CIMA Certification - Course Details, Fees, Syllabus
CIMA Certification - The Certified Investment Management Analyst certification or CIMA is an internationally recognised certification which is awarded by the Investments and Wealth Institute, formerly known as IMCA. CIMA is one of the most-in-demand finance certifications and is known to be the best technical portfolio creation program for analysts, investment consultants and financial advisors. According to the official IMCA website, it has been acknowledged that CIMA certified professionals are both more satisfied with their careers and earn better compensation in their respective job profiles globally. The CIMA course fees in Indian rupees will vary as per the education provider chosen by the candidate and also as per the international currency rates. Similarly, CIMA course duration also varies according to the education provider chosen by the candidate.
- CIMA Certification Course Details: Overview
- What is a CIMA?
- CIMA Course Details: Steps to Obtain CIMA Certification
- CIMA Course Details: Education Providers
- CIMA Application Form
- CIMA Course Fees
- CIMA Course Details: Locations
- CIMA Certification Exam Pattern
- CIMA Syllabus
- CIMA Certification Exam Result
- CIMA Certification Validity
- CIMA Course Details: Credential Renewal
CIMA Certification Course Details: Overview
Item | Details |
Name | Certified Investment Management Analyst |
Abbreviation | CIMA |
Governing body | Investments and Wealth Institute |
Exam type | International Certification |
Test centre administration | Pearson VUE |
Exam duration | 5 hours |
Number of questions | 140 (125 scored + 15 unscored) |
Question type | Multiple-choice (MCQs) |
Certification validity | 2 years |
What is a CIMA?
The full form of CIMA stands for Certified Investment Management Analyst. It is a certification programme for investment and portfolio management professionals awarded by the Investments and Wealth Institute. It is considered to be one of the highest certifications in the field of investment consulting and strategic financial management.
CIMA Course Details: Steps to Obtain CIMA Certification
The procedure for obtaining the CIMA certification involves a number of steps to be carried out by prospective candidates. Given below are the CIMA education requirements and the steps leading to CIMA certification.
Step 1 - Application and background check: Candidates must submit the CIMA application form, and application fee and subsequently pass the initial background check which is conducted by Investments and Wealth Institute in order to be eligible to participate in the CIMA certification process. If the candidate clears the background check then he or she will receive the official CIMA login for the program.
Step 2 - Executive education: Once the applicant is accepted to the CIMA program, he or she must enrol with any of the four registered CIMA course education providers for their executive education program. The CIMA certification cost is equivalent to the administrative education program fees of the selected education provider.
Step 3: Certification exam: Upon completion of the executive education program, the candidate will have fulfilled CIMA course eligibility and will be able to sit for the certification examination. Candidates may sit for the examination multiple times with a gap of 30 days between two testing sessions. Additional fees will be applicable for each subsequent test session. If the candidate clears the certification examination, then he or she will be eligible to move on to step 4 of the CIMA certification process.
Step 4: CIMA certification: The candidate must demonstrate at least 3 years of professional work experience in the domain of financial services or a related industry. Subsequently, the candidate needs to pass a second background check by Investments and Wealth Institute, complete a license agreement and adhere to the institute’s Code of Professional Responsibility before being awarded the CIMA certification.
CIMA Course Details: Education Providers
There are four designated education providers for the CIMA certification process. These education providers offer executive education programs which need to be completed by an applicant in order to meet the CIMA course eligibility requirement. This is generally known as Step 2 of the CIMA certification process. The CIMA course duration and fees varies with the specific education provider. Applicants can apply to any of the four education providers after clearing the initial background check and receiving acceptance to the CIMA program.
The four education providers are:
The University of Chicago, Booth School of Business
The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Yale School of Management
Investment Management Research Program - Australia
CIMA Application Form
Filling out the CIMA application form is the first step towards CIMA certification and subsequent CIMA course eligibility. Prospective candidates are required to fill out the application form and make the application fee payment in order to be considered by the CIMA program. There are no specific eligibility requirements for submission of the CIMA application form. Upon submission of the CIMA application form, the Investments and Wealth Institute will conduct a thorough background check of the applicant.
The candidate will be notified regarding the conclusion of the background check within 10 business days of application form submission. If the candidate passes the background check then he or she will be accepted to the CIMA program. After this candidates will receive their official CIMA login and will be able to continue to the second step of the CIMA certification process.
CIMA Course Fees
The CIMA course fees include different components such as the application fee, the executive education program fee, certification renewal fees, as well as additional examination and membership fees for the Investments and Wealth Institute.
