into the detail to figure out what the deal means for you and your family. Will professional qualifications be recognised across the UK-EU border? Anna Maria, a dental student studying in Bulgaria, asked about mutual recognition of professional qualifications, which was a Labour Party manifesto pledge. Our political reporter Becky Morton has looked into the details of the its manifesto last year, Labour said it would seek to "secure a mutual recognition agreement for professional qualifications, external to help open up markets for UK service exporters".That would mean professionals such as doctors, lawyers and accountants who qualified in one country could practice in another with minimal extra bureaucracy - a system already in place across the deal promises to set up "dedicated dialogues" on the recognition of professional qualifications, but a full agreement could take much longer to an agreement would make it easier for British companies to move staff between the UK and EU and undertake short-term work in there may be less incentive for the EU to agree a deal, given the current situation makes it harder for UK firms to compete for business in Europe. Will Brits be able go skip long queues for non-EU passport holders? Malcolm in Bristol wanted more clarity on what the agreement will mean for passport queues for UK citizens visiting the EU. Our transport correspondent Simon Browning some EU ports and airports already allow UK citizens to use modern e-gates, many do not and queues have become familiar to new agreement provides more clarity on e-gates and sets out that in the future, UK citizens will be able to use them - but the EU Commission says that will not come into force in time for this the UK government has indicated it is hopeful there could be changes in time for the summer, so the timeline still appears to be up for EU says there will be no change before a new EU border security scheme comes into force in October, which will see biometric data including fingerprints collected from passengers coming from non-EU countries such as the UK. It will mean manned desks where people will have to queue in order to enter some EU countries could still be a feature of travel beyond this year, even if e-gate usage becomes more widely short, that will mean long queues at some destinations could continue during this holiday season and perhaps decision about UK citizens using e-gates will not be a blanket one across the bloc. Instead, it will be up to individual countries to decide how they manage queues at their borders. Will pet passports resume in time for the summer? We have received a lot of questions about pet passports. Our political correspondent Jack Fenwick has looked into when the scheme will be up and short, we just do not know yet whether there will be any change in time for this agreement between the UK and EU commits to introducing a new passport system which would make it easier for people to travel with their pets and end the need to acquire repeat vet British holidaymakers will be keen for these rules to be introduced in time for their trip this so-called pet passports come under a part of the deal known as the sanitary and phytosanitary agreement - and while the UK and EU have agreed to work together in this area, the full scope of it has not been fully fleshed out yet. What does the deal mean for British farmers? Chris in Bristol asked whether UK farmers would have to accept EU regulations on food standards. Our business correspondent Simon Jack has assessed the new agreement removes the need for time consuming and costly veterinary checks and forms - but in return, the UK will have to align with EU food standards. As those regulations change, the UK will have to change too. The government insists it will have a say in how those rules develop and it may be able to negotiate exceptions - but they will not have a vote. The National Farmers Union has broadly welcomed the new deal because it provides easier and quicker access to a big market for perishable products, in which the speed that goods can be moved is important. Will it be easier for British bands to tour in Europe? Andy in Eastbourne asked whether this deal would allow for the free and unrestricted movement of musicians and bands on tour in Europe. Our political reporter Becky Morton Brexit, British musicians have faced extra costs and red tape when touring industry has been urging the government to find a solution and Labour's general election manifesto pledged to "help our touring artists" as part of negotiations with the the deal agreed on Monday only recognises the "value" of touring artists and promises to continue efforts "to support travel and cultural exchange".The UK says it will explore "how best to improve arrangements for touring across the European continent".Tom Kiehl, chief executive of UK Music, which represents the industry, welcomed this as "an important first step" but said the sector was seeking "more concrete commitments". Will this agreement impact the UK's ability to boost trade around the world? Brian in Nottingham asked about any knock-on effect the agreement may have on the UK's ability to negotiate trade deals with other nations. Political correspondent Jack Fenwick looked into it for the UK was to re-join the customs union or single market, there would be knock-on effects for other trade agreements, like the Trans-Pacific Partnership - but this relatively limited agreement does not go nearly that the UK will now effectively be a rule-taker when it comes to EU standards on food and farming exports - but the government is fairly comfortable with that for two ministers do not want to lower food standards anyway, which we saw during recent trade negotiations with the the level of trade the UK has with the EU massively outstrips other agreements signed in recent UK-EU deal is expected to eventually boost the economy by around £9bn a year, largely from food, farming and energy trading. Compare that with the much broader agreement signed with India this year, which will bring economic benefits of around £5bn a year.
Telegraph
06-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
EU to cave in on demand to allow British bankers to work on Continent
The European Union is considering opening the door for British bankers and lawyers to ply their trade on the Continent. Fresh legislation being prepared by the European Commission could pave the way for 'common rules for the recognition and validation of qualifications and skills of third-country nationals' as early as next year. But the deal is unlikely to feature as part of the post-Brexit reset as eurocrats dig their heels in on offering Sir Keir Starmer a bespoke agreement on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications. Brussels insiders say the package is more general than what has been demanded by British negotiators ahead of a joint summit In London on May 19. It was proposed in a single market strategy document drawn up by Stéphane Séjourné, the French European Commission executive vice-president. Ahead of its election victory last summer, Labour pledged to 'secure a mutual recognition agreement for professional qualifications to help open up markets for UK service exporters' in its manifesto. British businesses have been pushing for the Government to broker a deal that would give professionals the ability to work in the EU since Brexit. Rachel Reeves raised the prospect of such an agreement in direct talks with her EU counterparts at a meeting of Eurogroup finance ministers late last year. The Chancellor argued that trade barriers like this had been created by Brexit and dismantling them could boost both Britain's and the EU's faltering economies. But in Brussels, British negotiators have failed to convince their counterparts that professional qualifications should be included as part of the wider reset talks. The Telegraph understands that the EU could be holding out on the topic to see if there are any further concessions to be gained from the UK. Neither side has been willing to compromise – making any deal relaxing visa restrictions for business people travelling to either the EU or UK unlikely. The EU has already secured multi-year access to British fishing waters and the outline of a youth mobility pact as the price for the reset. Progress downplayed At a meeting of EU ambassadors last week, a number of countries rowed in hard behind a demand that would make any reset agreement contingent on a deal which would guarantee EU nationals aged under 30 the rights to live and work in the UK, and vice-versa. In exchange, Britain will gain access to a €150 billion (£127 billion) EU defence fund being drawn up and an agreement to dynamically align food and veterinary standards in order to ease trade restrictions on agricultural products. Maros Sefcovic, the EU's lead Brexit negotiator, appeared to downplay any progress in talks with Britain in a speech to the European Parliament on Monday. He mentioned 'trade' just four times in the short speech, in reference to the post-Brexit Trade and Cooperation Agreement signed between Britain and Brussels. The top eurocrat said 'further work' was needed to secure the veterinary and animal health agreement being discussed. Key words used by the UK Government, like 'economy' and 'growth', were also omitted from his address to MEPs. David Henig, director of the European Centre for International Political Economy think tank, said: 'There is a definite pushback from the commission to the UK under way and this speech could be a signal of trouble ahead.' David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, will travel to Warsaw on Wednesday to hold talks with EU foreign ministers to soothe tensions ahead of the summit in London later this month, a European source said.
