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GBD160. Do other firms face YOUR firm's challenges? Tell us.

Release Date: 05/28/2021

FLP 214. What support is available for FLP Students.

FLP, the Finance Leadership Podcast

Studying for a professional qualification can feel isolating, especially when you hit a topic that will not click or an exam result that knocks your confidence. Rachel Harrison from Kaplan explains the support available to Finance Leadership Program learners, from tutor guidance, live chat, and case study feedback, to progression coaching that helps learners stay on track. Along the way, she shares what students most often struggle with, why some hesitate to ask for help, and how support can make a real difference when motivation dips or studies stall. It is a practical look at the people,...

FLP 213. OCS November 2026 - Tendra Tents Deep dive

FLP, the Finance Leadership Podcast

With your CIMA Operational Case Study (OCS) exam approaching, the Tendra Tents pre-seen puts a seasonal manufacturer with strong sustainability ambitions at the centre of the case. The aim is practical: understanding the case is only part of the challenge, you also need to know what the exam is asking you to demonstrate. Kevin Gormley and Kaplan tutor Alex Whelan unpack Tendra’s financial position, working capital pressures, and the risks that could come with expansion. Costing, budgeting, performance management, accounting standards, and short-term decision-making all feature. Alex also...

FLP 212. Important FLP Assessment Changes for August 2026

FLP, the Finance Leadership Podcast

New assessment measures are coming to the Finance Leadership Programme, with implementation planned for late August. Show host Kevin Gormley and returning guest Colin Ward explain the four changes, including limits on TLA attempts within a 12-hour period, topic-specific time allowances, a new learner conduct policy, and the removal of question-level feedback. They outline why these measures are being introduced, how they are designed to strengthen confidence in the programme, and what learners can expect when communications begin around six weeks before launch. If you're studying through FLP,...

FLP 211. Operational Case Study (OCS) May Exam Deep Dive

FLP, the Finance Leadership Podcast

Host Kevin Gormley is joined once again by Alex Whelan from Kaplan to help candidates prepare for the May Operational Case Study (OCS) exam. Whether you’re early in your preparation or refining your technique, Kevin and Alex provide practical insights to help you focus on what matters most: applying your knowledge to the case with confidence. Good luck to all candidates! Building on the popularity of their February episode, Kevin and Alex focus on the May case study scenario featuring SOPA, a family‑owned restaurant business operating in a competitive market. The discussion provides...

FLP 210. How Students Are Succeeding in the Operational Case Study (OCS)

FLP, the Finance Leadership Podcast

Kevin Gormley speaks with three standout students from India who are currently pursuing their undergraduate degrees alongside the CGMA Finance Leadership Program (FLP). Each has successfully passed the Operational Case Study (OCS), and in some cases achieved top All‑India ranks. Each shares their unique experiences balancing university studies with FLP, insights from their OCS preparation, the challenges they encountered, and the strategies that led them to exam success. GUESTS Nandini Maheshwari. Bachelor of Commerce student, Symbiosis College of Arts & Commerce, Passed both...

FLP 209. Preparing for Exam Resits. Support, Resources & Proficiency Guidance

FLP, the Finance Leadership Podcast

Kevin is joined by Nasheen Wuisman from the CIMA Study Support & Progression Team to discuss the challenges of exam resits and the wealth of support resources available for students, especially those preparing for the upcoming February exam window. Nasheen explains the emotional and practical difficulties students face when re‑sitting a Case Study exam, and highlights key support tools such as the Revitalise Resit Guide, the Resit Program, the Proficiency Guide, coaching services, and community learning spaces. She also describes how these resources help candidates understand examiner...