The CIMA course fees for initial application differ for Investment and Wealth Institute members and non-members.
CIMA Course Fees: Application Fee
Membership Status | Current member | Become a member | Non-member |
Application Fee | USD $600 | USD $995 | USD $1,095 |
Costs Covered | - Application fee - Background check - Certification exam fee | - Application fee - One-year membership - Background check - Certification exam fee | - Application fee - Background check - Certification exam fee |
CIMA Course Fees
The registered education providers provide various executive education programs that contribute towards the CIMA course fees and these fees differ on the specific education provider that the candidate has selected. These CIMA course fees vary from year to year depending upon the specific education provider.
CIMA Reexamination Fee
Candidates who do not pass the CIMA certification exam in the first go can sit for multiple subsequent examination sessions given that there remains a gap of at least 30 days between two distinct exam sessions. The reexamination fee varies for members and nonmembers.
CIMA Course Fees: Reexamination Fee
Member | Nonmember |
USD $225 | USD $325 |
CIMA Licensing Fee
Upon clearing the CIMA certification examination, candidates are required to sign a licensing agreement with Investments and Wealth Institute. Along with this, candidates are required to pay the initial licensing fee in order to be considered CIMA-certified.
CIMA Course Fees: Initial Licensing Fee
Member | Nonmember who wants to be a member of the Institute | Nonmember who doesn’t want to be a member |
USD $275 | USD $620 | USD $895 |
CIMA Renewal Fee
Like many other professional certifications, the CIMA certification requires certificate-holders to renew their certification status through continuing professional development (CPE) units before the certificate expiration date. The renewal fees tend to change with time and the current renewal fees and/or membership fees have been listed below.
CIMA Course Fees: Renewal Fee
Category | Fee | |
Nonmember certification renewal fee (2 years) | USD $895 | |
Member certification renewal fee (2 years) | USD $275 | |
Membership fee (1 year) | with alignment | USD $320 |
without alignment | USD $345 | |
Membership (1 year) + certification fee (2 years) | USD $620 | |
Align membership (2 years) + certification fee (2 years) | USD $915 |
CIMA Course Details: Dates
The CIMA examination dates are available throughout the year in four month-long testing windows and the available dates vary with the specific Pearson VUE test centre which is selected by the candidate. The available testing windows are in the months of February, May, August and November. The dates can be viewed by candidates using their CIMA login ID and suitable dates can be selected accordingly.
The CIMA course duration and dates vary with the registered education provider selected by the candidate. Additionally, these dates vary with the study format selected as well. Generally, the dates follow the semester format and are available twice a year for fall and spring semester. Candidates require the official CIMA login in order to enrol to the CIMA executive education program at any of the registered education providers.
CIMA Course Duration
The overall CIMA course duration varies for candidates who apply for the online study format and the offline study format. The average amount of time also varies depending upon the candidate’s commitment and time expended in preparation for the final certification examination. The approximate CIMA course duration for both pathways toward CIMA certification has been depicted in the table given below.
CIMA Course Duration
CIMA Step Number | Online Pathway | Offline Pathway |
Step 1 : Application and background check | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
Step 2: Executive education | 1 week | +2 months |
Step 3: Certification exam and required preparation | 3 months | 3 months |
Total time commitment | 4-5 months | 6-9 months |
CIMA Course Details: Locations
As CIMA is an internationally-recognized certification, the CIMA examination is offered around the world at various Pearson VUE test centres. Candidates can access the available test centres in their country and area through their official CIMA login ID.
The CIMA course executive education program can be completed in both the offline and online format. The online format is internationally accessible and tremendously more flexible for prospective professional applicants. The offline study format is carried out at the campus for the respective registered education provider for CIMA.
CIMA Certification Exam Pattern
Candidates need to pass the CIMA certification exam in order to be awarded the CIMA certification. The examination is considered step 3 of the CIMA certification process. The exam is of a 5-hour duration and comprises 140 multiple-choice questions. Out of 140 questions, 125 are scored and 15 are unscored pretest questions. Candidates are permitted only a single optional 15-minute break during the examination. Passing the examination is crucial to meeting the CIMA course eligibility requirement.
Although all questions are multiple-choice questions, there are different types of items which appear in the examination which are:
Direct questions
One best response
Complex multiple-choice
Incomplete statement
Situational set
CIMA Syllabus
The CIMA certification exam covers a number of topics which are divided into 5 categories. The questions of the test generally correspond to the subject matter of the executive education program offered by the designated education providers for CIMA.
