Pros & Cons of the CIMA Finance Leadership Programme

[@v.zohrab]

Thank you very much for your video! You again motivated me to start studying CIMA. I failed my exam Management Accounting (result 79, minimum pass score 80). After watching a few videos including this I decided to start my CIMA journey again!

[@CRAIGO10]

You can do it! Good luck mate!!

[@Alivehappyhuman]

Thank you for your honest opinion!! Came across and subscribed to your channel few weeks back as I have been thinking about restarting studies with FLP after dropping it 8-10 years ago! Made the decision to do it under FLP but under No illusion that journey will be tough on Case studies! 😅 Keep the videos coming! 👍

[@CRAIGO10]

I’m glad I made you a happy human!! 😄😆 good luck! I’m sure you’ll smash it! Case study will be hard work but nothing easy is worthwhile :)

[@Alivehappyhuman]

I may soon have to rethink my username once I start the studies!!! 😂

[@CRAIGO10]

@@Alivehappyhuman hahahaha!!

[@hanzlahnisar1373]

How's it going so far?

[@NeilQuadros]

The audio for this video is a little low compared to your others just FYI. Great video. Thank you for the information

[@CRAIGO10]

Thank you. Sound was tricky with this layout as I faced a blank wall and a window, which caused an echo effect in audio! I’ve moved the room around and added a sofa in it so for future videos sounds will be a notch up due to less echo 😄

[@Krishna-bj1iy]

Helpful video, thanks! :)

[@ogtaykarimov9056]

thank for the video.. Could you please advice if you have a good teacher for CIMA?

[@CRAIGO10]

Astranti is great! 😊

[@FinancialFaiz]

Craigo, great video! Learned a lot from it. Love the chaptering as well as concise explanations on FLP's pros and cons. However, if I may, the sound effects in this video are a little too loud. I would usually "normalize" the sound effects that I get off the internet to a few levels below my own voice - had the same problem with my editors, learned it the hard way. On that note, would you say that if I want to get CIMA as quick as possible FLP be the better path?

[@CRAIGO10]

Thank you for the comment & constructive feedback Faiz. Glad you were able to extract value from the video. Sounds effects is something I am continuing to work on as I’m aware sometimes they’re a little too loud. I’ll be honest, I’m not 100% sure and wouldn’t want to incorrectly advise however I have heard instances where people are working through FLP at a rapid rate!

[@gavinstuart6704]

Hi craigo, I'm currently serving in the royal navy, They have funding to fully pay a degree for myself. Im looking to do accounting and finance with the open university and it has exemptions for the CIMA charter qualification. Did you yourself take a degree in accounting and did you use your exemptions? I'm also trying to weigh up if its worth doing the degree or instead use the AAT route. Im planning on staying in the navy for another 5 years as im doing the degree to prepare myself for a career transition out of military service. I like the degree route as i realise by simply having a degree behind you it still opens doors for you in other unrelated professions ( I do want to pursue accounting) But i like having options. Would like to hear your thoughts, or point me to one of your videos, thanks!

[@CRAIGO10]

Hello Gavin - Thank you for the message, certainly the first I have had in this nature. My degree was in Business & Finance which qualified me for two exemptions, I took them and finished the two remaining exams in the Certificate Level. If it was my decision, it would all depend on how sure I am that a career in Accounting is something I want to pursue. If unsure then I would probably go down the degree route. If you're sure then AAT/Certificate Level CIMA would certainly be the route i'd take. One final consideration is that in order to become a CGMA you'll need to do the work experience & if I remember correctly you'll have to demonstrate the work experience within 3 years of passing the strategic case study, it sounds like this may not be achievable? Hope this helps & shout if any Q's on the above! Thanks, Craig

[@gavinstuart6704]

@@CRAIGO10 Thanks for the reply, Just one queerie, in regards to the work experince. Do I need this prior to starting the CGMA? Or can i self study the AAT 2 /3 gain employment and buld the work experince while studying and sitting the CIMA exams? Going the AAT route would be faster so i would most likely leave the forces sooner, and try and get a begginer role such as an accounts assistant to build up that work experince.

[@CRAIGO10]

Nope, not necessarily. Work experience can be from before, during & after you have finished your exams :) AAT you can complete in a year I believe, as you said, would help you to gain experience and understanding within the finance function :)

[@gavinstuart6704]

@@CRAIGO10 Thanks craigo, Even if i leave the forces, I can still access the funding as a civilian up to 5 years upon leaving, so i can still pursue a paid for degree luckily. In this case I think I'll go down the AAT route and revisit university another time in my life. I've binged your videos and you've made it certain to me that CIMA is the qualifcation that I want to pursue. So a big thank you! Unrelated note my grandad served in the Royal navy and then became a chartered accountant and treasurer for my county. So quite literally be following his footsteps.

