Difference Between AAT and CIMA

AAT vs  CIMA

AAT means Association of Accounting Technicians and CIMA means Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. These two are Institutes that issue certificates on Management skills. Both the AAT and CIMA are U K Based certificating institutes. Here let us see some of the differences between the two.

CIMA is considered to be a more professional body that the ATT. CIMA mainly gives certification in management accountancy and other related subjects. Unlike the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants qualification, the qualification got by the Association of Accounting Technicians is only a technician level qualification.

When comparing the two Institutes, CIMA is the largest accounting body of the two. It is better to take the AAT qualification before going for CIMA or you can take the both ay one stretch. The AAT qualification is an excellent platform for undertstanding the basics of accounting. Once you have the basics, then it is easy to take on the CIMA certification and become a Chartered Management Accountant.

CIMA was founded in 1919. It was started as the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants (ICWA). In 1972, ICWA changed its name to Institute of Cost and Management Accountants (ICMA) and in 1986 changed to Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. The Association of Accounting Technicians was formed in 1980 after merging two institutes — Association of Technicians in Finance and Accounting (ATFA) and the Institute of Accounting Staff (IAS). When comparing the syllabus, CIMA has an elaborate syllabus than the AAT. Unlike AAT, the candidates who go for CIMA certification has more topics on management accounting, business strategy and financial strategy.

Summary

1. AAT means Association of Accounting Technicians and CIMA means Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

2. When comparing the two Institutes, CIMA is the largest accounting body of the two.

3. CIMA is considered to be a more professional body that the ATT.

4. Unlike the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants qualification, the qualification got by the Association of Accounting Technicians is only a technician level qualification.

5. CIMA was founded in 1919 as The Institute of Cost and Works Accountants (ICWA). The Association of Accounting Technicians was formed in 1980 after merging two institutes — the Institute of Accounting Staff (IAS) and the Association of Technicians in Finance and Accounting (ATFA).

6. Unlike AAT, the candidates who go for CIMA certification has more topics on management accounting, business strategy and financial strategy.

7. The AAT can be called as a platform to CIMA.

Sharing is caring!