CIMA Course Details: Syllabus
Area of Study | Topics | Exam Percentage |
Fundamentals | Applied finance and economics, statistics and methods, global capital markets | 15% |
Investments | Equity, alternative investments, real assets, vehicles, fixed income, options/futures | 20% |
Portfolio theory and behavioral finance | Behavioral finance, tools and strategies, portfolio models and theories, investment styles and philosophies | 20% |
Risk and return | Risk measurements, attributes of risk, performance measurement and attribution | 20% |
Portfolio construction and consulting process | Client discovery, portfolio construction, portfolio review and revisions, ethics, investment policy, manager search and selection | 25% |
CIMA Certification Exam Result
The result for the CIMA certification exam is displayed on the candidate’s computer screen at the Pearson VUE test centre immediately after completion of the examination. The result will display either a ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ status. Candidates are required to obtain a ‘pass’ in order to meet CIMA course eligibility for certification. In case the candidate receives a ‘fail’ result, then he or she will be issued a score report which enlists areas of improvement and further study required. This report can be accessed through the candidate’s Pearson VUE account or CIMA login.
CIMA Certification Validity
The initial CIMA certification is valid for 2 years from the date that the initial license is signed by the candidate. Candidates are therefore required to renew their CIMA certification prior to the completion of the 2-year period in order to maintain their certification status. In case a candidate fails to do so, then the CIMA credential will be considered out-of-date and the candidate will have to retake the CIMA certification examination.
CIMA Course Details: Credential Renewal
In order to maintain certification status, candidates are required to renew their CIMA credential prior to the expiration of the CIMA accreditation. This renewal requires the candidate the following three-step process:
The candidate must complete and report at least 40 hours of CE or continuing education credit using their CIMA login. This number is inclusive of two ethics hours.
The candidate must pay the certificate renewal fee.
The candidate must complete the compliance requirement. This involves continued adherence to the institute’s Code of Professional Responsibility as well as the Rules and Guidelines for Use of the Marks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
CIMA is a certification programme for investment and portfolio management professionals awarded by the Investments and Wealth Institute. It is considered to be one of the highest certifications in the field of investment consulting.
It depends one's learning goals. CIMA is better suited for investment consultants and advisors while CFA deals more with investment analysis and portfolio management.
One must register and clear the CIMA exams after undergoing an education programme from one of the certified education providers. One must also possess the required work experience in order to be eligible for CIMA certification.
CIMA cost varies as per the education provider. Similarly, it includes other components such application fee and renewal fee.
Articles
Browse Finance Colleges by State
Explore Career Options (By Industry)
Budget Analyst
Budget analysis, in a nutshell, entails thoroughly analyzing the details of a financial budget. The budget analysis aims to better understand and manage revenue. Budget analysts assist in the achievement of financial targets, the preservation of profitability, and the pursuit of long-term growth for a business. Budget analysts generally have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or a closely related field. Knowledge of Financial Management is of prime importance in this career.
Data Analyst
The invention of the database has given fresh breath to the people involved in the data analytics career path. Analysis refers to splitting up a whole into its individual components for individual analysis. Data analysis is a method through which raw data are processed and transformed into information that would be beneficial for user strategic thinking.
Data are collected and examined to respond to questions, evaluate hypotheses or contradict theories. It is a tool for analyzing, transforming, modeling, and arranging data with useful knowledge, to assist in decision-making and methods, encompassing various strategies, and is used in different fields of business, research, and social science.
Underwriter
An underwrite plays crucial roles in the finance and insurance industry and works for mortgage, loan, and insurance companies. He or she analyses applications for insurance policies and assess the risk capacity to decide whether to approve application or reject. He or she assesses and evaluates the risk of another party for a fee in the form of commision or premium.
Underwriters have strong analytical skills and they understand the insurance principle to evaluate the health of potential clients. They collaborate with agents, brokers, and to their clients to collect information and explain the insurance product details. They work on all kinds of insurance like mortgage, health insurance, life insurance, automobile, and several other kinds of insurance.
Finance Executive
Finance Executives manage money, overseeing a company's income, expenses, and investments. They monitor financial transactions, create and assess reports like cash flows, and strategies to enhance profit margins and reduce expenses. Their role is crucial for staying competitive and making wise market decisions in response to current dynamics.
Finance Executives establish strategic financial goals, objectives, and performance criteria. Strong accounting and analytical skills are fundamental to this role. While often working fixed hours, they may extend their work hours to meet deadlines. This career is well-suited for individuals with a keen understanding of finance, attention to detail, and the ability to navigate complex financial landscapes.
