The Institute as a Professional Accounting body admits members, through its professional examinations and associated experience and training requirements, to qualify as:

1. An Associate Member (ACMA)
2. Fellow Cost and Management Accountant (FCMA)

Professional qualified status as an accountant is achieved through admission to Associate Membership of the Institute and is confirmed by the issue thereupon of a Certificate of Associate Membership.

Associate Membership of the Institute can be by:

1. Passing the entire institute’s professional examinations.
2. Holders of B.Sc or HND in Accounting with seven(7) years post qualification in a senior Accounting position.
3. Direct Membership entry if the applicant possesses a Professional membership certificate of an accountancy body recognized by the Institute.
4. Mature Candidates ( For eligibility verification on this route, candidates should send their updated C.V to : cicma.ng@gmail.com)

There are two (2) categories of Professional Accountancy Bodies whose qualifications are recognized and accepted by the Council of the Institute to Direct Membership. The following are the categories of Professional Accountancy Bodies whose members are eligible for Direct Admission to Membership of the INSTITUTE as ASSOCIATE COST AND MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANT (ACMA) 1. Members of Professional Accountancy Bodies chartered by the Act (Law) in Nigeria i.e ICAN and ANAN. 2. Members of recognized Professional Accountancy Bodies Abroad such as:

1. The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), England
2. Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW)
3. The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
4. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, (CIPFA) UK
5. The Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (ACCA)
6. Institute of Financial Accountants, (IFA) UK
7. Institute of Management Accountants, (IMA) USA
8. The Association of International Accountants (AIA), U K.
9. Certified Management Accountants, (CMA) Canada
10. Any other Professional Qualification that may from time to time be approved by the Council

APPLICATION FOR DIRECT MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION AS ASSOCIATE MEMBER (ACMA)

NIGERIAN APPLICANTS

Applicants in Nigeria are required to download the membership application form below. After completing the form you are expected to pay the sum N180,000:00 into the institute’s bank account number 0013525001 at Access Bank Plc and the completed form with C.V, photo copies of credentials and two passport photos should be forwarded by courier service to the Registrar /Chief Executive at CICMA House, 7 Kachia Road, Kaduna South, Kaduna.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

The Membership fees and the bank account details are indicated on the overseas membership application form. To verify your qualifications you can  send an email attaching your current C.V to cicma.ng@gmail.com

METHODS OF PAYMENT

1. You can make payment using your bank mobile app to make transfer to the institute’s Access Bank account number stated above, or
2. You can make direct cash payment into the institute’s Access Bank number stated above.

NOTE: All fees paid are non refundable

Every member shall on admission be entitled to a Certificate of Membership under the Seal of the Institute, but such a Certificate shall at all times remain the property of the Institute, and shall be returned to the Institute on demand.

In the event of the resignation, removal, exclusion or suspension of a member, or of a member ceasing to be member for any other cause, the Certificate of Membership then held by him/her shall be delivered up to the Institute to be cancelled or retained during his/her suspension.

For admission as an Associate Member a student must be at least 20 years old and must show to the
satisfaction of the Council that:

1. He or she has passed the Institute’s examinations
2. He or she has had at least three years approved Accountancy experience, gained before or after, or
   partly before and after passing the Institute Examinations.
3. He or she is in accountancy employment at the time of admission.
4. He or she is fit and proper to be so admitted.

Overseas students are to include local law and taxation papers instead of the standard Nigerian versions in the examination for membership.

An Associate Member who has had not less than five years post-qualifying experience of a continued and approved nature is eligible for election by the Council as a Fellow of the Institute.

A member may only represent as such when in possession of a valid Certificate of Associate or Fellow Membership.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. Members and prospective members of the institute should take note that any member of the institute that defaulted in paying his or her membership annual subscription up to three years(3),the membership becomes Dormant and can only be activated after payment of all the arrears of annual subscriptions with the applicable fine. Such defaulting member cannot participate in any activity or forum of the institute.
2. Members who defaulted in paying their annual membership subscriptions up to five (5) years, their names shall be removed from the Register of Members.

A Practicing Certificate from the Institute may only be issued to a member who has completed a post-qualifying period of three and a half years of professional experience with an accountant in Public Practice (i.e. a Practising member of the Institute or a Registered Auditor)

Such practising certificates, renewable annually, subject to certain conditions being satisfied to enable members to practice as Chartered Management Accountants in the country where they obtained their post qualifying experience in Public Accountancy.

