In 2025, the finance and business world is rapidly evolving, and having the right qualifications can make a decisive difference in your career. For aspiring finance professionals, the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants or more widely known and abbreviated as CIMA, offers a globally recognised qualification that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and strategic mindset to excel in dynamic business environments. With a CIMA qualification, you gain the credibility, expertise, and opportunities to stand out in top organisations worldwide.
At Nanaska, we not only guide students through the entirety of their CIMA course but also provide a supportive, practical, and affordable learning experience. Our approach ensures that every student not only understands the theory behind each stage in each of the levels but also gains the practical skills needed to excel in real-world business environments.
In this article we explore:
What is CIMA?
Nanaska’s CIMA Programme Offerings
Certificate Level (Cert BA)
Operational Level
Management Level
Strategic Level
Why Choose Nanaska?
Students Frequently Ask
What is CIMA?
AICPA and CIMA is the world’s largest and leading professional body of management accountants, with over 597,000 members, candidates and registrants in 188 countries and territories where Association members live and work. CIMA Sri Lanka, is the local division established to provide support, resources, and guidance for Sri Lankan students pursuing this globally recognised qualification. It equips individuals with skills in finance, strategy, and business management, enabling them to make impactful decisions in organisations. This qualification spans multiple CIMA levels, from the entry-level Certificate in Business Accounting to the Strategic level, ultimately leading to associate membership and the award of the ACMA and CGMA designations.
Nanaska’s CIMA Qualification Offerings
The Certificate in Business Accounting is the first step into the professional CIMA qualification, designed for students with little or no prior accounting knowledge. This level develops foundational skills across business and finance, creating a solid stepping stone toward advanced studies. The syllabus includes:
The Operational level emphasises short-term planning and execution, helping students transform medium-term strategies into actionable plans. At this stage, candidates learn to prepare financial statements, provide management accounting information, and use tools such as cost analysis and budgeting to support decision-making. Students also gain exposure to digital technologies and their role in finance functions. Completion of this level leads to the CIMA Diploma in Management Accounting (CIMA Dip MA), thereby effectively marking a key milestone in your journey through your CIMA course. With Nanaska’s structured teaching methods and exam-focused preparation, students build the confidence to tackle both objective tests and case study exams successfully.
The syllabus at this stage includes:
To read more about our Operational Level course breakdown, click here.
At the Management level, candidates learn to translate long-term strategies into medium-term plans, focusing on areas such as performance evaluation, project management, and financial reporting interpretation. This level helps students develop leadership skills, enabling them to manage teams and resources more effectively while delivering insights that influence managerial decision-making, thereby effectively reflecting the role of a finance manager. Successful completion of this stage awards students the CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting (CIMA Adv Dip MA). With Nanaska’s practical examples, tailored mentoring, and interactive sessions, learners gain both the technical expertise and the strategic outlook required to advance their careers.
This syllabus includes:
To read more about our Management Level courses, click here.
The Strategic level focuses on long-term strategic decision-making and equips students with the skills to guide organisations through complex business challenges faced by top finance and accounting professionals like a Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Topics covered include risk management, financial strategy, and business valuation, all of which are critical for leaders operating in global markets. Students are trained to evaluate and manage risks, secure financial resources, and influence senior stakeholders at the board level. Successful completion of practical experience requirements at this stage leads to associate membership, granting the ACMA and CGMA designations. Nanaska’s tailored coaching ensures students master case studies, strategic concepts, and practical execution, while benefiting from the expertise of lecturers who have guided numerous prize-winning candidates. This final stage prepares learners to become highly skilled finance leaders with the ability to shape organisational direction.
This syllabus includes:
To read more about our Strategic Level courses and the breakdown, click here.
Nanaska combines exam-focused preparation with practical application. Students enjoy:
- Specialist Lecturers with experience in guiding through all CIMA levels.
- Individual Attention with 1-on-1 support.
- 100% Remote Learning that allows anyone to study and attend classes from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.
- Practical Exam Preparation with up to 10 mock exams that mirror real CIMA course exam conditions through Nanaska's own exam engine.
- Comprehensive Resources including live class recordings, supplementary materials, which is all accessible through our modern LMS.
