The Certified Global Business Analyst (CGBA®) is the premier global business analysis designation that recognises a unique group of corporate analysts who have reached the highest benchmark of quality and competence in strategic business analysis. The CGBA designation distinguishes professionals who have advanced proficiency in strategy, marketing, supply-chain, finance, valuation, operations, and management. The CGBA designation is built on extensive global research to maintain the highest relevance with employers and to develop the competencies in business analysis that is most in demand.

ICMA has recognised that there are senior managers who are not interested in becoming management accountants. As such it introduced a new certified qualification; the Certified Global Business Analyst (CGBA)® for those interested in finance and business analysis, but not interested in continuing further to become CMAs.

The CGBA designation is backed by the International Management Accounting Collaborative (IMAC), a global network of management accounting and finance professionals. The Institute of Certified Management Accountants (Australia & New Zealand) is a founder member of IMAC.

Entry Requirements

The CGBA qualification is tailored to senior managers. The entry requirement is a degrees or professional qualifications in any business field (i.e. marketing, management, finance, banking, accounting etc.) with 5-years of business experience OR senior managers with over 10 years of business experience.

ICMA Membership Requirement

The CGBA is a Certification program (not an ICMA Membership grade). As such, to be eligible to hold the CGBA certification, ICMA membership is also required (at either the FCMA, CMA, AMA, GMA, RBA, RCA, CAT or MAA levels), and must be maintained during the period of certification. The Management Accounting Affiliate (MAA) membership of ICMA is an open membership for all individuals (accountants or not) and is free. If you are not a member of ICMA; then join at least as an MAA.

Certification Requirements

To obtain the Certified Global Business Analyst (CGBA) professional qualification, participants undertake only the Strategic Business Analysis (SBA) module of the CMA preparatory program.

The assessments done are the case studies within the Strategic Business Analysis (SBA) course module, and an Assignment that must be submitted after the course is completed.

An Assignment is not required for those holding the CMA-level certification, as they already would have been assessed in the SBA course.