CIMA® Emirati Finance Academy
An innovative program powered by CIMA® to address Emiratization target while accelerating Emiratis’ learning journey in line with UAE VISION 2031.
What you get
Fix Emirati sourcing pain
Once pre-vetted, CIMA®-assessed pipeline of Emirati talent instead of ad-hoc.
Immediate quota credit
Studying Citizen/OJT hires count toward skilled Emiratisation while on payroll.
Better unit economics (co-funded)
Leveraging also Nafis support scheme, Studying Citizens salary at AED 4k vs average Emirati at ca. AED 15k + employer pension = meaningful salary saving.
Visa tier risk
Falling short of targets raises visa costs across the company; the Academy reduces this risk.
ESG & Employer brand lift in line with UAE VISION 2031 priorities
Train a home-grown finance Emirati bench with visible investment in learning aligned to CIMA® international (FLP) learning standards.
Reduce attrition, recruitment and onboarding cost
Realistic job preview, career pathway and sponsored CIMA® learning expected to drive significant reduction in attrition vs typical Emirati hires driving OPEX reduction.
Audit-ready & low-risk
Monthly data pack, random audits and integrity policy protect Employer brand.
What you invest
Employer to pay a per‑learner CIMA® training seat (upon enrollment)
+ CIMA® FLP fee (at OJT time, post Bachelor).
CIMA® is a world leader in Finance Education
CIMA® is a TOP Finance Education Partner also in GCC region
Why CIMA®?
We empower change in individuals and organizations, helping finance professionals adapt, grow and lead.
698,000+
Finance Professionals (Students & Members)
173,000
Employers
33
Regional offices
Living in
188
Countries and territories
UAE
1,200
Finance Professionals (Students & Members)
Supporting
54
Credentials, designations and certificates
How it works
Bridge to Hire through OJT contract + CIMA® FLP Operational
Governance aligned with MOHRE:
monthly check-ins, integrity controls, and audit-ready data pack with finance job roles mapped to ISCO skilled job codes.
12-24 months
CIMA® Academy Student Training Program
2 Training Session/month
in University with CIMA® Experts
1 Training Session/week
in University with CIMA® Experts
Gain Hands-On Experience
across a wide-ranging Business Landscape
Training that Pays
Enrollment as Studying Citizen
Earn AED 4,000 while advancing Student Finance career with CIMA® Academy
University Bachelor
CIMA® Diploma after successful completion
OJT Contract
(12 months) Finance on the job experience
Automatic Enrollment
into FLP – CGMA Qualification
Hired in Finance
utilizing ON THE JOB employment contract
Full time job
Continuation of CGMA Qualification process
About us
The American Institute of CPAs® (AICPA®) and its predecessors have served the public interest for 136 years. The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants® (CIMA®) was founded in 1919 and has helped shape the profession for over a century.
In 2017, we came together as AICPA® & CIMA® to forge a powerful international alliance that promotes accounting and finance in every corner of the world.Today, we serve 689,000 members, students and engaged professionals in 196 countries and territories.
By providing exclusive guidance and specialized resources — including prestigious designations, certifications, and credentials — we empower you to create an even brighter tomorrow, both for yourself and for the profession.
Strategic Advisor & Exclusive Partner for Emiratization AICPA & CIMA®
Paolo Lo Monaco, CFO, CGMA
CIMA® Academy Program Director
Paolo will coordinate this Program
(through his own Training company – PLMFinancial-Advisory)
in partnership and full coordination with CIMA® MENA team.
With over 25 years of experience leading teams in multinational FMCG, retail and automotive companies across Europe, the USA and MENA, Paolo has worked for renowned organizations including Nestle, Fiat, and Coca-Cola.
A UK CIMA® Chartered Accountant, Bocconi University alumnus, holder of a Master’s in Finance at London Business School UK and a Tech Executive Diploma from MIT Sloan USA, he has been working in UAE for last 10 years as GCFO for Chalhoub Group and Al Khayyat Investment Group’s, driving business growth and Finance transformation agenda. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Luiss Business School in Dubai and Advisory Board member for CIMA® MENAP.