Nanaska strengthens learning with specialist lecturers, led by Mr. Channa Gunawardana (MBA, FCA, FCMA, BSc First Class), a CIMA case study specialist and current CIMA Global Council member. Serving as the CEO of a public listed company in Sri Lanka, he brings over 21 years of lecturing experience and has produced more than 95% of Sri Lankan prize winners, including global prize winners, in the past decade. Mr. Gunawardana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy and Financial Management from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Southern Queensland, Australia, and is currently pursuing a PhD at the Management and Science University, Malaysia. Students benefit from his expertise through live sessions, recorded classes, 1-on-1 support, comprehensive revision, and 10 total mock exams. A modern Learning Management System (LMS) and subject-wise WhatsApp groups further enhance accessibility and collaboration.
Explore all the benefits of studying with Nanaska here.
Students Frequently Ask
How long is the CIMA course in Sri Lanka?
The traditional route to completing your CIMA certification can take several years. Nanaska’s CGMA Finance Leadership Program (FLP) provides an accelerated pathway, enabling students to complete the full qualification in just 12 months.
How much does CIMA cost?
This can vary depending on your starting level and any exemptions. While tuition costs itself differ across institutions, the CIMA Sri Lanka institute provides a detailed breakdown of the official CIMA course fees, as well as other resources, including exam and registration charges that can be referred to here. Nanaska itself offers affordable and competitive tuition fees, helping students navigate this part with clarity and transparency. New candidates pay a one-time registration fee, which includes their first year’s subscription. The fees for each of the CIMA levels are outlined as follows:
Note: The CIMA® subscription year runs from 1 January until 31 December of that year.
| Category | Cost (GBP) |
|---|
| Registration (one-time payment) | £99 |
| Re-registration | £99 |
| New candidates (first year's subscription fee) | Free |
| Candidates | £145 |
| Affiliates (short study break) | £99 |
| Candidates who passed Strategic Case Study | £330 |
| Practical Experience Requirements (PER) application fee | £199 |
| Certificate in Business Accounting - Objective Test (per exam) | £106 |
| Operational Level Objective Test (per exam) | £129 |
| Operational Level Case Study | £231 |
| Management Level Objective Test | £148 |
| Management Level Case Study | £240 |
| Strategic Level Objective Test | £231 |
| Strategic Level Case Study | £340 |
Additionally, to give students a clearer understanding of the investment required, the table below outlines the CGMA FLP 1-Year Subscription Fee and what it includes. This all-inclusive package brings together registration, annual subscription, tuition, and exam costs, ensuring complete transparency. The breakdown below shows exactly what is covered under the subscription.
Note: For undergraduate students, the FLP Undergraduate Programme allows you to complete CGMA - FLP parallel to your university studies on a discounted arrangement.
| Category | Details |
|---|
| CGMA FLP 1 Year Subscription Fee | 2000 GBP |
| CIMA Registration Fee | Included |
| CIMA Annual Subscription for the year | Included |
| CIMA Case Study exam fees | 2 credits each exam |
| CIMA Registration re-activation fee (if applicable) | Included |
| Tuition Fee for All your Self Assessments Subjects | Included |
| Case Study Exam Tuition Fee | 1 Attempt for Each Case |
What qualifications do I need for CIMA?
To begin your CIMA course journey, you don’t need prior accounting knowledge. The entry-level CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting is open to beginners, while exemptions are available for others.
Is CIMA in demand?
Yes, CIMA graduates and CGMAs are in high demand globally. CIMA members live and work in over 188 countries, making it a truly global qualification. In particular, the CIMA Sri Lanka division also supports candidates with a plethora of resources and guidance to meet this growing demand. Check it out here.
Is there a fast track to CIMA?
Yes, Nanaska’s custom CGMA Finance Leadership Program (FLP) allows students to fast-track their CIMA course in just 12 months. This accelerated pathway is recognised and supported by CIMA Sri Lanka, ensuring compliance with local standards and global accreditation. Read more about Nanaska’s FLP program in this PDF article and discover how it can help you achieve your CIMA goals efficiently.
Interested in exploring Nanaska and what we have to offer ? Register with Nanaska today, or get in touch with us, and our excellent support team will answer all your questions.
In our next article, we provide a detailed guide to the FLP program, including how it works, the benefits it offers, and how it can help you achieve your CIMA goals efficiently.
