Zoe Kirby comes in the global top ten in accountancy exams

Zoe Kirby

Zoe Kirby, 38 and mother of two, from Littleborough, has achieved an impressive feat and gained second place globally in the latest Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) case study exams.

Ms Kirby came second in the world in the CIMA Management case study exam.

She studied with iCount Training in Manchester, achieved a score of 129 out 150, beating over 1,000 other students registered for the exam around the world.

Originally from Littleborough, Ms Kirby attended Wardle School and Hopwood Hall College in Rochdale before gaining Degree in Business Management from the University of Salford.

Ms Kirby is Chief Financial Officer of a Rochdale-based global shipping franchise business that she helped her father and brother start up when she left university, and in which she has worked ever since. What started as a family business, InXpress, has been a massive success and over the last 17 years has grown nationally and internationally. There are now 85 franchises in the UK, with many others internationally, in 11 countries worldwide - including the USA, Canada, Australia. Zoe and her husband also own and run InXpress franchise themselves.

To become a Chartered Global Management Accountant, students need to complete 12 professional qualification exams requiring personal study and dedication. This is complemented by three years’ experience which can be gained whilst studying.

Ms Kirby said of her success: "It was fantastic to be told I had come in the top ten in the world in this exam and made all of the hard work studying worthwhile. The exam was really tough but I had a lot of support from both at iCount Training and my family. I chose the CIMA qualification to help me to develop in my current role, and to have a highly valued formal finance qualification. I am progressing down the road to being fully qualified and the exams so far have given me not only the basic management accounting skills but also helped me to understand the wider business context of my work.”

Bob Beedham, FCMA, CGMA, CIMA Area Chairman – North West England said: “Zoe’s dedication to her studies has paid off admirably and it is a fantastic achievement to come in the top ten globally in this professional business exam. I hope her success will show others who are currently studying for their CIMA qualification how hard work really can be rewarded. The CIMA qualification produces versatile professionals with breadth and depth of knowledge gained in practical business settings, and I wish Zoe every success as she continues her journey to becoming a fully qualified CIMA management accountant.”

Stephen Flatman, Director of Exams at CIMA, said: “It is fantastic to see such excellent exam results achieved by Zoe and fellow students, who sat other papers around the world. This is a tribute to the ethic that CIMA prides itself on, that dedication and hard work can produce exemplary results."

CIMA has formed a joint venture with the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) to establish the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation for fully qualified CIMA members. CGMA is the global quality standard that further elevates the profession of management accounting.

CIMA runs a series of events for students, members and guests throughout the related area on a regular basis across the year. For further information visit: www.cimaglobal.com/localevents