The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

is a United Kingdom-based professional body offering training and qualification in management accountancy and related subjects, focused on accounting for business; together with ongoing support for members.

CIMA is one of a number of professional associations for accountants in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Its particular emphasis is on developing the management accounting profession within the UK and worldwide. CIMA is the largest management accounting body in the world, with more than 172,000 members and students in over 165 countries.[1]

CIMA is a member of the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies and CIMA is withdrawing its membership from the CCAB (Consultative Committee of Accounting Bodies) on 2 March 2011.CIMA also is a member of the International Federation of Accountants.

CIMA CODE OF ETHICS
For professional accountants
October 2010

CIMA upholds the aims and principles of equal opportunities and fundamental human rights worldwide, including the handling of personal information. The Institute promotes the highest ethical and business standards, and encourages its members to be good and responsible professionals. Good ethical behaviour may be above that required by the law. In a highly competitive, complex business world, it is essential that CIMA members sustain their integrity and remember the trust and confidence which is placed on them by whoever relies on their objectivity and professionalism. Members must avoid actions or situations which are inconsistent with their professional obligations. They should also be guided not merely by the terms but by the spirit of this Code.

CIMA members should conduct themselves with courtesy and consideration towards all with whom they have professional dealings and should not behave in a manner which could be considered offensive or discriminatory.

To ensure that CIMA members protect the good standing and reputation of the profession, members must report the fact to the Institute if they are convicted or disqualified from acting as an officer of a company or if they are subject to any sanction resulting from disciplinary action taken by any other body or authority.

CIMA has adopted the following code of ethics. This code is based on the IFAC* Code of Ethics, that was developed with the help of input from CIMA and the global accountancy profession.
If a member cannot resolve an ethical issue by following this Code by consulting the ethics information on CIMA’s website or by seeking guidance from CIMA’s ethics helpline, he or she should seek legal advice as to both his or her legal rights and any obligations he or she may have. The CIMA Charter, Byelaws and Regulations give definitive rules on many matters.

The CIMA Code of Ethics is based on the IFAC Handbook of the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, of the International Ethics Standards Board of Accountants (IESBA), published by IFAC in April 2010 and is used with permission by IFAC.