Product Manager
A product manager is a professional who determines what a product should do and how it should look like. A product manager analyses customer needs and combines them with company goals to develop a product that satisfies everyone. He or she works in coordination with different departments like engineers, salespersons, and product designers to ensure everyone works towards achieving the company's goals.
A product manager develops strategies and plans to help the employees work towards a common goal that is to develop a product that the customers demand. He or she plays the role of the first point of contact in the organisation for anyone who needs to know about the product. Concerning larger programmes, they work with Technical Program Managers to deliver results.
Operations Manager
Operations manager is tasked with supervising the financial and business experts involved in the production of goods and services. A career as operations manager needs to supervise many divisions and coordinate daily activities. The role of operations manager is to oversee and manage diverse activities which is part of a profession as an operations manager.
All levels of an organisation's operational activities are overseen by an operations manager. He or she is in charge of selecting candidates, imparting instruction, and managing quality control programmes. Operations managers also develop plans for process improvements to ensure that everyone finishes their work on schedule. He or she must regularly evaluate budgets, manage costs, and analyse data and statistics.
Stock Analyst
A stock analyst is an individual who analyses and evaluates various stocks and securities in the financial market. He or she in the stock analyst career forecasts stock market results, normally with an emphasis on the securities that a company or firm invests in. He or she also prepares scientific reports on financial forecasts, predictions, and recommendations based on a stock's expected profit.
Individuals who enjoy learning and data processing, are good problem solvers, and have a strong work ethic will excel in the stock market analyst sector. Students can pursue a BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration), MBA (Master of Business Administration), M.Stat (Master of Statistics) to opt for a career in stock market analysis
Researcher
A Researcher is a professional who is responsible for collecting data and information by reviewing the literature and conducting experiments and surveys. He or she uses various methodological processes to provide accurate data and information that is utilised by academicians and other industry professionals. Here, we will discuss what is a researcher, the researcher's salary, types of researchers.
Welding Engineer
Welding Engineer Job Description: A Welding Engineer work involves managing welding projects and supervising welding teams. He or she is responsible for reviewing welding procedures, processes and documentation. A career as Welding Engineer involves conducting failure analyses and causes on welding issues.
QA Manager
A Quality Assurance (QA) Manager, synonymous with a Quality Assurance Manager, holds a pivotal role in ensuring products meet predefined standards. Responsible for planning, directing, and formulating control policies, the QA Manager safeguards company efficiency and profitability. By scrutinizing products for flaws and ensuring compliance with internal and external requirements, they uphold quality, validating the effectiveness of quality assurance teams in maintaining high standards before product release.
Quality Controller
A quality controller plays a crucial role in an organisation. He or she is responsible for performing quality checks on manufactured products. He or she identifies the defects in a product and rejects the product.
A quality controller records detailed information about products with defects and sends it to the supervisor or plant manager to take necessary actions to improve the production process.
Production Manager
A Production Manager oversees manufacturing processes, ensuring timely and budgeted delivery of products. Responsible for safe, cost-effective production meeting quality standards, their role adapts to the production system. Also known as an Operations Manager, they manage human and material resources, contributing to efficient production and service delivery.
Product Manager
A product manager is a professional who determines what a product should do and how it should look like. A product manager analyses customer needs and combines them with company goals to develop a product that satisfies everyone. He or she works in coordination with different departments like engineers, salespersons, and product designers to ensure everyone works towards achieving the company's goals.
A product manager develops strategies and plans to help the employees work towards a common goal that is to develop a product that the customers demand. He or she plays the role of the first point of contact in the organisation for anyone who needs to know about the product. Concerning larger programmes, they work with Technical Program Managers to deliver results.
QA Lead
A QA Lead is in charge of the QA Team. The role of QA Lead comes with the responsibility of assessing services and products in order to determine that he or she meets the quality standards. He or she develops, implements and manages test plans.
Structural Engineer
A Structural Engineer designs buildings, bridges, and other related structures. He or she analyzes the structures and makes sure the structures are strong enough to be used by the people. A career as a Structural Engineer requires working in the construction process. It comes under the civil engineering discipline. A Structure Engineer creates structural models with the help of computer-aided design software.
Process Development Engineer
The Process Development Engineers design, implement, manufacture, mine, and other production systems using technical knowledge and expertise in the industry. They use computer modeling software to test technologies and machinery. An individual who is opting career as Process Development Engineer is responsible for developing cost-effective and efficient processes. They also monitor the production process and ensure it functions smoothly and efficiently.