Congratulations you’re CIMA qualified! Now let us work with you to assess your career options.
This guide offers information on how salary rates vary and where the opportunities are for career progression across a number of sectors, to help you decide which career path you may want to pursue.
Average salary rates by sector:
| Industry sector | Corporate | SME | Premium* | Interim rates (per day) |
| Property/Real Estate | £50,000-£55,000 | £35,000-£50,000 | £5,000 | £200-£250 |
| Energy | £45,000-£50,000 | £40,000-£45,000 | £3,000 | £200-£275 |
| Technology & telecoms | £45,000-£50,000 | £44,000-£48,000 | £4,000 | £200-£250 |
| Media | £40,000-£48,000 | £36,000-£40,000 | £2,000 | £180-£250 |
| Retail | £35,000-£45,000 | £35,000-£40,000 | £3,000 | £180-£250 |
| Financial services | £48,000-£58,000 | £45,000-£50,000 | £5,000 | £250-£320 |
| Legal & consultancy | £50,000-£55,000 | £45,000-£50,000 | £5,000 | £200-£250 |
| FMCG | £45,000-£50,000 | £40,000-£48,000 | £3,000 | £200-£250 |
Property/real estate
Property investment remains an attractive market for newly qualified CIMA candidates. Salaries tend to be offered at the higher levels, especially for those moving into a large corporate company.
Exceptional CIMA candidates can command a salary of around £55k, increasing to around £60k for those with a background in property finance.
There is good bonus potential within the property market, with bonuses usually based on individual and company performance.
Energy – particularly energy management – continues to be a buoyant market. Although investment in renewable energy has declined somewhat over the last couple of years, the potential amendment to the UK Energy Bill could influence a much needed investment injection to reinvigorate the renewables market and boost growth.
Despite the decline in investment in the renewable energy market, newly qualified CIMA candidates with direct industry experience can achieve above average salaries – generally around £45k or higher, depending on their level of experience within the market.
Salary levels will vary for those moving into start-up renewable energy companies due to varied budgets, funding and their life-cycle position.
Candidates can usually expect higher than average bonuses and benefits in this sector.
Media
Media is a very attractive industry for CIMA qualified candidates owing to the creative working environment and other perks on offer.
Many candidates are enticed to work for large brands or clients with a tangible product.
Salaries are generally lower than average – ranging between £36k to £45k – due to the high demand for jobs in this sector.
Retail
Retail is also an attractive, in-demand sector for newly qualified CIMA candidates with many opting to work for the high profile luxury brands.
With retail being such a competitive market, gaining industry experience can take precedence over the actual role, with candidates typically being more flexible to get their ‘foot in the door’.
For those candidates moving into the retail industry marketing and retail analyst roles are usually the preferred jobs.
Financial services
This may be a difficult market to penetrate for newly qualified CIMA candidates. With the financial services market still struggling to stabilise, supply and demand is low.
Of our clients those most actively recruiting in this industry are asset and investment managers and insurance companies. Other clients remain reluctant to create new opportunities due to the uncertain outlook of the market.
This is certainly the case with large investment banks where there is a distinct lack of opportunities for CIMA candidates to make the move directly into banking.
Those newly qualified candidates already working for banks will likely move on soon to progress their career in a more stable industry.
Legal and consultancy
Within legal and consultancy a lot of the Magic and Silver Circle firms generally favour experience over qualifications. Although there is still demand for newly qualified CIMA candidates in this industry.
Opportunities are more likely to be found at the bigger law firms and consultancy businesses.
Candidates can expect base salaries to be around £45k.
Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)
This is another in-demand market for newly qualified CIMA candidates, attracted by the high profile consumer goods brands. With the high level of competition clients expect exceptional candidates within the FMCG sector.
Opportunities within this sector tend to be more commercially biased roles, offering candidates the opportunity to partner with key stakeholders to support commercial decision-making and gain exposure across the business.
Salaries are typically higher than average in the FMCG sector.
Not for profit
Although salary levels tend to be lower in the not for profit sector, candidates are attracted by the work-life balance and generous non-monetary benefits on offer by many organisations.
Such benefits often include flexible working hours, extended annual leave allowance and a more relaxed working environment.
Those candidates looking to move into the charity sector will also benefit from the opportunity for a more rewarding and fulfilling career which is often a big draw.
What’s next?
To further assist you with your career decision we’ve also created a ‘next steps’ career guide.
At SilverOne recruitment our finance team has years of specialist expertise in recruiting newly qualified CIMA candidates. We work on a personal, consultative basis to help you develop and progress your career within your industry of choice.
Contact us today for more information call 020 828 14475
