Certificate in Business Accounting
The Certificate in Business Accounting 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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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 (Cert BA).
Entry requirements
There are no formal entry requirements, but you are expected to have good mathematical and English skills.
You should check whether you're eligible on the AIPCA and CIMA website launch and apply for any exemptions before you start studying.
Please be aware, you can only buy up to four subjects in a six month period.
Syllabus
The Certificate in Business Accounting, gives you fundamental knowledge of business and accounting.
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.
picture_as_pdf Live Online timetable
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.
Exams and sittings
CIMA's 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
Your study materials, reimagined
When it comes to study materials, 9/10 Kaplan learners surveyed preferred a mix of digital and printed. We know Live Online learners regard our Revision Cards and Integrated Workbooks as their most used resources, that’s why they will continue to be printed and delivered straight to your door*. Our Study Text and Exam Kit are now digital. These interactive eBooks will support you with your studies and feature tools designed to complement your learning. Not only will you be able to highlight, note-take and search in seconds, but complicated terms will be simply explained with a dictionary at your fingertips, these eBooks are accessible anywhere, anytime, and on any device through Bibliu.
play_circle_filled Find out more about our CIMA Certificate resources
Our materials are CIMA's only official study materials that cover the full syllabus and are reviewed and approved by CIMA faculty, so you can be sure they include everything you need to know.
*One-time buy Live Online courses only.
Study Text eBook powered by Bibliu
Our Study Text ebook covers the full syllabus and includes examples and activities. Plus, tools to revolutionise your learning - highlight, note-take and search in seconds.
Integrated Workbook
Is a condensed version of the Study Text, with room to write notes it will help guide you through the syllabus.
Live Online courses: a printed version.
OnDemand courses: a digital version.
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.
Live Online courses: a printed version.
OnDemand courses: a digital version.
Exam Practice Kit eBook powered by Bibliu
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
Interactive tutor-led video modules that teach the whole syllabus and extend learning via tricky topic tutorials.
To buy the materials separately
You can buy CIMA's official books for each subject on this level.
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 - RM60
Rest of Asia/America - $47
All other countries - €40
Please note that due to varying interpretations of the post-Brexit EU/UK trading agreement, some EU countries are imposing import duty on the value of the goods received from the UK. It is payable by the end consumer via the delivery company and your delivery may be withheld until paid. This may vary from country to country and be up to a value of 20% of the value of the study material.
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 one-time buy Live Online courses, as they include a selection of 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
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
play_circle_filled Watch our video explaining MyKaplan (1:26)
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 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.
Live Online
Three months from last lesson date, with one three month free extension on request.
OnDemand
As long as the subscription is active, content will be made available.
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.
picture_as_pdf Live Online timetable
Try CIMA Objective Test for FREE
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.
Exams and sittings
CIMA Professional Management is made up of three Objective Test subjects and one Case Study. You must pass all three Objective Tests before moving onto the Case Study, which tests what you’ve learned overall in the level. You need to pass all exams to be able to progress to the Strategic level.
The Objective Tests are computer-based and are 90 minutes each. The exams can be sat at any time of the year, and can be taken in any order. All exams are marked by computer. 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.
The Case Study exam is 3 hours long, is computer-based, and available to take in four windows throughout the year (February, May, August, November). The exam is based on a pre-seen that will be released approximately 7 weeks before the exam window. The pre-seen will be valid for two sittings, one pre-seen for May and August and another for November and February. It is marked by a human, and results are available 5 weeks after the close of the exam window. It will test your research and analysis skills, how you present information, and your persuasion and communication skills.
Study materials and delivery costs
Study materials vary based on the study method you choose, your course start date, and whether you're studying an Objective Test or Case Study course.
When it comes to study materials, 9/10 Kaplan learners surveyed preferred a mix of digital and printed. We know Live Online learners value our Integrated Workbooks and Revision Cards as their most used resources, that’s why they will continue to be printed and delivered straight to your door*. For all Live Online Objective Test courses starting after the 1st July 2024 and Case Study courses starting after the 24th June 2024 our Study Text and Exam Kit will be going digital. These new interactive eBooks will support you with your studies and feature tools designed to complement your learning. Not only will you be able to highlight, note-take and search in seconds, but complicated terms will be simply explained with a dictionary at your fingertips, these eBooks are accessible anywhere, anytime, and on any device through Bibliu.
play_circle_filled Find out more about our CIMA resources
We are CIMA's only official publisher so you can be sure that our materials include everything you need to know.
*Objective Test Live Online courses only.
