CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting

For those new to accountancy, the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting provides you with fundamental business and accounting knowledge so you can take your first step in becoming a chartered management accountant in Malaysia. It's also the entry point into the full CIMA CGMA Professional Qualification.

As the only official publisher of CIMA-approved material in the country, Kaplan’s CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting online course provides learners with everything they need to succeed. Choose from two award-winning flexible study methods and achieve the Certificate in Business Accounting designation while balancing existing commitments and responsibilities.

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Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements to complete your CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting. However, learners are expected to have good mathematical and English skills.

You can use the AICPA and CIMA exemptions calculator online to see if you are eligible for any exemptions before you start studying.

CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting modules

The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting is made up of four mandatory subjects. You must pass all four to be awarded the Certificate in Business Accounting designation (Cert BA).

Subjects (4)

Compare study methods ›

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.

done

Live Online

From US $ 388.00

done

OnDemand

From US $ 88/month

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.

done

Live Online

From US $ 388.00

done

OnDemand

From US $ 88/month

Fundamentals of Financial Accounting (BA3)

Essential

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

done

Live Online

From US $ 388.00

done

OnDemand

From US $ 88/month

Fundamentals of Ethics Corp Gov and 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.

done

Live Online

From US $ 388.00

done

OnDemand

From US $ 88/month

Final exams

There is a computer-based exam at the end of each CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting module, which is two hours long. You must pass all four of these exams to complete your CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting and move on to the Professional Operational level. This is the first level of CIMA’s CGMA Professional qualification, followed by Management and Strategic.

Your CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting exams can be taken at any time of the year and in any order. At the end of each exam, you will receive a provisional pass/fail result which will be confirmed on your MY CIMA account within 48 hours.

How long does it take to pass your CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting?

It takes most students around 12 months to complete this qualification, however, this timeframe can vary depending on how many hours you can commit to your studies.

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Why Malaysian learners choose Kaplan

Kaplan has helped thousands of learners around the world complete their CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting, including those in Malaysia taking their first step to becoming a chartered management accountant in the country.

So great is this success that Kaplan is now Malaysia's go-to provider of professional accountancy courses. But why do so many Malaysian learners continue to choose Kaplan?

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High pass rates

Our Certificate in Business Accounting pass rates are 17% higher than the global average*

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CIMA-approved training provider

This means we've been recognised as meeting specific quality standards in our teaching and learning materials, as well as giving you everything you need to pass your CIMA exams first time.

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Awards winners

We've won countless awards over the years, including the 2023 Learning Technologies Award for Excellence in the Design of Learning Content.

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Affordable payment plans

Pay for your CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting online course through three flexible payment plans: monthly, every 3 months, or every 12 months. Kaplan courses are also 100% claimable via the HRD Corp**.

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Expert tutors

Get taught by subject experts with years of experience in the industry. Kaplan’s Academic Support team are on hand to help with everything from exam support and progression plans to subject queries.

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Out-of-hours support

Reach out to lecturers outside the classroom 7 days a week. You can get help quickly and easily through our LiveChat, discussion forum and online community, and email service.

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Excellent value for money

The price of our CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting online course includes all the resources you need to succeed. Better yet, learners who are members of the MIA receive a 10% discount on our Live Online courses.

*Versus the global average pass rate of 65%, across Certificate exams in 2023. Valid as of 2024.

**Terms and conditions apply.

CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting learning materials

All Kaplan learners receive a number of learning resources to accompany their studies. These materials are CIMA's only official study materials and include everything you need to know to prepare for your CIMA Certificate exams.

Digital Study Text powered by BibliU

An interactive digital eBook textbook covering the full subject syllabus designed with tools to complement your learning. View quick summaries of complicated terms, highlight tricky topics and take notes on anything you want to come back to.

Integrated Workbook

Be guided through the syllabus with this key study resource with space for handwritten notes and pointers on how and when to use your other study materials. Live Online learners receive a printed version of our integrated workbook while OnDemand learners receive a standard digital PDF version.

Revision Cards

Learn on the go with our revision cards, designed with brief notes on the essential syllabus topics. Live Online learners get a printed version of these pocket-sized notes, while those studying with Kaplan OnDemand receive a digital version.

Digital Exam Kit powered by BibliU

Test your knowledge ahead of your mock exams and prepare for the real thing with our interactive digital exam kit, including helpful exam-style questions.

eLearning modules

Refresh your knowledge of the syllabus with interactive tutor-led video modules and extend your learning with tricky-topic tutorials.

MyKaplan

Our online learning platform contains a wealth of resources to prepare you for your CIMA Certificate exams. You can also reach out to your lecturers, test your knowledge with instant feedback, and connect with other CIMA learners from around the world.

Books for CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting

Malaysian learners can also buy CIMA's official books for every module at this level separately at Kaplan's online bookstore. Delivery costs RM60 and takes between 3 to 5 working days.

*Subject to availability

Continuous exam practice

Kaplan learners are frequently tested throughout our CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting online course. This doesn’t just build their confidence in the syllabus but also ensures they’re ready to pass their exams first time.

Online learning modules - Make your way through these interactive modules on MyKaplan and explore every area of your syllabus.
Knowledge checks - Review the depth of your understanding with multiple-choice questions during the knowledge phase.
Mock exams - Round off your final revision before you sit your final exam with two mock exams which have the same look and feel as the real exam. Get automated feedback on MyKaplan, including areas to improve.

Flexible learning with Kaplan

Studying for your CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting takes dedication - and at Kaplan, we know how hard it can be to balance your studies with an already busy schedule. Our two study methods have been exclusively designed for remote and flexible learning, allowing Malaysian learners to choose how and when they want to complete their CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting.

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Live Online

Learn from our experienced tutors in real-time with timetabled sessions in Kaplan’s Live Online interactive classroom. This study method is perfect for learners looking to benefit from the structure and support of a traditional classroom course while being able to join from wherever they are in the world.

View the CIMA Live Online Timetable for Malaysian learners.

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OnDemand

Become qualified around your own schedule with our OnDemand course. OnDemand learners receive a set of unique online resources designed to give you structure, keep motivation high, and cement your understanding of the CIMA syllabus. With no timetabled classes, this option is the most flexible study method for Malaysian learners.

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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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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

Our Study Text and Exam Kit are now provided as interactive digital resources that 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 resources 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.

Digital Study Text powered by Bibliu

A fully interactive digital eBook textbook covering the full subject syllabus with worked examples and activities.

Integrated Workbook

A key resource for your studies, it guides you through the syllabus and details when to use your other study resources. Includes space to add handwritten notes.

Live Online courses: a printed version.

OnDemand courses: a standard digital PDF 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.

Digital Exam Practice Kit powered by Bibliu

The interactive digital exam 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

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.

Buy CIMA books

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.