The CMA (Certified Management Accountant) credential is the advanced professional certification designed to demonstrate your command of the critical accounting and financial management skills demanded by today’s dynamic businesses, adding value to any organization you get employed in. The program is unique among professional and academic credentials as it is designed specifically for accounting and financial management professionals in business. Earning the title “CMA” demonstrates your professional expertise in financial planning, analysis, control, decision support, and professional ethics – essential skills sought after by successful organizations and their financial team leaders.
Whether you want to enhance your value within your current organization—or expand your career potential—the CMA is the key to maximizing your professional potential.
To develop the area of management accounting as a recognized profession by identifying the role of the management accountant in the field of risk management, internal decision making, planning and cost management, budgeting etc.
To administer a certification designed to validate competence and practical skills of accountants employed by today’s dynamic business entities.
To set minimum criteria in measuring academic standards in the field of management accounting.
To embolden management accountants to keep abreast of the changing conditions in the global business environment and pursue continuing professional development.
The examination is analysis-oriented that measures the candidates’ knowledge of important basic concepts and skills in relation to the areas mentioned in the syllabi.
Each part consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and two essays or long problems. A total of four hours is allotted to complete the examination, but in no case will the MCQ part go beyond the first three hours. As the candidate closes the MCQ part, (s)he will proceed to the essay part only upon garnering at least 50% correct responses in the MCQ part. Otherwise, the candidate shall be considered to have failed the exam part taken.
The essay part consists of two long problems and normally have about 4-5 subset of questions each.
The passing mark is 360 out of the possible 500 points.
The exam parts may be taken in any order. If the candidate so desires, (s)he may take both parts in one testing window, but each exam part may be taken only once per testing window. Candidates must register to take one exam part within the first 12 months of entering the program and must complete both exam parts within three years.
The CMA program lets you proceed at your own pace. You can earn a CMA in just six months or over a three year span. Busy professionals will find the CMA program to be time efficient and cost effective.
The basic requirements are:
Membership at the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or an equivalent degree as determined by an independent evaluation agency
Two continuous years of professional experience in management accounting or financial management