[@masegomoruakgomo9033]

I have exemptions to start through the masters gateway but I’ve been out of the accounting industry for about 8 years even the Masters is about 8years old. So I have a lot of catching up to do, would you advise I enroll on the gateway or the flp starting at managerial?

[@CRAIGO10]

That’s a real tough one! You’ll have a lot of work to do! I honestly wouldn’t recommend one over the other. Immediately it wouldn’t matter as you’ll need to sit the MCS regardless 😃

[@dejimmy7504]

Thanks Craigo! I’ve only passed E1 and P1 so far and I’m now thinking of switching to FLP. Does anyone know if I’d still have to pay the full price of the whole operational level if I switched to FLP?

[@CRAIGO10]

I believe so, although consult with CIMA, they may have an alternative payment for this 😃

[@ArmanAli-qo9yr]

Hello Craigo I just wanted to ask that are there opportunities in UK for international students who are studying towards or have completed CIMA because someone told me that A levels from UK is necessary and they don't hire students from abroad??? I haven't done A levels but I am fluent in English and have A grade overall in English and Maths in A levels equivalent study in my country......

[@CRAIGO10]

Hello Arman, You'd have to look at the immigration process, as far as I'm aware you'll probably need sponsorship from a corporation to stand a best chance. Honestly though I have no idea, i recommend doing your own research. It's legal processes rather than an organisation not hiring you, Thanks, Craig

[@LeggyW]

Great video bro

[@CRAIGO10]

Thanks man!!

[@hnatt5879]

Good summary! FLP for me to complete final stage. Cheers Craigo!

[@CRAIGO10]

Thanks man much appreciated! It’s a very attractive option at Strategic level if it’s all you have left for sure! Good luck!

[@hnatt5879]

@@CRAIGO10 hoping this platform can finish up within 1 year. Not a fan of the OTs!

[@CRAIGO10]

@@hnatt5879 I’ve certainly heard from colleagues that you can do a level in months!

[@hnatt5879]

@@CRAIGO10 Great to hear!

[@Lalaundercover389]

Hey as of 2024 I still can’t switch back?

[@CRAIGO10]

Good question, I heard rumours of this changing however I'm not sure!

[@pheaganemokoena]

So does FLP start with certificate level or the operational level?

[@CRAIGO10]

Operational level! You’ll need to sit the OT’s at Certificate level 😄

[@CRAIGO10]

@@hansanikularatne5287 CGMA is the designation. FLP starts at operational :)

[@CRAIGO10]

@@hansanikularatne5287 take a look at CIMA’s website, 99% sure it’s operational level!

[@nafizhaq4554]

I don’t agree with the cons, because the way we accumulate knowledge in 21st century has change, the exam we used to sit in traditional exam setting doesn’t really add much value at workplaces rather it cost time, money and more importantly the knowledge to only pass (most cases) vs bite size learning that has more impact on practical application. Also the FLP program would give prospective student spontaneity vs the traditional exam process that is demotivating if you not succeed. With regards to switchback to traditional route, last time I checked with CIMA it is possible provided the full level is complete and subscription expire, but I might be wrong on that.

[@CRAIGO10]

While I agree with you on the use of the exams. The reality is you’ll still have to learn all of the material in order to sit the case study exam. If CIMA had removed the CS exams then yes I agree. But they haven’t, they still remain and therefore this is a con of the FLP route..

[@ishmaelbraimah7156]

You are right. You can switch back but you will lose the lump sum you paid for the FLP route.

[@KNathi1]

The price is the biggest problem for me.

[@CRAIGO10]

Of FLP? Cheaper than most exams routes, no?

[@KNathi1]

@CRAIGO10 In South Africa it's not. For CertBA I spent 32k which is far cheaper than a 1 year subscription which is like 65k.

[@CRAIGO10]

@ interesting! My whole CIMA journey cost £12,000. FLP can be done for half that from memory!

[@KNathi1]

@@CRAIGO10 I did a bit more digging and it turns out you can do FLP for about £6200 for a 3 year subscription (no extras whatsoever). But institutions also try and upsell other things as well so, I guess now the confusion is why I'll just stick to what I know.

[@CRAIGO10]

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[@ArmanAli-qo9yr]

Hey Craigo Actually I have enrolled my self into CIMA I am 18 years old I want to start PER abroad should I shift right now or how many papers should I pass before shifting?

[@CRAIGO10]

Congrats on taking the step! I recommend getting experience alongside your exams!

[@ArmanAli-qo9yr]

@@CRAIGO10 I just wanted to ask weather I should start PER directly after 12th along CIMA studies or should I achieve the first certificate and then start ??

[@CRAIGO10]

I have no knowledge of your education i'm afraid. You'll need to find the answer for that elsewhere.

[@ArmanAli-qo9yr]

@@CRAIGO10 I have done A levels

[@CRAIGO10]

@@ArmanAli-qo9yr got you. Honestly it doesn’t matter! :)