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 practical guidance on how students should interpret the pre‑seen, identify exam‑relevant issues, and approach answers across all OCS core activities. 

This episode is especially valuable for candidates sitting their first CIMA Case Study exam and transitioning from Objective tests to a fully integrated, scenario‑based assessment. It  offers a concise but comprehensive roadmap for tackling the May 2026 OCS exam. 


Key Topics Covered
Case Study Overview: SOPA
SOPA is a family‑owned restaurant chain operating across nine locations.
The business operates in a highly competitive hospitality sector with tightening margins.
Strong revenue growth and profitability, but operational and strategic risks are emerging.
Heavy reliance on customer reviews, staff morale, and brand reputation.
Industry themes include: Rising labour and food costs
Low consumer confidence
Staffing shortages
Cost‑of‑living pressures

 
Strengths and Risks in the Pre‑Seen: Positives
Strong revenue and gross margin growth (outperforming the market)
Healthy cash position and working capital
Loyal customer base and sustainability credentials
Standardised menus and processes
 
Strengths and Risks in the Pre‑Seen: Risks & Weaknesses
Declining customer reviews
High staff turnover and morale concerns
High fixed‑cost base
Dependence on single suppliers
Potential over‑expansion risks
 
Expansion & Strategic Decisions
Potential exam‑relevant initiatives discussed in the pre‑seen included:
Opening new restaurants
Launching a ghost kitchen
Developing a branded dips product line
Entering a new foreign market
Exploring AI and digital ordering technology
The move from B2C to B2B activities is highlighted as a significant operational and financial risk area that candidates should prepare to address.
 
Exam Focus: Core Activities Breakdown
Alex walks through all six OCS core activities, highlighting what candidates should expect and where SOPA‑specific issues may arise:
Core Activity A – Costing Marginal costing vs absorption costing
New syllabus focus: Environmental and quality costing
Digital vs traditional costing (apps, online ordering, IT support costs)
Cost of quality (prevention, appraisal, internal & external failure)

Core Activity B – Budgeting & Forecasting Incremental vs zero‑based budgeting (ZBB)
Forecasting and seasonal trends
Rolling budgets and beyond budgeting
Importance of clearly explaining ZBB steps

Core Activity C – Performance Management KPIs (occupancy rates, sustainability, quality, staff metrics)
Variance analysis (including mix variances)
Use of attachments and data in answers

Core Activity D – Accounting & Reporting Reduced weighting but still examinable
PPE decisions (buy vs lease)
Inventory valuation (IAS 2)
Capitalisation and depreciation
Implications of sustainability investments (e.g. vertical farming)

Core Activity E – Decision Making Relevant and incremental cash flows
Outsourcing vs in‑house production (dips, ghost kitchen)
Decision trees and expected values
Linear programming and constraints
Weighted average benefit analysis

Core Activity F – Risk & Working Capital Inventory management (EOQ vs JIT)
Working capital cycle (negative cycle at SOPA)
Receivables emergence from B2B expansion
Factoring and invoice discounting
Cash surplus management and over‑trading risks


How the Exam Is Marked
Alex explains CIMA's four assessment pillars:
Technical understanding
Communication & professional tone
Use of information provided (attachments)
Application to the scenario
 
Key advice
Refer to SOPA frequently — name the company, people, products, and locations.
Use clear sub‑headings and structured answers.
Justify recommendations clearly.
Use planning time effectively.
No calculations required — focus on explanation and application.

Exam Tips & Final Advice
Expect questions around ghost kitchens, expansion, and B2B risks
Practice with mock exams and review model answers
Focus on structure, relevance, and professionalism
Remember: you must advise SOPA, not write generic theory

Useful Links
Finance Leadership Program: https://enroll.cgma.org
CGMA Hub with Case Study Resources & Mock Exams
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About Us
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 https://enroll.cgma.org/
Get in touch with show host Kevin Gormley via LinkedIn.
Contact the podcast team at [email protected]
This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here.

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 Operational and management level Case Study.
Pranav Bhat. BBA student, St. Joseph's College of Commerce. Passed OCS, preparing for Management Case Study.
Prerana Rao. BBA student, St. Joseph's College of Commerce. Achieved All‑India Rank in OCS. Recently completed MCS and preparing for SCS
HIGHLIGHTS

1. What it's like to sit the OCS while still an Undergraduate. Each student reflects on their first exposure to a case‑based professional exam.
2. Study strategies that worked. Details of how they structured (and sometimes didn't structure) their study plans:
3. The power of mock exams. How these graded exercises help to gain vital insights, get feedback, and understand examiners' expectations.
4. Their best advice for future OCS candidates. Practical perspectives, including this important takeaway: "Don't treat it like the end of the world. Relax. Enjoy the learning process."


