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Your gateway to Level 7 Accountancy Apprenticeships, offering CIMA and ACCA training to fast-track careers and up skill finance teams.
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Chartership Designed for non accountancy practices & finance teams, the CIMA pathway develops strategic management accountants who drive business performance and decision-making.
Course Overview
Ideal for accountants in practice, the ACCA pathway provides the expertise needed for audit, tax, and advisory roles in accountancy firms.
Course OverviewCertificate Level
Includes:
Operational Level
Includes:
Management Level
Includes:
Strategic Level
Includes:
CIMA is a professional body for management accountants. It offers the CIMA qualification, which is recognised globally and focuses on management accounting, financial management, and business strategy. The qualification prepares individuals for leadership roles in accounting and business.
If you hold a degree in a relevant field (accounting or finance), you may be exempt from some of the CIMA exams.
CIMA accepts a variety of other professional qualifications, including AAT and ACCA, and exemptions may apply based on your previous studies or work experience.
Please refer to the CIMA online calculator for guidance on your entry point.
The CIMA qualification consists of four stages:
| 1. Certificate in Business Accounting | 4 objective tests. |
| 2. Professional Operational Level | 3 objective tests.
1 case study. |
| 3. Professional Management Level | 3 objective tests.
1 case study. |
| 4. Professional Strategic Level | 3 objective tests.
1 case study (See ICS referenced below). |
The ICS strategic case study at the Professional Strategic Level is submitted along with other requirements such as the personal experience requirement (PER) portfolio of work evidence to support your qualification as CGMA.
Final Assessment for Gateway for the End Point Assessment includes this ICS strategic case study, along with a 4000-word report linked to your personal experience requirement (PER).
Each level is designed to progressively develop your expertise in financial management, strategy, and leadership.
It generally takes 36 months, plus up to 6 months for the end point assessment (EPA) depending on prior qualifications and entry point.
Apprentices must register directly on the CIMA website – myfuture.cimaglobal.com you will then be given a unique ID. Please note there will be a cost to register, an annual subscription fee, and if applicable exemption fees and exam fees (current prices are listed on the CIMA website).
CIMA exams are divided into objective tests (multiple-choice and case study questions) and case study exams at the higher levels.
You can register for CIMA exams through the official CIMA website or by using their student portal. It is recommended to check the deadlines for exam sittings and registration to avoid delays. The Objective test questions can be sat in Access Training with results given the same day for flexibility and we are currently working towards being able to provide this service. The Objective test exams can be sat at any stage, along with resits if necessary, costing around £130. At the end of the level there are written case studies which are fully written exams that take place within a one-week window within that month, and cost around £200 paid to CIMA. The dates for sitting traditionally are in May, August and November.
Classroom delivery – 1 day per week at our Gateshead training centre. See how to find us.
Yes, CIMA is recognised internationally, with members working in various industries worldwide, from accounting to finance, and from public to private sectors.
Both CIMA and ACCA are professional accounting qualifications, but they have different focuses:
CIMA is often preferred for those seeking roles in management and business leadership and preferred by industry, while ACCA is more widely recognised for financial reporting and audit roles, and more popular in practice.
CIMA holders can pursue roles such as:
CIMA opens doors to senior management and leadership positions in accounting and finance.
Once you complete the exams and fulfil the required practical experience, you can apply for CIMA membership (ACMA, CGMA). As a member, you can use the ACMA designation and have access to continuous professional development opportunities.
In order to become chartered you need to have accountancy work experience of 3 years.
The CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant) designation is awarded to CIMA members. It signifies a global standard of management accounting excellence and enhances your recognition in international markets.
To maintain CIMA membership, you need to fulfil Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. This involves keeping up to date with changes in the accounting and business world by attending courses, workshops, webinars, or other learning activities.
Our next courses begin this Summer and Autumn!
Request a call-back today.
