CIMA training provides the keys to success in business

As someone who has held a series of high-level positions in different sectors and different parts of the world over the last 30 years, Aidan Goddard’s advice to anyone aiming for a successful career in business is unequivocal.

Based on personal experience, he believes that the training and professional qualifications overseen by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) provide the all-round knowledge and practical insights to understand how organisations function, and where to look for improvement.

The skills learned, which complement a degree or |MBA|, have a bearing on everything from operational efficiency to financial performance, market strategies, the adoption of new technology, and long-term planning And while giving a broad overview, the various courses also emphasise the value of data analysis in detecting trends and appreciating exactly what makes each business tick.

Dr Aidan Goddard, Chairman, North Asia Regional Board & Hong Kong Branch Committee of Chartered institute of Management Accountants

“The qualification offers real benefits for people who are serious about making a career in business and have hopes of being future CFOs or COOs,” says Goddard, the current branch committee chairman for CIMA in Hong Kong and chairman of the CIMA North Asia regional board. “Among other things, the courses show how to use data, information and numbers to generate insights for management and improve the overall quality of decision-making.”

Increasingly, he notes, major companies such as Jardines, HSBC, South China Group, Sun Hung Kai Properties, Swire Group sponsors management trainees to take CIMA exam, It is seen as ideal for the development of well-rounded, financially astute managers who will be able to take on challenging roles and handle a diverse range of duties.