ABOUT US.
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 https://enroll.cgma.org/ and at https://aicpa-cima.com.
Get in touch with show host Kevin Gormley via LinkedIn.
Email the podcast team at [email protected]
Thanks for listening. It takes just a couple of minutes to share your feedback here.
This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here.

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 expectations, improve answer proficiency, and rebuild confidence for the next exam attempt.
 
TOPICS COVERED
Understanding the Emotional Side of Exam Resits. Students often struggle with motivation, confidence, focus, and disappointment after narrowly failing. The support team acknowledges the emotional impact and provides structured and empathetic resources.
Overview of CIMA Support Resources
1. Revitalise — The Resit Guide. A self‑study resource designed to help students reassess, re‑focus, and re‑plan for their next exam attempt.
2. The Resit Program. A structured, flexible program run between results release and the next sitting. Hosted on the CIMA community platform to help students learn, network, and feel less isolated. Includes guidance, weekly resources, and informal live sessions for open discussion and emotional support.
3. The Proficiency Guide. Built using real candidate scripts from an actual exam sitting.
Shows examiner annotations on how responses were marked and how to turn "red arrows" into "green arrows." Includes scripts from a fail, marginal pass, and pass for comparison.
Particularly powerful for resit candidates who need clarity on how to improve performance.
4. One‑to‑One Coaching Support. FLP 1‑to‑1 coaching sessions for tailored advice, confidence‑building, and personalised study strategy.
5. CGMA Case Study Structured Success Program. A free 8‑week program for first‑time Case Study takers, run twice yearly. Supplements the FLP platform with added skills support (time management, motivation, exam skills).
6. Communities — Engage 365. Includes dedicated spaces for Case Study students, Resit students, and (soon) level learners. Allows global peer‑to‑peer learning, networking, and sharing.
 
TAKEAWAYS
Students should fully utilise the variety of free, high‑quality resources available through CIMA and FLP.
Understanding examiner expectations is essential, and real scripts in the Proficiency Guide make this far more accessible.
Resit success often depends on emotional readiness as much as technical readiness.
Community support helps reduce isolation and allows students to learn from peers.
Structured programs, coaching, and targeted guides can significantly improve exam performance.

USEFUL LINKS
FLP & CIMA Study Hub: Accessible via the FLP LMS - https://hub.cimaglobal.com/
Exam Support & Resources: aicpa‑cima.com https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/landing/exams
FLP Registration - enroll.cgma.org 
Community Platform (Engage 365): Accessible through the FLP environment - https://connect.aicpa-cima.com/home
Thanks for listening. It takes just a couple of minutes to share your feedback here.


ABOUT US.
The CGMA Finance Leadership Programme (FLP) is the online pathway to the prestigious Chartered Institute of Management Accountants' Professional Qualification. 
Get in touch with show host Kevin Gormley via LinkedIn.
Contact the podcast team at [email protected]
This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here.

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 updated 2026 direction of the Finance Leadership Podcast, which will now focus heavily on supporting Operational Case Study (OCS) candidates.
KEY POINTS
Overview of our podcast direction for 2026
Deep case analysis of Sumtrix (ski manufacturer: freestyle, touring, custom)
Financial highlights, revenue channels, and operational structure
Sustainability misalignment (importing North American materials)
Key red flags: seasonality, inventory buildup, rising overheads
Detailed breakdown of Core Activities A–F
Exam techniques: planning time, subheadings, KPI construction, use of attachments
Resources on the CGMA Hub for resit candidates
Thanks for listening. It takes just a couple of minutes to share your feedback.
 ABOUT US.
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 https://enroll.cgma.org/
Get in touch with show host Kevin Gormley via LinkedIn.
Your comments welcomed at [email protected]
This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here.

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 https://enroll.cgma.org/ or https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/landing/the-cgma-r-finance-leadership-program.
CONNECT 
Get in touch with show host Kevin Gormley via LinkedIn.
Thanks for listening. It takes just a couple of minutes to share your feedback. You can also contact us directly at [email protected]
This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here.