A lot of students today are not just searching if doing CIMA is worth it? They are asking more practical questions like How do professionals reach positions like Associate Director in firms like KPMG? Can CIMA help me reach leadership roles? What is the career growth after CIMA in India?
In 2026, finance careers are no longer just about qualifications. Growth comes from a combination of concept clarity, real-world application and consistent career progression.
Ravi Malik’s journey reflects exactly that.
Ravi started his journey with a B.Com (Hons) from Delhi University, building a strong base in accounting and finance.
Early in his career, he realized that long-term growth in finance requires more than just academic knowledge. He went on to pursue multiple professional qualifications, including:
- Cost and Management Accountant (ICWA, India)
- CIMA (UK) – Chartered Global Management Accountant
As part of his CIMA journey, Ravi cleared the Strategic Case Study (SCS) with The WallStreet School, which helped him strengthen his understanding of real business scenarios and decision-making.
He later enhanced his leadership perspective through a Senior Management Program from IIM Indore.
His professional journey began at BT as a Finance Manager, where he developed strong fundamentals in financial operations and business finance.
Moving into Consulting and Leadership at KPMG
After gaining core experience, Ravi transitioned to KPMG India, where his career saw significant growth.
Over the years, he progressed through roles and today serves as a Senior Associate Director and Service Delivery Lead at KPMG India.
His current role involves:
- Leading large teams
- Managing client delivery
- Handling complex financial and risk-related assignments
- Supporting strategic decision-making
This journey shows how finance careers evolve from technical roles to leadership positions over time.
Why CIMA Matters for Long-Term Finance Careers
For students seeking a career after CIMA in India or CIMA career growth opportunities, one important insight stands out.
CIMA is not limited to accounting. It focuses on:
- Business strategy
- Performance management
- Risk assessment
- Financial decision-making
These are the exact skills required in consulting, corporate finance, and leadership roles.
Why Many Professionals Use CIMA to Move into Leadership Roles
If you want to know if CIMA lead to senior roles?”, the answer depends on how the knowledge is applied.
CIMA helps professionals move from:
- understanding numbers → interpreting business impact
- reporting → decision-making
This shift is what enables professionals to grow into leadership positions.
Interview Transcript
Q1: Looking back, how did your finance career begin?
I started with a commerce background through B.Com (Hons), which gave me a strong foundation in accounting and finance.
My early experience at BT as a Finance Manager helped me understand how finance functions in real business environments, not just from a reporting perspective but also in supporting decisions.
Q2: What made you pursue qualifications like CIMA and ICWA?
At an early stage, I realized that long-term growth in finance requires more than just theoretical knowledge.
ICWA and CIMA both focus on management accounting and decision-making. CIMA, especially, helped me develop a broader understanding of how finance connects with business strategy.
Q3: How did clearing CIMA SCS help you in your career?
The Strategic Case Study (SCS) is very different from traditional exams. It focuses on applying concepts in real business situations. Preparing for SCS helped me improve my ability to analyze problems, think strategically, and make decisions. These skills are directly relevant in consulting roles and leadership positions.
Q4: How did your CIMA coaching support your learning and career progression?
CIMA coaching played a big role, especially in building a strong foundation during the preparation phase.
The structured approach helped in understanding concepts in a practical way rather than just focusing on exams. Topics like performance management, risk, and strategy were explained with real-world relevance.
This made it easier to connect learning with actual work situations later in my career.
Q5: How did your transition to KPMG impact your career growth?
Moving to KPMG gave me exposure to a much wider range of industries and challenges.
Consulting roles require you to think differently because you work with multiple clients and complex problems. Over time, this helped me develop both technical expertise and leadership capabilities.
Q6: What skills are important for growing into leadership roles in finance?
Technical knowledge is important, but as you grow, skills like communication, problem-solving, and team management become equally important.
Understanding business problems and guiding teams toward solutions is what defines leadership in finance.
Q7: What advice would you give to students considering CIMA today?
If your goal is to build a long-term career in finance, especially in corporate or consulting roles, CIMA is a strong option.
But focus on understanding concepts and applying them in real-world situations. That is what helps you grow over time.
Career Insights: What Students Should Understand in 2026
In 2026, finance careers are shifting toward strategy-driven and decision-making roles.
Students eagerly finding options for
- career after CIMA salary India
- jobs after CIMA in consulting firms
- how to grow in finance career
should understand that growth comes from combining:
- strong fundamentals
- practical understanding
- and consistent experience
Ravi Malik’s journey shows how professionals can progress from finance roles to leadership positions with the right approach.
People Also Ask: CIMA Career Growth in India
1. Can CIMA lead to leadership roles in finance?
Yes. With experience, CIMA professionals can grow into roles like Associate Director, Finance Head, or leadership positions in consulting firms.
2. What is the career growth after CIMA in India?
Career growth usually starts from analyst roles and progresses to managerial and leadership roles over time.
3. Is CIMA useful for consulting careers?
Yes. CIMA’s focus on strategy and decision-making makes it highly relevant for consulting roles.
4. Does CIMA coaching help in real jobs?
Yes. Structured coaching helps in building conceptual clarity and applying finance concepts in real-world situations.
5. Is CIMA worth it for long-term career growth?
Yes. CIMA is valuable for professionals aiming for corporate finance, consulting, and strategic roles.