Practising Certificates enable members to act as Chartered Management Accountants and Auditors to Government Organizations, Public and Private Companies and Individuals.

A member not having been examined in the local law and taxation papers of a country in which he wishes to practice may be required by the Council to satisfy the Examiners in those papers before being issued with a Practising Certificate.

A member engaging in Public Practise as an accountant or auditor when not in possession of valid Practising Certificate shall be subject to disciplinary action.

Members of the Institute are to describe themselves as Cost and Management Accountants and to use the designatory letters ACMA (Associate) and FCMA (Fellow)

Membership fees are payable:

1. On admission as an Associate, at the time of application
2. On election as a Fellow, at the time of application

An Annual Membership Subscription is payable, each January which shall be determined by the Council.

Application for membership must be made on the Institute’s approved form for that purpose and be accompanied by:

1. Signed undertaking to observe the Articles, Constitution and Regulations of the Institute.
2. The Admission fee.

A student is required to make application for Membership within one year of successful completion of the examinations (whether or not he or she has completed the necessary period of accountancy experience). Should he or she not do so his or her name shall be removed from the Register of Students and the Council shall not be bound at any later time to give consideration to an application from him or her for admission to membership. If at the time of such application, the student is still undergoing the requisite period of accountancy experience then the Council shall defer Admission to Membership until that experience has been satisfactorily obtained.

The Institute attaches great importance to the implementation and enforcement of its Code of Ethics, which cover the relationship with clients, employer and the public at large, the impartiality of members and the requirement to perform their work to the highest standards.

All members are required to sign an undertaking at the time of admission to observe the Institute’s Articles, Constitution and Regulations.

Any professional or other misconduct or breach of the Articles, Constitution and Regulations of the Institute shall render a member liable to disciplinary measure.

Disciplinary procedures could result in the withdrawal of membership and or other Certificate issued to the member by the Institute.

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD)

WHAT IS CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT?

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is the learning and development that you carry out throughout your career, to keep abreast of advancements and changes in the profession, and to ensure you continue to perform your role competently.

WHO HAS TO DO CPD?

All of our Associate, Fellow and Academic members and some of our Retired members are required to complete CPD on an annual basis. If you’re fully retired and undertake no accountancy work, you will be exempt from the CPD requirements, but you should get in touch with Membership Services to confirm your status if you’re not sure. If you’re unable to fully complete your CPD due to personal circumstances, you contact the Membership Department

HOW DOES CPD BENEFIT YOU?

CPD is an investment that you make in yourself. It’s a way of planning your development that links learning directly to practice. CPD can help you keep your skills and knowledge up to date and ensures the professional standard of your qualification is maintained. It can boost your confidence, strengthen your professional credibility and help you become more creative in tackling new challenges.

HOW DOES CPD BENEFIT YOUR ORGANISATION?

CPD provides a framework to manage your employees’ professional development – including staff appraisals – helping you to plan your development needs linked to your business objectives and strategy.

CPD strengthens your reputation as a quality employer; it improves staff morale, staff motivation and workplace performance, enhancing staff retention and recruitment. It promotes your investment in staff development and demonstrates to clients and stakeholders the expertise of your workforce.

HOW DOES CPD BENEFIT THE ACCOUNTANCY PROFESSION?

CPD strengthens public trust in the profession, builds stronger accountancy organisations and ensures that the profession is sustainable.

CICMA is here to support you in meeting your CPD requirements, we provide a wealth of resources to help you.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO?

To meet our CPD requirements all our members must:

• Complete at least 20 units of verifiable CPD each year
• Complete at least 120 units of CPD over a rolling three-year period
• Keep your online CPD record up-to-date
• Complete your annual CPD declaration on 1st November every year
• Keep evidence supporting your CPD Record for each rolling three-year period (in case you’re selected for a review)

Our approach to CPD is in line with IES 7, the International Education Standard for CPD, set by the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).

BENEFITS OF MEMBERS

 *Entitle to Membership certificate with a Cover Letter

*Use of Designation Letters (‘CFA’ or ‘FCFA’ )

*CPD Seminars Annually

*News and Updates on the Institute

*Updates on Current happenings in the Accounting World

*Access to the Members Area

*Support Documents