Applied Knowledge Level
Includes:
Applied Skills Level
Includes:
Strategic Professional Level
Includes:
ACCA is a global professional accounting body that offers a qualification in accountancy, finance, and management. It provides certification to individuals who want to pursue a career in accounting and finance.
If you hold a degree in a relevant field (accounting or finance), you may be exempt from some of the ACCA exams.
ACCA accepts a variety of other professional qualifications, including AAT and CIMA, and exemptions may apply based on your previous studies or work experience.
Please refer to the ACCA online calculator for guidance on your entry point.
ACCA has 13 exams, divided into three levels:
It generally takes 36 months, plus up to 6 months for the end point assessment (EPA) depending upon prior qualifications and entry point.
Apprentices must register directly on the ACCA website – www.accaglobal.com where they will then be given a unique ID. Please note there will be a cost to register, an annual subscription fee, and if applicable exemption fees and exam fees (current prices are listed on the ACCA website). There is a helpful webinar that can viewed on the ACCA website with full details on getting started with the ACCA.
In order to become chartered you need to have accountancy work experience of 3 years.
The exams are a combination of multiple-choice questions (MCQs), longer written answers, and case studies. Some exams are computer-based (CBEs), while others are paper-based. You can choose to sit exams on specific dates throughout the year. Apprentices will book the exams directly through the website using their unique ID and the costs for each exam is around £100 paid to ACCA (please refer to the ACCA website for current prices).
ACCA exams are offered four times a year for most papers: in March, June, September, and December. Some exams (like Applied Knowledge) are available through computer-based exams (CBEs), which can be taken more frequently.
Classroom delivery – 1 day per week at our Gateshead training centre.See how to find us.
Yes, ACCA is a globally recognised qualification, accepted in over 180 countries. This makes it an ideal choice for individuals wishing to pursue an international career in accounting and finance.
Both ACCA and CIMA are professional accounting qualifications, but they have different focuses:
ACCA is more widely recognised for financial reporting and audit roles, and more popular in practice, while CIMA is often preferred for those seeking roles in management and business leadership and preferred by industry.
Completing ACCA opens up a wide range of career opportunities in accounting, finance, taxation, audit, consulting, and more. ACCA members work in diverse industries, from corporate finance to public accounting firms, and can take up roles such as:
Upon completing the exams and the required practical experience, you can become an ACCA member. Benefits include:
To maintain ACCA membership, you need to fulfil Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. This involves keeping up to date with changes in the accounting and business world by attending courses, workshops, webinars, or other learning activities.
Our next courses begin this Summer and Autumn!
Request a call-back today.
Work-based learning
Our programmes provide a structured, applied learning route that ensures learning and skills are directly applied to the role and maximises the time used as part of off-the-job training.
Support for apprentices
Each learner has regular 1:1 contact and progress reviews to keep them on track, review their portfolio, and get them fully prepared for their final assessments.
Support and insight for managers
We have robust processes and reporting in place to ensure you and your line managers have all the insight needed to help your apprentices progress and succeed.
*From January 2026, government funding for Level 7 apprenticeships ends for learners aged 22 and above.
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40 Years Experience
With four decades of expertise, we’ve helped thousands of finance professionals gain industry-recognised qualifications and advance their careers.
Achievement Rates
Our learner achievement rates are consistently higher than the national average.
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Recognised for excellence, our expert tutors and tailored approach ensure the highest quality training, setting you up for success in CIMA and ACCA.
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The level 4 apprenticeship has helped me a lot in my job role; it has helped me to understand why we follow certain accounting procedures and take more responsibility. When I progress onto level 7, this will help to push me even further in my development, where I aim end up in a more senior role.”
“Access Training has been invaluable in supporting me through my apprenticeship. From the professionalism of our tutor and the information we receive through the training, to the wide range of staff available if required, should you need help with any aspect of your course or personal situations.”
“The teaching has been great… Class discussions help to link the content to all our different job roles… Access Training is a really supportive environment with help available whether we need it in class, whilst studying outside the classroom, or on a personal basis.”