CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting

The Certificate in Business Accounting (Cert BA) is your starting point if you’re new to accountancy. You’ll learn the fundamentals of business economics, financial accounting, management accounting, and ethical considerations of commercial activity. Most students take around 12 months to complete this qualification, which consists of four subjects, assessed by computer-based exams. Once completed, you could move on to study the Professional qualification.

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Structure

CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting is made up of four mandatory subjects. You must pass all four subject assessments to be awarded the Certificate in Business Accounting qualification.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements, but you are expected to have good mathematical and English skills.

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You should check whether you're eligible on the CIMA website launch and apply for any exemptions before you start studying.

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Please be aware, you can only buy up to four subjects in a six month period.

Syllabus

The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting (Cert BA), gives you fundamental knowledge of business and accounting.

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Subjects (4)

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Fundamentals of Business Economics (BA1)

Essential

You’ll learn about the economic and operating context of business, and how competition, financial markets and government economic policy can affect a company.

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Distance Learning

OnDemand

Fundamentals of Management Accounting (BA2)

Essential

You’ll learn the knowledge and techniques of management accounting and the role of management accounting in the commercial and public sector.

Live Online

Distance Learning

OnDemand

Fundamentals of Financial Accounting (BA3)

Essential

You’ll learn how to prepare financial statements for single entities within a conceptual and regulatory framework.

Live Online

Distance Learning

OnDemand

Fundamentals of Ethics, Corp Gov & Bus Law (BA4)

Essential

You’ll learn how ethics underpins commercial activity. You’ll be able to identify ethical dilemmas, understand the implications, and appropriate resolution.

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Distance Learning

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Course overview

Timetables and study methods

Study methods available for this level

Live Online

The benefits of a traditional classroom but with the flexibility of an online environment. Live interactive classes at a scheduled time delivered by expert lecturers following the same exam focused material and structure as traditional classroom courses.

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OnDemand

OnDemand gives you the flexibility to study when and where you want, with unique online resources designed to give you structure, keep you motivated, and cement your understanding of the subject.

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Distance Learning

Distance Learning is our most flexible study option, allowing you to study independently in your own time, at your own pace, from anywhere. We provide a range of online and printed learning materials, that are written by our experts, and you’ll still get tutor support if you need it.

Exams and sittings

CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting assessments are on demand objective tests which can be sat at any time throughout the year. You can sit these in any order but you must have completed all 4 assessments before you can move on to the Professional qualification. The exams are 2 hours long and are computer based. At the end of the exam you will be given a provisional pass/fail result which will then be confirmed on your MY CIMA account within 48 hours.

Study materials and delivery costs

All students will receive printed and online materials. We are the only official CIMA publisher so you can be sure that our materials include everything you need to know.

Study Text

Our Study Text covers the full syllabus and includes examples and activities.

Integrated Workbook (not included for Distance Learning)

Is a condensed version of the Study Text, with room to write notes it will help guide you through the syllabus.

Revision Cards

These are brief notes on the essential topics from the syllabus and being pocket sized, they are handy for taking out and about with you.

Exam Practice Kit

Includes exam style questions and answers so you can test your knowledge.

Integrated study programme

Built into the course providing guidance on what to do, and when.

eLearning modules (Live Online and OnDemand only)

Interactive tutor-led video modules that teach the whole syllabus and extend learning via tricky topic tutorials.

eLearning resources (Distance Learning only)

eLearning contains over 120 hours of CIMA approved content.

To buy the materials separately

You can buy CIMA books for each subject on this level from Kaplan Publishing.

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Delivery costs

How much it costs to deliver your study materials and how long it takes depends on where in the world you live.

Delivery fees are as follows:
Malaysia - 160RM
Rest of Asia/America - $47
All other countries - €25

Our standard delivery times are:
Malaysia - 3 to 5 working days*
EU – 5 to 7 working days*
Rest of the World – 7 to 10 working days*
*Subject to availability

Delivery charges apply to all Distance Learning, OnDemand and Live Online courses which include printed materials. If delivery charges are applicable for your course, they will be shown during the online checkout process, before you complete your payment details.

Tutor support

We’ll support you every step of the way throughout your learning experience with us. You can contact a tutor and get the help you need quickly and easily.

Provided by our Academic Support team (our dedicated team of expert tutors):

LiveChat (instant feedback)
Email (we'll get back to you within 4 hrs)
Discussion Forum and online community (we’ll get back to you within 4 hrs)

Testing and mocks

As part of your course you will get access to various tests and mocks on MyKaplan which will help you to prepare for your exams. These include:

Knowledge Checks

These tests are placed throughout your course to check your understanding of a topic before you move on to the next one.

Test Yourself (Live Online and OnDemand) / Test Builder (Distance Learning)

Use these banks of questions to build your own tests, choosing the subject areas, number of questions and whether to have a time limit.

Mock Exams

Your two mock exams which have the same look and feel as the real exam, will be at the end of your course so you can use these to do final revision and exam practice just before you sit your exam.

MyKaplan: online learning environment

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MyKaplan is an online learning portal with practical resources to help you prepare for your exams.

Online features

View your online materials in one place and access your content in a few clicks
Contact a tutor directly using live chat or email
Complete tests and get instant feedback
Take part in forum discussions with students and tutors and find answers to common questions
Access on mobile, tablet, computer or through the dedicated mobile app
Access to VideoBank - hundreds of tutor-led videos to help you get the most out of your course.

Access duration

Your chosen study method determines how long you can access your content for. All extensions are for existing content and do not include any updated content.