
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) has upgraded its Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) Professional Qualification syllabus.
The new syllabus is set to take effect in 2026.
The revision aims to equip students with the necessary skills to excel in the changing landscape of finance, focusing on high-performance finance business partnering, technological adeptness, and critical thinking, CIMA said.
The updated syllabus is a response to the Future of Finance 2.0 research by Association of International Certified Professional Accountants and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (AICPA) and CIMA and the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025.
These studies emphasised the importance of synergising technology with human insight for career advancement in the knowledge economy and for future roles in accounting and finance.
The new syllabus is aimed at enhancing core competencies such as finance business partnering, analytical thinking, and strategic planning.

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataIt also expands to cover sustainability topics such as green finance, environmental costing, and disclosures under IFRS S1/S2, as well as financial technologies including GenAI.
Students planning to appear for CGMA exams this year will not be affected by these changes, CIMA noted.
To assist with the transition, CIMA will release a case study and objective tests study support materials pack in October this year.
These materials will aid students in preparing for the May 2026 CGMA exams.
AICPA & CIMA Management Accounting Education and Professional Qualifications vice-president Stephen Flatman said: “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.
“Our unique problem-solving educational approach helps them provide expert advice, support decision-making, and create value for organisations.”
Additionally, CIMA has developed more than 50 hours of complimentary study support materials to aid candidates in their exam preparation and journey towards earning the CGMA designation.
In March 2025, the AICPA and CIMA recognised 177 accounting and finance professionals in Sri Lanka with their ACMA and FCMA certificates, alongside the CGMA designation.