CIMA Practical Experience: How the PER Works and What Counts
A complete guide to CIMA practical experience requirements — what counts, how to document it, and how to get it signed off.
What Is the CIMA PER?
The CIMA Practical Experience Requirement (PER) is the work experience component of the CIMA qualification. Unlike ACCA's PER (which requires 36 months of documented experience), CIMA's approach is integrated into the qualification structure — you must complete relevant work experience at each level before sitting the Case Study exam at that level.
How CIMA PER Works by Level
Operational Level: You must have completed relevant practical experience before sitting the Operational Case Study (OCS). CIMA requires you to demonstrate experience in management accounting, financial accounting, or a related area. Management Level: Similarly, relevant experience must be in place before sitting the Management Case Study (MCS). Strategic Level: Experience appropriate to strategic-level finance must be demonstrated before the Strategic Case Study (SCS).
What Counts as Relevant Experience
CIMA defines relevant experience broadly — it includes roles in management accounting, financial accounting, financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, audit (internal or external), financial control, treasury, and business analysis. Roles do not need to be in a dedicated finance department — management roles with significant financial responsibility also count. CIMA has moved away from a prescriptive list of objectives toward a competency-based approach where you demonstrate the application of knowledge in practice.
Documenting Your Experience
CIMA experience is documented through the My Experience tool in MyCIMA. You record your role details, describe how your work demonstrates CIMA competencies, and have the record verified by a responsible person (typically your line manager or a senior colleague familiar with your work). Unlike ACCA, CIMA does not require a pre-approved employer — any relevant role can count.
Getting Sign-Off
Your verifier confirms that the experience you have described is accurate. They do not need to be CIMA-qualified themselves. For self-employed professionals, verification by a professional contact or client is acceptable. CIMA may audit experience records — keep supporting evidence where possible.
Further Reading
Study with Learnsignal: CIMA courses to get through your exams while building practical experience. Start CIMA with Learnsignal.
What is the CIMA practical experience requirement?
Alongside passing its exams, CIMA requires students to complete a practical experience requirement (PER) before they can become a member and use the CGMA designation. The PER ensures qualified members have not only passed the exams but have also applied their knowledge in a real working environment, developing the practical skills and competencies employers expect. It is a core part of becoming fully qualified.
How the PER works
The PER is competency-based: rather than simply counting time served, it asks you to demonstrate a range of skills and behaviours across technical, business, people and leadership areas, supported by evidence from your work. You typically record your experience and reflect on what you have learned, with verification from an appropriate person such as a manager. The aim is to show genuine professional development, not just attendance.
How long does it take?
CIMA generally expects a period of relevant practical experience — commonly around three years — though this can often be gained before, during or after your exams. Because you can accumulate qualifying experience throughout your studies, many students complete the PER around the same time as finishing their exams. The exact requirements are set by CIMA and can change, so check the current guidance.
Tips for completing the PER
The students who handle the PER well tend to keep records as they go rather than leaving it to the end, actively seek out experiences that fill gaps in their competencies, and reflect honestly on what they have learned. Treating it as a genuine development tool, rather than a box-ticking exercise, makes it more valuable and less stressful.
Why the PER matters
The PER is part of what gives CIMA membership its credibility: it signals that a member can apply their knowledge in practice, not just in exams. For employers, that combination of examined knowledge and demonstrated experience is exactly what makes a qualified accountant valuable. You can explore CIMA study routes on our CIMA courses hub.
Common questions about the CIMA PER
Can I complete the PER before passing my exams?
Yes — qualifying experience can be gained before, during or after your exams, so many students build it up as they study and complete it around the same time as their final exams.
Who verifies my CIMA practical experience?
Your experience is typically verified by an appropriate person, such as a line manager, who can confirm the work you have done. Check CIMA's current requirements for exactly who can act as a verifier.
Is the CIMA PER hard to complete?
For most students it is manageable, especially if you record experience as you go and choose roles that let you develop the required competencies. The main challenge is staying organised and being honest in your reflections rather than leaving everything to the end.
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Learnsignal Education Team
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