How Drives Sustainable Success
What DO Accountants Do? accounting is more than you think Chartered Global Accountants combine financial expertise and business acumen. accountants are trusted to guide critical business decisions and drive strong business performance. They combine financial expertise and business acumen to achieve sustainable success. They understand how the different parts of the business need to come together. A GLOBAL ProFession CIMA, the Chartered Institute of Accountants and AICPA, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants two of the world s most prestigious accounting bodies, have formed a joint venture to elevate the profession of accounting by establishing CGMA as the most valued, globally recognised accountant designation. While many CGMAs work in the finance department, others put their broader business training to use across the organisation, including the roles of Board Director, Chairman and CEO. Chartered Global Accountants (CGMAs) are committed to professional ethics and a code of conduct. A single syllabus and examination standard ensures the consistency of a CGMA s skills all over the world. This document explains how accountants deliver success for those who lead organisations and how CIMA and the AICPA support CGMAs in that role. Perspective Focus Analysis Information Framework Role accounting accounting Reporting financial performance Laws Standards Regulations Quantitative Certain Static Historical Reporting Technical Analytical Compliance + Added value Managing business opportunities Evidence Solutions Best practices Non-financial Qualitative Predictive Dynamic Forward looking Communicating Innovative Problem solving Strategy
WHAT THE BOARD/MANAGEMENT NEEDS TO BE SUCCESSFUL OVER TIME PEOPLE SUCCESS OVER TIME EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING FUNCTION PRINCIPLES PERFORMANCE SYSTEM PRACTICE AREAS accountants help organisations to deliver success over time. Boards and senior are responsible for leading long-term, sustainable success. Their goal is to continue to generate value for stakeholders over time by determining strategy, setting the risk appetite, articulating the organisation s culture and managing change. accountants help them do this by identifying and exploiting opportunities to generate value for stakeholders, while pro-actively managing costs and risks. Successful organisations have effective accounting functions. It is the combination of competent people, clear Principles, well managed performance and robust practices that make a accounting function effective. HOW A CGMA DELIVERS FOR THE BOARD /MANAGEMENT Chartered Global Accountants link the board objectives to the business, enabling the right decisions to be made, appropriately funded and correctly implemented throughout the organisation short and long-term. COMMUNICATION PROVIDES INSIGHT THAT IS INFLUENTIAL Drive better decisions about strategy and its execution at all levels STEWARDSHIP BUILDS TRUST Actively manage relationships and resources so that the financial and non-financial assets, reputation and value of the organisation are protected GLOBAL MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES INFORMATION IS RELEVANT Help organisations plan for and source the information needed for creating strategy and tactics for execution IMPACT ON VALUE IS ANALYSED Simulate different scenarios that demonstrate the cause-andeffect relationships between inputs and outcomes The Global Principles describe the fundamental values, qualities, norms and features to which accounting professionals should aspire. Three of the Principles apply to the discipline of accounting and the Principle Stewardship builds trust applies to the individual behaviours of accounting professionals, meaning that they act with integrity and follow an ethical code of conduct. They are the ethical conscience of the organisation. THE KEY ACTIVITIES OF THE MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING FUNCTION The role of Chief Finance Officers (CFOs) is changing. In many organisations it is expanding to include IT, human resources, and even operations. All CFOs however, have responsibility for the accounting function. There are fourteen main practice areas that CFOs oversee. Internal audit does not sit within the function but accounting makes a significant contribution to the system of controls which is tested by internal auditors. The key activities of the mangement accounting function Cost transformation and External reporting strategy Internal control Investment appraisal and budgetary control Project Regulatory adherence and compliance Resource Risk Strategic tax Treasury and cash Price, discount and product decisions Internal audit
HOW CIMA AND AICPA SUPPORT CGMAS TECHNICAL SKILLS Leadership CGMA COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK Apply accounting and finance skills And lead within the organisation In the context of the business To influence people Ethics, integrity and professionalism Business People CIMA and the AICPA have developed the Chartered Global Accountant competency framework, which details the capabilities of trusted finance professionals. They are expected to apply accounting and finance skills, in the context of the business, to influence the decisions, actions and behaviours of others, and lead the organisation at different levels. Each area includes a series of competencies that are defined at four proficiency levels: foundational, intermediate, advanced and expert. The framework highlights the range of skills of accounting professionals, placing importance on both technical and soft skills. It also supports the concept of lifelong professional learning and experience. THE CGMA IS FOUNDED ON THE CIMA SYLLABUS Established in 1919, CIMA is the world s leading and most respected accounting body, with members and students in 204 countires. The diagram below sets of the CIMA professional qualification syllabus. The syllabus is divided into operational, managerial and strategic levels, with interim qualifications awarded at each stage. STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT OPERATIONAL Assessment of practical experience Strategic Case Study Exam E3 Strategic AWARD / CIMA Advanced Diploma in Case Study Exam E2 Project and Relationship AWARD / Membership of the Chartered Institute of Accountants and the CGMA designation AWARD / CIMA Diploma in Operational Case Study Exam E1 Organisational P3 Risk P2 Advanced P1 F3 Strategy F2 Advanced Reporting ENTERPRISE PILLAR PERFORMANCE PILLAR FINANCIAL PILLAR Pre-requisite entry requirements (e.g. CIMA Certificate in Business, degrees in business or accounting or AAT Technician/Diploma level [level 4]). AWARD / CIMA Certificate in Business Paper C01 of Paper C02 of Paper C03 of Business Mathematics Paper C04 of Business Economics F1 Reporting and Taxation Paper C05 of Ethics, Corporate Governance and Business Law Practical experience / lifelong learning CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOMENT (CPD) Chartered Global Accountants continuously sharpen their business acumen through CPD. This ensures that accounting skills, tools and techniques of CGMAs are up to date. RESOURCES For more information about accounting please visit cgma.org and www.cimaglobal.com The Global Principles can be downloaded from www.cgma.org/principles The 2015 syllabus can be viewed at www.cimaglobal.com/2015 Our innovation reports can be downloaded from www.cgma.org/resources CGMA case studies CGMAs are guiding critical business decisions and driving strong business performance all over the world using accounting research, tools and techniques. 15% Net present value over three to four years. Project has provided foundation for acquisitions worth multiple billions of dollars. Simon Henry CGMA, Group CFO, Royal Dutch Shell 100% 60% $1bn Accuracy for stock count, cost savings and above 95% customer satisfaction Simon Henry CGMA, Group CFO, Royal Dutch Shell Cost savings switching EMEA into shared service centre. Boonsiri Somchit-Ong CGMA, Vice President Global, AMD, Kuala Lumpur Added to the bottom line of a global FMCG client over an 18 month period. Justin Watson Head of Finance Talent, Deloitte
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