Hello there! Do people think that CIMA is a good qualification to go for, for a new university business graduate, with a view to trying to get a graduate role in one of the major consulting firms? Not sure what qualification to go for next considering that I couldn't land a graduate place this year! Otherwise, what supplementary courses would look good on my CV? Thanks

CIMA is a good qualification if you are interested in management accounting / finance etc If you studied a finance / similar degree you may be entitled to exemptions. I wouldn't expect it to give you much extra (if any) in terms of a graduate role given that it takes 3 years to get the CIMA qualification (wih experience) and you would be applying for next year. That would mean you would be trying to fulfil your day-job role and long hours of study which can be a hard balance. Make sure it is what you want before you commit to it! Much better if you want to study CIMA to put forward a business case for the firm to pay for it once you have worked in the finance sector in consulting etc and then you hopefully get the support structure from people who have taken it before. If you mean CIMA certificate level you can study that either in courses or in your own time and it is a good foundation. Again I doubt it will give you much of an edge unless you are looking to align to the finance sector and can explain why it is giving you extra value. Hope that helps.

Cheers ex-notts that's great advice, all the best!