The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Cape Coast (UCC) for the CGMA Finance Leadership Program.

This is a new, remote, digital, self-paced learning programme that will be available for all UCC business, accounting, and finance students.

Traditional in-person tuition and examination methods are being challenged by digital acceleration and the Covid-19 pandemic.

The CGMA Finance Leadership Program enables instant online access for aspiring business and finance leaders to learn finance skills to the equivalent of a master’s degree.

It also provides a new guided learning and assessment route to completing the CIMA Professional Qualification and earning the CGMA designation.

With the help of real-life case simulations, it teaches a mix of finance, accounting, business, people, leadership, and digital skills that are needed to build successful careers.  

Students can start their learning journey at an appropriate entry-level, building on existing educational achievements, credentials, and practical experience.

Their employer or university is then able to monitor and support students as they progress. Students will need to pass only three exams – operational level, management level and strategic level, to obtain the CIMA Professional Qualification. 

On successfully completing the programme, students earn CIMA membership at either the ACMA or FCMA level in addition to the prestigious CGMA designation.

CGMA designation holders are in demand from the world’s leading companies and offer a route to a varied career, supporting both national and global economies.

The CGMA Finance Leadership Program also connects students and universities to the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association), the global accounting organisation formed by CIMA and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), plus its network of almost 700,000 members, students and engaged professionals.

The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Paul Aninakwah, Country Director– Ghana at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, representing AICPA & CIMA, and Prof. Johnson Nyarko Boampong, Vice Chancellor at the University of Cape Coast.

ACMA, CGMA, Country Director – Ghana at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, Paul Aninakwah said, “I am really excited about this partnership with the University of Cape Coast.

“This will enable many undergraduates to complete the CIMA Professional Qualification and earn the prestigious CGMA designation. Having both will enhance the employability of the graduates, clearly demonstrating the value they can add to a business.”

Dean at the University of Cape Coast, School of Business, Prof John G. Gatsi lauded the signing of the MoU between the University of Cape Coast and CIMA.

He said that this would allow "current students and alumni of the School of Business to benefit from CIMA Finance Leadership Programme, a program that uses technology to bring the best out of the beneficiaries."

He said the School of Business will work closely with CIMA and other professional bodies to help students benefit from skills development, professional experience and take advantage of the course materials to enhance students' ability to pass professional examinations. Prof. John G. Gatsi.”

To mark the launch of this new partnership, CIMA is offering University of Cape Coast students and alumni who graduated after 2016, a 75 per cent discount on the cost of the CGMA Finance Leadership Program.