Obtaining the prestigious CMA certification from a leading country like the USA will help you gain global exposure as well as international qualifications. The certification test is carried out three times a year – from May to June; September October; and January-February. The CMA certification allows certified candidates to obtain employment in the US financial sector . For anyone seeking to obtain a specialized accounting certification , this blog will provide you with the information you need about CMA USA, its curriculum, eligibility, tuition fees, and more!
Name of certification | Certified Management Accountant |
CMA Exam | Part 1: Financial planning, performance and analytics. Part 2. Strategic financial management. |
Examination sessions | May/June 2024; September/October 2024; January/February 2024 |
Course duration | 12-18 months to complete both parts, on average up to 3 years |
Passing score | 50% worldwide |
Degree of success | 4,000 CMAs are provided every year; 70,000 CMAs awarded to date |
Test window “CMA USA Exam Dates”
The table below shows the dates for the 2024 CMA:
Test window | Last date of registration | start date | Last date | Results obtained |
May/June 2024 | June 15, 2024 | May 1, 2024 | June 30, 2024 | To be announced |
September/October 2024 | October 15, 2024 | September 1, 2024 | October 31, 2024 | To be announced |
January/February 2024 | February 15, 2024 | January 1, 2024 | February 29, 2024 | To be announced |
Benefits of the US CMA
Below are some benefits of CMA USA:
- Career growth. One of the biggest benefits of earning a CMA USA is career growth and development. The CMA certification is available to several mid- and senior-level professionals who wish to gain experience in finance, management, accounting and business.
- Global Opportunities : CMA USA is a global professional certification recognized in countries such as China, India, UK, Canada and the Middle East. This provides an opportunity to live and work abroad, as well as learn about global practices and business ethics.
- Increased Financial Success : CMA is a lucrative opportunity and can lead to tremendous financial success. 58% of US CMA candidates see an increase in their salary and benefits, while 37% of candidates aged 20 to 29 worldwide have a salary advantage with a CMA.
- Short term course. Another advantage of CMA USA training is that it can be completed in 12 to 18 months. The CMA exam is conducted three times a year, giving candidates ample opportunity to complete the course on time: January and February, May and June, September and October.
- Generalist Certification: The CMA is a generalist degree open to candidates from a wide range of specializations. Candidates with at least 2 years of work experience and a Bachelor’s degree program in fields such as Engineering, Business Administration, Economics, Accounting and Finance can take up this course.
Read also: Certified Public Accountant Course (California): Duration, Eligibility
US CMA Selection Criteria
To pursue this prestigious IMA program, you need to fulfill certain prerequisites specified by the institution. Applicants with inaccurate applications or those who do not meet the requirements will not be admitted to the course. Mentioned below are the basic requirements for admission to CMA USA:
- IMA Membership
- Bachelor’s degree from a reputed institution in a relevant field.
- You must have 2 years of continuous experience in management or financial accounting.
- You must comply with the IMA Statement of Ethical Professional Practice.
Exam structure
The CMA exam has two parts, and you must pass both exams to earn this certification. You can take the CMA USA Part 1 or Part 2 exam in any order, but you will only be eligible for the next exam if you pass the first exam. Registration for the exam is only valid for one exam window, so you will have to register again if you want to appear for the exam again.
- The testing window opens every year in January/February, May/June and September/October. So, you can book a slot of your choice and take the exam accordingly.
- The CMA is a computer-based exam. Each exam will last 4 hours and include 100 MCQs as well as two essays of 30 minutes each.
Course name | Certified Management Accountant (CMA) |
institution | Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) |
Exam structure | Part 1 and Part 2 |
Number of questions | 100 in each part |
Duration | 4 hours |
Read also: How to become a chartered accountant?
Career Opportunities After CMA
Level A certification is widely recognized by leading financial and business organizations around the world. After graduating from CMA USA, you can explore a wide range of career options, here are some of them:
Job profiles and average salaries
Job Profiles | Average salary |
Senior Analyst | ₹7,50,000 |
Financial manager | ₹14,00,000 |
Budget Analyst | 12,00,000 won |
Treasurer | ₹8,90,000 |
Financial controller | ₹19,00,000 |
Internal accountant-auditor | ₹3,00,000 – ₹8,00,000 |
Financial Analyst | ₹5,00,000 |
Cost Accountant | ₹5,00000 – ₹6,00000 |
Management course student | ₹6,70,000 |
Top companies after receiving CMA USA certification
- Deloitte
- PvK
- KPMG
- HEY
- Accenture
- Genpact
- InterTrust
- Knowcraft Analytics
- aware
- Grant Thornton
- MaxLife Insurance
- JP Morgan Chase
- MasterCard
- Barclays
- Morgan Stanley
- HP
US CMA Program
Now that you are familiar with the basic details of the course, let’s understand the CMA USA Part 1 and Part 2 syllabus with the help of the tables given below:
Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance and Analytics | Weight |
Technology and Analysis | 15% |
Internal control | 15% |
Cost management | 15% |
Performance Management | 20% |
Planning, budgeting and forecasting | 20% |
External financial reporting solutions | 15% |
Part 2: Strategic Financial Management | Weight |
Financial Statement Analysis | 20% |
Corporate finance | 20% |
Decision Analysis | 25% |
Risk management | 10% |
Investment decisions | 10% |
Professional ethics | 15% |
Read also: CA Subjects
Cost of the US CMA program
CMA USA fees vary for professional, student, or academic IMA members. The following tables explain the fee details for this certification:
For professional members | Expenses |
CMA Application Fee (non-refundable) | US$280* [INR 21,000 – 22,000] |
Exam fee | US$460 per part [INR 35,000 – 36,000] |
For students/academic members | Expenses |
CMA Entrance Ticket | US$210* [INR 16,000 – 17,000] |
Exam fee | US$345 [INR 26,8000 – 27,000] |
* IMA membership is optional and also required.
