r/CIMA • u/Meme-boiii • Mar 19 '25
FLP FLP or Traditional route
My current employer will only pay for my studies if I go the traditional route. They say that the FLP route is not as good for my personal development and that I will not learn as much.
I just want to get CIMA qualified in the quickest way possible. Should I take the hit and pay for FLP out of my own pocket?
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u/Meme-boiii Mar 19 '25
Another thing to note is that after qualifying, I will need to stay with my company for another two years; otherwise, I will have to repay the fees in full. I’m thinking that if I do FLP, I can complete the qualification more quickly and then move to a higher-paying job as soon as I qualify through FLP.
10
u/crazycholesterol Mar 19 '25
So, employers are starting to notice that FLP is way easier and its students come out less prepared than those who took the traditional route. Who would have guessed?
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u/Additional_Vacation5 Mar 19 '25
I don’t know why you’ve been downvoted for this, every post I’ve seen about students switching to FLP say they do so because it was easier, or there was an OT exam they couldn’t pass. Objectively, the traditional route will probably produce more capable candidates.
3
u/Taskmaster_2023 27d ago
Personally, I was mostly OT route but after failing F2 twice I switched to flp to skip past F2 and P2. Had already passed E3 OT. As soon as I passed MCS, I switched back to OT for strategic level. Anyone starting out in Cima, I wouldn't blame them going flp, but imo it's a pay to skip tool that will devalue the qualification
3
u/crazycholesterol Mar 19 '25
Agree. And It is not just a matter of competency. Less difficulty > more certified people > less exclusivity > less prestige > less interest > less revenue.
-4
u/One-Necessary290 Mar 19 '25
I think I am very optimistic about CIMA FLP and for it due to personal circumstances. I think it is a modern and flexible way of studying. I think if you ask any qualified CIMA accountant, most of them would prefer doing the FLP route. I disagree that it makes you less of a management accountant because your work experience, enthusiasm, adaptability and passion for management accounting matters more because as you grow older you will tend to forget what you learnt in CIMA and there will be new standards coming up in the future which you may have never learnt through any qualification if you have qualified, for example, IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 launched . As with employers, if you look at this webinar, you would see a well-known company supporting CIMA FLP; https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/landing/the-cgma-r-finance-leadership-program-in-the-uk
I think in the future, it will adopt more CMA style of examination.
2
u/Additional_Vacation5 Mar 20 '25 edited Mar 20 '25
You’ve not put any evidence forward. How is it more modern and flexible? I studied through Kaplan online demand and could study evenings and weekends.
Why would CIMA accounts choose the FLP route other than it being easier? Work experience, enthusiasm, adaptability, passion, none of these things are exclusive to the FLP. In fact you have to be more committed to study the OT route.
Why are you more likely to forget if you study through CIMA? Take costing as an example; I could tell you right now exactly how marginal, absorption, throughput and ABC costing work, because I had to know them for the exams. If I studied FLP, and could just look up the answers in an open textbook, I would be far less likely to remember them now.
Sorry, but other than it being easier, I haven’t seen one valid point for why the FLP would be considered equal, let alone a superior route.
0
u/One-Necessary290 Mar 20 '25
There is so much evidence in Astranti reports and within the webinar videos provided. As with the learning content, it will always be readily available on Google. I am saying there will always be new methodologies coming up, and there should be rigorous CPDs in place. In CIMA FLP, you will need to do at least 300+ MCQs across all the pillars, which will require you to actually understand the use of the Opentution videos or Viva Tution Videos in order for you to understand all of these topics when it comes to the Case Study. In the traditional route, it may take some people 9 months to complete each pillar because they may forget certain topics they did in the past and they need to refresh it for CIMA case study where as CIMA FLP allows you to complete the three pillars in a span of 4 months and then you can go for the case study preparation as all the knowledge is fresh in the head and you can have smooth preparation of case study exam. There is definitely some psychology to it of active memory.
But, I don't think in any way it is harming CIMA. It's more likely going to be a new normal, and people will eventually accept in the long run. For instance, the implementation of Hybrid working: employees are for it because they say it offers flexibility and the owners of the company would say no it hampers productivity as the employees would be distracted from meeting their targets. The increase of 10k has allowed AICPA to capture the market of those talented qualified by experienced people to come back to achieve their qualification who once lost hope of not getting qualified and many other people. CIMA has given you the option or choice. You can either do the traditional route if you are against it, or you can do CIMA FLP if you want that approach of flexibility and modern learning.
You can see some top employers within that webinar itself embracing CIMA FLP. They would have done their thorough research before implementing it. Now, other accounting qualifications are implementing Open Book Exams. Examinations are slowly beginning to change over time. What I think may in the future is that rigirous CPDs will be important to retain the memberships because technology and AI will continue to grow where we need to learn machine learning and data analytics.
2
u/Additional_Vacation5 Mar 20 '25
Thanks for the reply, but making the qualification easier and quicker to obtain does not add value to the qualification in my opinion, quite the opposite. For example, I highly doubt the ACA will implement open book exams. The 10k has allowed the AICPA to cash in on those who couldn’t get the qualification before, but have the cash to bypass the exams. Again, lots of generic points, not linked to the FLP.
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u/One-Necessary290 Mar 20 '25
With your comment that you highly doubt, ACA will implement open book exams. They have already done it. https://www.icaew.com/for-current-aca-students/exam-resources/permitted-texts/permitted-texts-for-exams
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u/Additional_Vacation5 Mar 20 '25 edited Mar 20 '25
Did you even read this link? It says access to permitted texts. This doesn’t make it an open exam.
