CIMA Salary Guide 2026: What You Can Earn with a CIMA Qualification
The CIMA qualification is associated with some of the highest-earning career tracks in UK finance. This guide breaks down what CIMA-qualified professionals actually earn in the UK in 2026, by career stage, role type, sector, and region — and how CIMA compares to ACCA and AAT.
CIMA salary at a glance — by career stage
| Career stage | Typical UK salary (2026) |
|---|---|
| During CIMA study (Operational Level) | £28,000–£40,000 |
| During CIMA study (Management Level) | £35,000–£50,000 |
| Newly CGMA qualified (Strategic Level complete, 0–2 years PQE) | £45,000–£65,000 |
| CGMA with 3–5 years' post-qualification experience (PQE) | £55,000–£80,000 |
| Senior CGMA (Finance Business Partner, Head of FP&A) | £70,000–£95,000 |
| Finance Director / CFO (CGMA with significant experience) | £90,000–£160,000+ |
London salaries are typically 15–25% above these UK averages. Financial services, technology, and FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) pay above average. Public sector and charities pay below.
CIMA salary during study
One of CIMA's (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) most distinctive features is the salary trajectory during study. CIMA students often see meaningful salary uplift during the qualification because the content maps directly to management accounting work.
Operational Level students are typically working as Management Accountants, Finance Analysts, or Assistant Management Accountants earning £28,000–£40,000. Students who study Operational Level alongside a management accounting role find the material directly supports their day-to-day work — and often get promoted during the level.
Management Level students have usually progressed to Management Accountant, Senior Finance Analyst, or junior Finance Business Partner roles, paying £35,000–£50,000. The Management Level content is highly applicable to performance management and commercial finance work, which accelerates career progression.
A key advantage: CIMA students are typically employed in relevant roles throughout their study, building both the qualification and the practical experience simultaneously. CIMA's three-year practical experience requirement for full CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant) membership is usually met before or around the time of completing the Strategic Level.
Newly CGMA qualified salary
On completing the Strategic Case Study (SCS) and earning full CGMA membership, typical starting salaries are £45,000–£65,000.
| Role | Typical UK salary |
|---|---|
| Management Accountant (newly CGMA) | £42,000–£55,000 |
| Finance Business Partner (newly CGMA) | £50,000–£65,000 |
| FP&A Manager (newly CGMA) | £50,000–£68,000 |
| Commercial Finance Manager | £50,000–£65,000 |
| Senior Finance Analyst (post-qualification) | £45,000–£58,000 |
CIMA salary with post-qualification experience
| PQE level | Typical role | Typical UK salary |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 years PQE | Management Accountant, FBP, FP&A | £45,000–£65,000 |
| 3–5 years PQE | Senior Finance Business Partner, Finance Manager | £58,000–£80,000 |
| 5–8 years PQE | Head of Finance, Senior FP&A Director, Finance Director (SME) | £70,000–£100,000 |
| 8–15 years PQE | Finance Director, Group Finance Director | £90,000–£160,000 |
| 15+ years PQE | CFO (Chief Financial Officer), Group CFO (large organisations) | £120,000–£300,000+ |
The salary ceiling for CGMA holders is significantly higher than for non-professionally-qualified finance professionals. Finance Directors and CFOs at large listed companies commonly earn £200,000–£500,000+ in total compensation (salary + bonus + long-term incentives).
CIMA salary by role type
Finance Business Partner: £55,000–£90,000 (junior to senior). CIMA is the most common qualification for Finance Business Partners in large commercial organisations. The FBP role is the primary destination for CIMA-qualified professionals who want to work at the intersection of finance and business decision-making.
FP&A (Financial Planning & Analysis) Manager: £55,000–£90,000. Head of FP&A roles typically pay £70,000–£110,000.
Management Accountant: £40,000–£65,000. CGMA-qualified management accountants at senior level progress to Finance Manager (£55,000–£75,000) and Head of Finance (£70,000–£100,000).
