'What you learn on...management accountancy courses'

Unlike their financial reporting and tax-related counterparts, our management accountancy courses do not directly cover areas subject to specific rules and regulations.

Management accountancy is constantly evolving and as such members need to keep up to date with current practice.

This course, which is updated every year, is designed to bring delegates up to speed with the latest developments in management accountancy.

For example, current course content focuses on topics such as activity-based costing and the impact of sustainability on both corporate reporting and internal decision-making.

The course encourages a discussion among delegates about emerging concepts and ideas rather than being a one-way lecture.

We invariably attract a diverse group of delegates, which is to everyone's benefit as they bring different perspectives and backgrounds to the discussion.

The course is suitable for everyone from recently qualified accountants right up to those approaching retirement.

Management accounting and reporting best practice
Companies are increasingly presenting their annual reports and accounts in a more transparent manner, owing to a combination of new legal requirements, changing best practice and rising shareholder pressure.

As a result, internal management reporting is increasingly being used for external reporting.

This course examines best practice in this area. For example, Tesco has adapted the Kaplan and Norton Balanced Scorecard to create a 'Steering Wheel' comprising five segments, which is used internally as well as in its report and accounts (see diagram).

The course also provides an update on recent and imminent changes affecting narrative reporting proposed by the UK government. For example, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills recently published a consultation document entitled "The future of narrative reporting". Delegates on this course will get an insight into the implications of developments like these.

Information, insights and impact
This course draws on the work that CIMA has been conducting during recent years examining the development of the finance function and the rise of the 'business partnering' role of the finance team. It's designed to help delegates to improve the quality and effectiveness of reporting to boards of directors and other decision-makers.

The course examines the entire "supply chain" of information, from defining useful raw data, via analysing it, to ensuring that it is communicated effectively - and appreciated - at board level. Delegates will gain an insight into the steps they can take to ensure that their finance team is seen as adding value rather than cost to an organisation.

Investment appraisal - introduction
This course is designed for those - both inside and outside the finance function - who have not undertaken an investment appraisal recently, or ever, and who need a reminder of what the process involves.

It covers basic investment appraisal techniques, including discounted cash flows and how to take account of real-life complications in an investment appraisal. The course also offers examples and case studies designed to help delegates to put the techniques covered into practice.

Investment appraisal in practice
This courses focuses on the behavioural aspects of investment appraisals, decision- making traps and other issues relevant to delegates who are already familiar with the mechanics of the process. It also gives those taking the course an appreciation of how to account for risk and uncertainty in an investment appraisal.

Visit www.cimamastercourses.com for more details about this and all CIMA Mastercourses.