FLP 208. OCS 2026 Focus — Insights on the Sumtrix Case

FLP, the Finance Leadership Podcast

Host Kevin Gormley talks to special guest Alex Whelan, a CIMA‑qualified tutor with extensive industry experience, who provides deep insights into the Sumtrix pre‑seen case for February OCS resit candidates. Alex breaks down Sumtrix’s business model, financial structure, sustainability themes, costing methods, budgeting issues, and potential exam‑relevant risks. The conversation also includes a full walkthrough of all six CIMA Core Activities (A–F) and expert exam‑technique guidance, including planning, subheadings, KPIs, and referencing attachments. Kevin also introduces the...

FLP 207. Modern Learning

FLP, the Finance Leadership Podcast

Guest Richard Stanfield from Kaplan joins us to outline some key aspects of modern learning. He sits down with show host Kevin Gormley to discuss: learning via FLP using AI during the pursuit of CGMA preparing for Case Study exams common study mistakes. The CGMA Finance Leadership Programme (FLP) is the online pathway to the prestigious Chartered Institute of Management Accountants’ Professional Qualification. Find out more about the FLP at or CONNECT Get in touch with show host Kevin Gormley via Thanks for listening. It takes just a couple of minutes to . You can...

FLP 206. Students tell us their experiences of using FLP

FLP, the Finance Leadership Podcast

Guests Matthew Payze and Stewardt Cornelissen join us from South Africa. Together we discuss their experiences in studying for CGMA, and share their advice and views on studying for the qualification via the FLP pathway. The CGMA Finance Leadership Programme (FLP) is the online pathway to the prestigious Chartered Institute of Management Accountants’ Professional Qualification. Find out more about the FLP at or CONNECT If you're on LinkedIn, feel free to connect with show host Connect with Matthew at or find out more about Collivery at Connect with...

FLP 205. Navigating the UK Accountancy job market

FLP, the Finance Leadership Podcast

Our guest is Jason Nye, CIMA's Senior Manager in Operations for the UK. Together we take a look at the UK market for Finance & Accounting and provide useful insights for anyone considering this sector as a career. Jason talks about his background, the market for jobs in the UK, what careers are open to CIMA students, where people can find roles, and how to start studying CIMA. We also discuss what types of companies have CIMA opportunities and how are they structured. Finally we share some employability tips. Find out more on the UK market at and ...

More Episodes

"You can compare what you're facing against what OTHER firms are facing."

AICPA & CIMA have just launched their 'Top Issues' surveys, one for the USA, and another focused on UK CIMA Members in Practice (MIPS). Brad Barbour, Manager for Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS) outlines how finance professionals can contribute, why that's important, and how sharing their opinions will end up helping small firms everywhere.

Talking Points. These are some of the topics we discussed in this episode.

New understandings of what previous research has told us about the issues facing small CPA firms BEFORE the pandemic
Hear about how those have been changed by the disruption in 2020-21
Talk through why – even though this type of information-gathering is not a huge time-suck - it can still reveal huge insights once it’s all put together.
How practitioners can get started with sharing their top issues wherever they are.

Our Guest. Brad Barbour is Manager - PCPS/Firm Services at the main AICPA and CIMA office in Durham, North Carolina. He also hosts the “Small Firm Philosophy” podcast for the Association’s PCPS community.

Resources. Use these links to find out more about this topic or access free and paid-for resources to implement in your own team or organisation.

Explore and complete the US CPA 'Top Issues' survey (by June 18 2021)
Today, May 28, the CIMA MIPS survey version launched here.

Share. Know someone who should hear this podcast? Click on these links to automatically share this episode with colleagues and friends. Recommend it to your LinkedIn connections, send to Twitter, auto-share on your Facebook page, or simply tell someone via email.

Social. Use #GoBeyondDisruption, @AICPANews or @CIMA_News.

About Our Podcast. These conversations with expert guests are recorded by different AICPA & CIMA team members from our offices around the world. While the sound quality may vary, we hope that the insights will be consistently useful.

Get in touch. How did you discover our podcast? Where do you listen? What would you like to hear more of? Finance pro or not, we're keen to know what you think. Email us here.

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