Finance Director: £90,000–£160,000. The majority of Finance Directors in UK commercial organisations hold CIMA, ACCA, or ACA. At FTSE 250 level, Finance Director base salaries typically start at £150,000+.
CFO: £120,000–£300,000+ base salary; total compensation significantly higher at large organisations.
CIMA salary by sector
| Sector | Salary relative to UK average |
|---|---|
| Financial services (banking, insurance, asset management) | 20–40% above average |
| Technology and SaaS | 15–30% above average |
| FMCG and consumer goods | 10–25% above average |
| Professional services | 10–20% above average |
| Healthcare and pharmaceuticals | 5–15% above average |
| Manufacturing and industrial | At or slightly below average |
| Public sector (NHS, government, education) | 15–25% below commercial average |
| Charities and not-for-profit | 20–30% below commercial average |
CIMA salary by region (UK)
| Region | Salary relative to UK average |
|---|---|
| London | 20–30% above UK average |
| South East (excluding London) | 5–15% above UK average |
| South West | Broadly at UK average |
| Midlands (Birmingham, Coventry) | At or slightly below UK average |
| North West (Manchester, Liverpool) | Broadly at UK average |
| North East | 10–20% below UK average |
| Scotland (Glasgow, Edinburgh) | Broadly at UK average |
| Wales | 10–15% below UK average |
| Northern Ireland | 10–20% below UK average |
London commands a significant premium — Finance Business Partners and FP&A Managers in London commonly earn £65,000–£90,000, compared to £50,000–£70,000 in major regional cities.
How does CIMA salary compare to ACCA and AAT?
| Stage | CIMA (CGMA) | ACCA | AAT (MAAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| During study | £28,000–£50,000 | £25,000–£45,000 | £20,000–£32,000 |
| Newly qualified | £45,000–£65,000 | £45,000–£65,000 | £28,000–£40,000 |
| Mid-career | £58,000–£80,000 | £55,000–£80,000 | £34,000–£58,000 |
| Senior level (FD/CFO) | £90,000–£160,000+ | £80,000–£130,000+ | £45,000–£65,000 |
CIMA vs ACCA: At newly qualified level, salaries are broadly comparable. CIMA's management accounting focus tends to lead more directly into Finance Director and CFO roles in commercial organisations. ACCA-qualified professionals who move into practice partnership can also earn very high compensation, but via a different career track.
CIMA vs AAT: The salary gap is significant at mid-career and senior levels. The MAAT (Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians) designation supports a well-paid career up to Financial Controller level at SMEs. The CGMA designation supports careers to CFO level at large organisations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average CIMA salary in the UK?
The average salary for a newly CGMA qualified professional in the UK is £45,000–£65,000. With experience, CGMA holders progress to £70,000–£95,000 at senior Finance Business Partner or Head of FP&A level, and to £90,000–£160,000+ at Finance Director level.
What is the starting salary for a CIMA qualified accountant?
On completing CIMA's Strategic Level and earning full CGMA membership, typical starting salaries are £45,000–£65,000 in the UK. Finance Business Partner roles at the newly qualified stage tend to pay more than traditional management accounting roles.
How much does a Finance Director with CIMA earn?
Finance Directors with CIMA/CGMA in the UK typically earn £90,000–£160,000 in base salary. At larger organisations (FTSE 250 and above), base salaries are £150,000+ and total compensation can reach £300,000–£600,000+.
Does CIMA pay more than ACCA?
At newly qualified level, salaries are broadly comparable for both. CIMA's management accounting focus tends to lead more directly into Finance Business Partner, FP&A, and Finance Director tracks. The difference is more about career track than which qualification pays more in absolute terms.
Is CIMA worth it for salary?
Yes — for people targeting commercial finance careers, the salary progression associated with CIMA study and post-qualification experience is substantial. The cost of CIMA (£5,000–£10,000 total) is typically recovered within months at senior salary levels.
What is the CIMA salary during study?
During CIMA Operational Level study, most students work in Finance Analyst or junior Management Accountant roles earning £28,000–£40,000. By Management Level, typical roles pay £35,000–£50,000. CIMA students often get promoted during study — not just after completing it.
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