Financial accounting global certificates by D

Mumbai, Apr 27 (UNI) Dun&Bradstreet India and the UK-based Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) have inked a strategic alliance under which D&B will deliver courses relating to the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting (CBA) besides becoming an accredited CBA centre to provide assessment for these courses.

Addressing journalists here today, CIMA Director-Education Robert Jelly, said that the scope of the alliance will include co-operation on the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting (CBA) and Continual Professional Development (CPD) programmes. ''We will leverage the expertise of both the parties to deliver high-standard financial education and training,'' he said.

In collaboration with CIMA, a leading global professional institute that offers an internationally-recognised qualification in mamagement accountancy, focusing on accounting in business, D&B India will offer tuition courses for the CBA as well as be accredited as a CIMA computer-based assessment centre.

''Moving forward, D&B and CIMA will extend the alliance to organise and promote joint seminars and events, including CPD courses,'' Mr Jelly said.

The certificate of business accounting is designed to develop the fundamental skills and techniques necessary for success in a rapidly-changing business environment, with modules ranging from business economics and financial accounting to ethics, corporate governance and business law.

''The certificate's flexibility as both a stand-alone qualification for non-financial managers and an entry-level route to the professional chartered management accountant qualification will ensure its relevance to employers and students alike,'' Mr Jelly averred.

Asked as to how the tie-up came about, Mr Jelly said that India was a new market for CIMA and it was a considered decision to take in a local partner. ''D&B is a world-renowned name as are we and hence this strategic alliance is a nice fit,'' he remarked.

''CIMA was also contemplating relationships with local universities and management institutes,'' he revealed, adding ''our certificate is an international benchmark with flexibility in course offerings and will help Indian professionals wanting to work abroad.'' D&B India's President and CEO Dr Manoj Vaish said that the CIMA certificate will add value to financial professionals who want an international financial accounting certificate.

''We are already in talks with several banks, BPOs and other organisations who have their global back-office operations in India to provide our offerings to them,'' he revealed, adding that normally it takes an individual about six months to clear the course.

''There are five modules with each module requiring 40-to-60 hours of learning,'' he said, ''This alliance combines CIMA's international expertise with D&B's experience in delivering focused financial education solutions relevant to business and is yet another step in D&B India's quest to facilitate growth and excellence among executives and their organisations,'' he added.

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