New programme will address the need for better trained workers in high-skill areas

Monday 12 September 2011 (Dubai, UAE) - The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), in partnership with PwC's Academy in the Middle East, has launched a specialised Diploma in Performance Management for finance and accounting professionals in the UAE. The first training programme will be offered from 18-25 September in Dubai and the 25th of September to October 2nd in Abu Dhabi.

An information session will be held on Tuesday 13 September 2011 at the Shangri-La Hotel in Dubai from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

The Diploma is the first international qualification in management accounting developed by CIMA to be offered in Arabic. The programme available at PwC's Academy in Dubai addresses the professional growth needs of Arabic-speaking financial managers and accountants in the UAE who are keen on advancing their job skills and become certified as a specialist by CIMA.

CIMA and PwC have successfully worked together to introduce the programme in several countries, including Russia, and adapted it to the local languages. The overwhelmingly positive response from around the world encouraged them to extend the programme it to the Middle East. PwC, having run similar successful programmes in Central and Eastern Europe for over ten years, will facilitate the first Diploma in Performance Management to be offered in Arabic anywhere in the world. 

"Having the right job skills and training not only helps employees handle work challenges with ease but also allows them to stay ahead and contribute more efficiently to an organisation's growth," said Geetu Ahuja, CIMA Regional Manager for the Middle East. "We identified a gap in the region for professionals with advanced qualifications in financial performance management and hence designed a programme in Arabic focusing on the accounting, budgeting and forecasting techniques needed to manage and measure current and projected performance, including pricing, planning and control."

CIMA is now able to bring a training solution to the region that can help the local need for talent development, especially within the realm of Emiratisation.

CIMA's Arabic Diploma in Performance Management, which was designed and will be reviewed by CIMA UK, consists of two modules: Performance Operations and Performance Management.  Students who successfully complete the course and earn the required examination results will be rewarded with the CIMA Arabic Diploma in Performance Management. 

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The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, founded in 1919, is the world's leading and largest professional body of Management Accountants, with 183,000 members and students operating in 168 countries, working at the heart of business. CIMA members and students work in industry, commerce, the public sector and not-for-profit organisations. CIMA works closely with employers and sponsors leading-edge research, constantly updating its qualification, professional experience requirements and continuing professional development to ensure it remains the employers' choice when recruiting financially-trained business leaders.

Professionalism and ethics are at the core of CIMA's activities with every member and student bound by rigorous standards so that integrity, expertise and vision are brought together. 

CIMA is proud to be the first professional accounting body to offer a truly global product in the fast-moving area of Islamic Finance.

For more information about CIMA, please visit www.cimaglobal.com    

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Established in the Middle East for 40 years, PwC has offices in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, with around 2,500 people. Find out more at pwc.com/middle-east.

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© Press Release 2011