How to land a job even if you are part CIMA qualified

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Being part-qualified in CIMA is a significant achievement that can open doors to a variety of roles in finance and accounting. While completing the full qualification may be your long-term goal, there are still plenty of opportunities available right now. Here’s how to maximise your chances of landing a job and progressing in your career as a part-qualified CIMA professional.

What opportunities are available to part-qualified CIMA learners?

Many employers actively seek part-qualified CIMA candidates for finance roles, recognising their technical knowledge, commitment to professional development, and ability to apply financial principles in real-world scenarios. Here are some roles that may be open to you:

  • Assistant Management Accountant – Support in financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting.
  • Finance Analyst – Provide insights based on financial data to drive business decisions.
  • Accounts Assistant – Assist in day-to-day financial operations such as reconciliations and reporting.
  • Financial Controller (Junior) – Oversee financial processes within an organisation.
  • Business Analyst – Help businesses optimise processes through data-driven recommendations.

These roles allow you to gain practical experience while you continue your CIMA studies, making you even more employable as you progress.

How to strengthen your job application

1. Build a strong CV

Your CV should highlight your CIMA progress, relevant work experience, and key achievements. Make sure to:

  • Clearly state that you are part-qualified CIMA, detailing completed exams and expected qualification date.
  • Showcase your technical skills (e.g., budgeting, financial reporting, variance analysis).
  • Emphasise soft skills such as problem-solving, attention to detail, and analytical thinking.
  • Include any on-the-job experience related to finance, even if it was in a different role.

2. Highlight your transferable skills

If you’re switching from another sector or have limited direct finance experience, highlight transferable skills such as:

  • Data analysis and reporting
  • Strong Excel or financial modelling capabilities
  • Communication and stakeholder management
  • Attention to detail and accuracy in financial tasks

3. Prepare for interviews

Many interview questions will focus on how you apply financial knowledge in practical situations. Be ready to:

  • Discuss how your CIMA studies have prepared you for finance roles.
  • Give examples of how you’ve solved financial problems or improved processes in previous jobs.
  • Show your enthusiasm for continued learning and development.

Keep progressing with your studies

Employers value candidates who are actively working towards full qualification. If you’ve taken a break, now could be the time to restart! At Eagle, we offer flexible online CIMA courses to help you study at your own pace.

Try our courses free for seven days

Want to see how our courses can support your career progression? Get started today with a seven-day free trial and take the next step toward becoming fully CIMA qualified.