The following material is included with the Objective Test courses:
Study Text
Our Study Text covers the full syllabus and includes examples and activities.
Live Online courses starting before 30th June 2024 - a printed textbook with an online version.
Live Online courses starting after 1st July 2024 - an interactive eBook powered by Bibliu.
OnDemand courses: an online version of the textbook.
Integrated Workbook
Is a condensed version of the Study Text, with room to write notes it will help guide you through the syllabus.
Live Online courses: a printed version and a digital PDF version
OnDemand courses: a digital version
Study modules
Engaging, online modules including bite-sized tutor led lectures taking you step by step through the whole syllabus.
Application modules
These modules help you to deepen your knowledge of key topics, see how what you have studied can fit together and how it could be applied to practical scenarios.
Study programme
Outlines the course structure, providing support on what to do and when to do it.
For Live Online your study programme is accessed on MyKaplan and is integrated into your course.
For OnDemand, the study programme outlines the recommended weekly pace, however, there is a customisable version available if you wish to study at your own pace.
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.
Live Online courses: a printed version and digital PDF version
OnDemand courses: a digital version
Exam Practice Kit
Includes exam style questions and answers so you can test your knowledge.
Live Online courses starting before 30th June 2024 - a printed exam kit with an online version.
Live Online courses starting after 1st July 2024 - an interactive eBook powered by Bibliu.
OnDemand courses: an online version of the exam kit.
The following material is included with the Case Study courses:
Study Text
CIMA's official textbook covers how to prepare for your integrated case study exam, including worked examples and activities.
Live Online courses starting before 23rd June 2024 - a printed textbook with an online version.
Live Online courses starting after 24th June 2024 - an interactive eBook powered by Bibliu.
OnDemand courses - an online version of the textbook.
Familiarisation and Practice Workbook
A tool you can use to prepare for your exams, based on the case study. It includes ethical considerations, key issues, and how to prioritise and plan your answer. The workbook includes 10-12 case specific tasks including a familiarisation quiz and exercises. This is available online or printed for Live Online students and online only for OnDemand students, however you can download it and print it out.
Case analysis video
Via video, a tutor will walk you through the pre-seen material on the live case study. They will highlight the key points and potential examinable topics.
Technical recap modules and notes
Recordings and notes that will help you to recap the key syllabus areas from the underpinning subjects. They will also introduce you to ways that they could be examined in the Case Study exam.
OnDemand learners will have access to digital materials, and will have the option to buy hard copy materials.
To buy the materials separately
You can buy CIMA's official books for each subject on this level.
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 - RM60
Rest of Asia/America - $47
All other countries - €40
Please note that due to varying interpretations of the post-Brexit EU/UK trading agreement, some EU countries are imposing import duty on the value of the goods received from the UK. It is payable by the end consumer via the delivery company and your delivery may be withheld until paid. This may vary from country to country and be up to a value of 20% of the value of the study material.
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 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.
For the Objective Test, all study options come with the following:
Knowledge checks
As you go along, knowledge checks help assess your understanding of a topic before you move onto the next one.
Consolidation test
Each course has a consolidation test approximately two thirds of the way through the knowledge/application phase. It has the same look and feel as the real exam but is a little shorter, with 40 questions. It'll test how you are doing and allow you to identify and address problem areas early on in the course so they don't become 'big problems'.
Progress test
Check your understanding with this exam standard test. It has the same look and feel as the real exam so is a great start to your revision. It will help pinpoint your weaker areas to help you focus your exam preparation on the topics that need most attention.
Test yourself
An online question bank made up of hundreds of questions, so you can build your own tests to target weak areas, or to check your overall knowledge.
Two mock exams
Practice your exam technique and check your progress with two mock exams. The mocks have the same look and feel as the actual exam.
Case Study
The Case Study is a difficult exam, testing your overall knowledge across the level. You are tested with a written exam, based on a business scenario. We support you with resources that match the feel of the real Case Study:
3 mock exams based on the live case
All marked with personalised feedback.
Recorded debrief of all 3 mocks
To help you understand the approach you should have taken and some common mistakes that were made.
MyKaplan: online learning environment
play_circle_filled Watch our video explaining MyKaplan (1:26)
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 (Objective Tests)
- Take part in forum discussions with students and tutors and find answers to common questions
- See instantly when your assessments have been marked (Case Study)
- Access on mobile, tablet, computer or through the dedicated mobile app
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.
Live Online
Three months from last lesson date, with one three month free extension on request.
OnDemand
As long as the subscription is active, content will be made available.
For the Case Study, access durations are all six months after the selected exam sitting.
