Auditor General has officially launched the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) programmes for Villa College.
Auditor General Niyazy launched the programmes as the chief guest at a special ceremony held by Villa College. He was accompanied by the senior management of the college and CIMA officials led by Country Manager Zahara Ansary via zoom call. Members of CA Maldives along with other accounting professionals also attended the event, including Athifa Ali, who is the first Maldivian to complete the CIMA qualification.
Speaking at the ceremony, Auditor General Niyazy said Villa College has taken up leadership to train professional accountants and that the CIMA programmes are expected to further develop the accounting field in the Maldives. He said the government is working to establish partnerships between CIMA and education centres in the Maldives due to the importance of accounting in business and for the economy. He also highlighted the important work conducted by previous auditor generals.
CIMA is the global professional management accounting body based in the UK. CIMA offers training and qualification in management accountancy and related subjects and focuses on accountants working in the industry and provides ongoing support and training for members.
Villa College has opened applications for its new 100% government-funded CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting course, in which chosen applicants will not be required to pay course fees and will receive a USD300 monthly allowance. Villa College stated that the Certificate in Business Accounting is a qualification in it is own right and also forms a formal entry route into the CIMA Professional Qualification. Once students successfully complete both qualifications and qualify for membership, they will be awarded the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation.