GMA Conversion Program

This is for those holding non-degrees and now wish to change careers and join the exciting world of mamagement accounting and business analysis; and/or wish to have in-depth financial analysis knowlede to be able to contribute to decisions with financial implications at the C-Suite level. The GMA Conversion Program leads to the Graduate Management Accountant [GMA(NZ)] professional qualification; and is the pathway for a Graduate or Professional in any discipline to obtain the pre-requisites to undertake Stage 5 of the Certified Management Accountant of New Zealand Professional Education Program.

Entry requirements: Students should have a degree (NZQF Level 7 or above) or a recognised professional qualification in any discipline, or a Diploma (NZQF level 6) in Accounting.

Subjects:

The program consists of 4 subjects (taught at the Honours/Masters level):

  • Financial Management
  • Financial Statement Analysis
  • Financial Modelling
  • Managerial Accounting

Recognition will be given by ICMA(ANZ) for students who have successfully completed these subjects (or equivalent) at any recognised University or recognised professional accounting body such as CA, CIMA, ACCA and CPA.

Syllabi:

1. Financial Management

On completion of this subject students should be able to apply capital budgeting principles and techniques to investment proposals in order to facilitate optimum decision-making, understand the risk/return trade-off inherent in portfolio analysis and selection; understand how to apply techniques suitable for valuing various debt and equity securities; examine and evaluate empirical research relating to the optimum financial structure of the firm; understand the nature, purpose and limitations of financial ratios and other data to evaluate performance and credit risks; examine and understand empirical research relating to the concept of market efficiency; examine and evaluate empirical research relating to the optimum dividend policy of the firm.

2. Financial Statement Analysis

This subject seeks to describe and explain the properties of financial statement numbers, the key aspects of decisions that use financial statement information, and the features of the environment in which these decisions are made. On completion, students will be able to understand the demand and supply forces of corporate financial disclosure; apply analytical techniques such as common-sized statements and ratio analysis; consider accounting method choice on accounting numbers; undertake correlational and cross-sectional analysis of Financial Statements; and consider the impact of times series properties of financial statement numbers.

3. Financial Modelling

On completion of this subject students should be able to appreciate the role of computers in analysing the financial activities of a business and in decision support; appreciate the problems involved in the implementation of computerised financial models and spreadsheets; recognise the ways in which computer-based financial models may be used by management and evaluate commercially available financial modelling software. Student will be able to apply cost accounting principles and techniques to model in all kinds of organisations; analyse and critically evaluate information for cost ascertainment, planning, control, and decision making; and model and interpret cost accounting and other financial statements.

4. Managerial Accounting

On completion of this subject students should be able to understand the decision making requirements and the information needs of management; apply management accounting principles and techniques to a wide range of situations in both service and manufacturing industries; appreciate recent developments in the theory and practice of management accounting, control systems; and appreciate the developments information technology in relation to the provision of management accounting information. Students will be able to select and utilise control systems which provide management control of the organisation; provide management with appropriate information for control, assessing and reporting on performance, monitoring efficiency, effectiveness and value for money; evaluate and audit the relevance of management information systems (including information technology systems); and advise management on the use of these systems, and on issues of personal or corporate conduct.

Experience Requirements: On completion of the GMA Conversion Program, a student can apply for Graduate Management Accountant – GMA(NZ) designation of ICMA(NZ) without experience. Alternatively, on completion of the GMA Conversion Program, a student member can directly enrol in the Certified Management Accountant of New Zealand – CMA(NZ) preparatory program.

Delivery Partners: Students can undertake these subjects (or equivalent) at any Recognised University that allows single semester study, or via ICMA(NZ) Recognised Provider Institutions or Online.

Post-Nominal: On completion of the GMA Conversion Program individuals may describe themselves as a Graduate Management Accountant of New Zealand – GMA(NZ) of the ICMA(NZ).