CIMA unveiled its CGMA Professional Qualification syllabus for 2026, which aims to meet the expanding scope of modern finance in areas such as finance business partnering, analytical thinking, strategic planning, sustainability, and emerging technologies. These changes do not affect learners taking CGMA exams in 2025.
This upgrade is designed to prepare students to be high-performance finance business partners capable of utilising technology and applying critical thinking skills, a news release said. A materials pack with case study and objective tests study support will be launched in October to help students prepare for updates to CGMA exams in May 2026.
“The emphasis on finance business partnering and applied problem-solving aligns with AICPA & CIMA’s latest Future of Finance research and the World Economic Forum’s (WEF’s) Future of Jobs Report 2025,” the release said.
The Future of Finance research and the WEF report predict that combining technology and human insight will be crucial for career success in the knowledge economy and essential for future accounting and finance roles.
“With a focus on finance role simulations embedded in our case study exams, the CGMA Professional Qualification allows finance professionals to quickly develop and apply cognitive, digital, and technical skills needed as finance business partners,” Stephen Flatman, vice-president–Education and Professional Qualifications, Management Accounting at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, said in the release.
CIMA has created more than 50 hours of free study support materials to help candidates progress through exams and their journey to becoming CGMA designation-holders. “Our unique problem-solving educational approach helps [finance professionals] provide expert advice, support decision-making, and create value for organisations,” Flatman added.
The CGMA Professional Qualification is designed for the future of finance and created by finance professionals to equip future finance professionals with skills they need to be value creators, Andrew Harding, FCMA, CGMA, chief executive–Management Accounting at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, said in the release.
The update to the CGMA Professional Qualification syllabus “sets it apart from traditional accounting and finance education, which still focuses heavily on preparing information, controls, and compliance — tasks increasingly automated by technology”, Harding continued.
— To comment on this article or to suggest an idea for another article, contact Steph Brown at Stephanie.Brown@aicpa-cima.com.
MEMBER RESOURCES
The AICPA and CIMA’s Future of Finance landing page includes key themes and insights for finance professionals navigating an evolving profession.
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