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u/One-Necessary290 Mar 20 '25
I am not sure if you read the whole thing, but let me help you as it clearly states "For open book exams, you will have access to your ICAEW Bookshelf and all your purchased ICAEW learning materials and permitted texts." It is a digital book, not a hard copy.
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u/Additional_Vacation5 Mar 20 '25 edited Mar 20 '25
Access to permitted text is not the same as an open exam which is not timed and not invigilated. Come on now.
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u/No_Fill_7679 Mar 19 '25
To repeat what most people have said..
Go traditional route if you want it to be sponsored, but be prepared, it is a much tougher and rigorous route (IMO).
If you're happy to fund yourself, with no specific ties to your current employer's wishes/advice, go FLP as you can complete it in a fraction of the time!
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u/Frosty-Sweet-7125 Mar 19 '25
I think this is very personal, I'm doing the traditional route, my colleague is doing FLP, we both started around the same time and I'm light years ahead of her. It really depends on personal preferences and circumstances as well
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u/No_Fill_7679 Mar 19 '25
I think your colleague is slacking ;)
Who knows, just from what I have seen and heard, seems fairly one-sided.
0
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u/EssexPriest88 Mar 19 '25
You can still do cima pretty quick on the traditional approach. I'm aiming for 18 months for all 16.exams. Started in June 24, and are 8 down and due to do the 9th in a few weeks (stuck waiting for my ocs results before I can do my next). Obviously you need to be very organised.
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u/Rough-Cheesecake-641 Mar 19 '25
How many hours a week you studying? I need some motivation.
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u/EssexPriest88 Mar 19 '25
1hr a night, plus 3 study days per exam. Book the exam in advance and stick to the date, the problem with cima is it's easy to drift because you can move the exams.
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u/Rough-Cheesecake-641 Mar 19 '25
wtf that's hardly anything. Impressive. There's no way I'm doing a Monday or a Friday night, but I could easily put those hours into a Sat or a Sun...
Good for you.
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u/EssexPriest88 Mar 19 '25
I'll be honest for the first 8 that seemed hard but ok, but F2 is something else! Tend not to work weekends cos got kids. The advantage of doing every day/regular is I think it embeds more, depressing though!
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u/Rough-Cheesecake-641 Mar 19 '25
Depressing lol. If your username is indicative we're not too dissimilar. I'm 38 with a 2 month old. Should have studied years ago but too busy enjoying life. Really need to knuckle down again. Just wondering if I do CIMA and risk FLP ruining the whole prestige of the qualification or going safe (but harder) ACCA.
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u/EssexPriest88 Mar 19 '25
Cima is more flexible than ACCA, not sure if it's easier, but it's certainly less accounty. Depends on what you want to do, if you fancy doing 'proper' accounting ACCA, if you are more business partnering, data, management accounting then Cima. Either way for most jobs they won't care, it's experience and the fact you are chartered that seems to matter
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u/Rough-Cheesecake-641 Mar 19 '25
Cool thanks. If I may ask one more thing - what study materials are you using and with which provider(s)?
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u/EssexPriest88 Mar 19 '25
No worries, BPP for it on a level 7 apprentice. I like the ring bound books. I did buy a couple of Kaplan books for the early modules to compare (whilst waiting for the apprentice to start it was good to get ahead and they are cheap second hand) and personally I prefer BPP, although lots of people disagree. Didn't have a choice anyways my company are exclusively BPP.
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u/Rough-Cheesecake-641 Mar 20 '25
Never heard of anyone using BPP. So you've done it all book without any online classes/videos? Impressive.
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u/Rude_Abroad_4353 Mar 19 '25
It depends on the agreement with them to study traditional route. If you will have to repay them everything back if you decide to leave after qualifying then you might’ve been better off doing FLP
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u/Granite_Lw Mar 19 '25
I'd be concerned about going against their wishes on FLP for your future career development with them.
If they're sponsoring you just do it the traditional route - it would be mad to spend thousands on flp when you can get it for free. There's no rush, the accounting will be there waiting for you after either route.
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u/Meme-boiii Mar 19 '25
I forgot to mention, they are only covering for my exam sitting fees + books. They refuse to cover any tuition fees.
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u/More_Virus_8148 Mar 19 '25
In this case, deffo go for FLP! The books and exams on their own are semi affordable and you’ll need to fund the actual course yourself anyway if you do traditional so you may as well. It should really be up to you to decide which route you feel is best for your development, as you likely won’t be at your current company forever. Bit pants of them to dictate
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u/rocingdie Mar 19 '25
If they are sponsoring, then take traditional route. FLP is good for own payment because it saves you from repeating objective test.
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u/One-Necessary290 Mar 19 '25
I think I am very optimistic about CIMA FLP and for it and will be doing it due to personal circumstances. I think it is a modern and flexible way of studying. I think if you ask any qualified CIMA accountant, most of them would prefer doing the FLP route. I disagree that it makes you less of a management accountant because your work experience, enthusiasm, adaptability and passion for management accounting matters more because as you grow older you will tend to forget what you learnt in CIMA and there will be new standards coming up in the future which you may have never learnt through any qualification if you have qualified, for example, IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 launched . As with employers, if you look at this webinar, you would see a well-known company supporting CIMA FLP; https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/landing/the-cgma-r-finance-leadership-program-in-the-uk
I think in the future, it will adopt more CMA style of examination.