US CMA: Getting Started
To qualify for a CMA course in the US, you need to follow a number of important steps. If candidates follow these simple steps, they can easily achieve their CMA USA dream. There are three simple steps to becoming a successful CMA. To begin, candidates must enroll in the CMA program to become members of the IMA and benefit from its benefits. The next step is to register for the CMA exam and gain access to all the benefits. The final step is to plan to meet the certification requirements and collect all the necessary documents.
CMA USA: passing the exam
Before you prepare to take the CMA exam, there are a number of important things you should consider. Those who register for the exam receive access to the CMA Exam Support Package, which includes a variety of practice sessions and previous year questions. Candidates are also recommended to study at least 150-170 hours per level or part and 300 hours in total . Here are some important points about the CMA exam:
- Candidates may attempt Parts 1 and 2 in any order .
- The testing window is only open during the January/February periods; May June; September October
- Exam registration is valid for one exam window only.
- It will take approximately 6 weeks from the end of the month in which you took the exam for your result to be emailed.
- The performance report will also be provided to the candidates after 14 days of receiving the result.
Also Read – Accountant Courses: Exams, Eligibility, Jobs, Scope of Application
Best Books for the US CMA
Here are the best books on mastering CMA USA:
- Wiley CMA excel 2017 exam review
- CMA Glaema Review: Business Applications
- Certified Management Accountant (CMA), USA – Part 1: Financial Reporting, Planning, Performance and Control, Muhammad Zain
- Strategic financial management
- CMA: Financial Planning, Performance and Control Exam Secrets: CMA Test Review for the Certified Management Accountant Exam
CMA Scholarship
To help students achieve their goal at CMA USA, the IMA organization also offers a scholarship to potential candidates. Since CMA is considered one of the best courses in management accounting, it is widely studied by students from all over the world. About 9,200 students around the world have received this scholarship, and more than 1,000 educational institutions from around the world have participated in this program. More than $14 million in scholarships have been awarded to assist IMA members.
Who is this for?
- High achieving students (BA to PhD )
- Students who attended an accredited school in the United States or anywhere in the world.
- Only 10 students per school and academic year can be nominated for the scholarship .
- All those nominated by the professor will receive a scholarship.
What does this include?
- CMA Program Application Fee
- Exam Support Pack with legacy exam questions and glossary of terms.
- Up to three years of IMA membership upon certification
- Access to the Wiley CMA Excel online test bank for both parts of the exam for up to two years (all regions except China)
CMA US vs CMA India
While both are equally recognized, there are some sharp differences between the details of CMA courses in USA and CMA courses in India . Let’s understand this with the help of the table given below:
Differentiators | US CMA | SMA India |
Board | IMA (Institute of Management Accountants), USA | Institute of Cost Accountants of India (formerly ICWAI), India |
Course structure | – EXAM PART 1 – Financial Planning, Performance and Analytics – EXAM PART 2 – Strategic Financial Management | Level 1 – CMA FoundationLevel 2 – CMA IntermediateLevel 3 – CMA FinalTotal 20 articles |
Course duration | 6-9 months | 3-4 years |
Exam windows | Jan-February May-June September-October | June and December |
Starting salary | INR 5-7 per year | 4-6 INR per year |
Must Read: How to become a Chartered Accountant in the UK?
CMA US vs CIMA UK
Below are the key differences between CMA USA and CIMA UK:
Details | US CMA | SIMA UK |
Academic focus | Management accounting | Management accounting |
Board | Institute of Management Accounting | Chartered Institute of Management Accountants |
Duration | 6 months | 2-4 years |
Articles | 2 articles | 16 articles |
Achievement Cost | 70 thousand Indian rupees | 2.5-3 lakh Indian rupees |
Confession | Globally | United Kingdom |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a US CMA degree valid in India?
Being an internationally recognized certification course, CMA is valid in India as well.
Is CMA USA a good course?
Whether a course is good or not depends on your professional goals. If you want to gain advanced knowledge in the field of finance and pursue career growth, then CA is the most suitable choice.
How to Pass the CMA Exam on the First Try?
Listed below are a few tips you can follow to pass the CMA exam on your first try:
1. Study the syllabus thoroughly.
2. Identify your strengths and weaknesses to prepare a plan accordingly.
3. Write a schedule.
4. Practice asking questions regularly.
5. Decide on multiple layouts.
6. Clear your concepts.
7. Review regularly to retain information for a longer period.
Finally, I hope you found the necessary information you were looking for related to the CMA USA exam. If this blog is helpful and you want to start your journey, you can contact us at Leverage Edu and our mentors will be happy to guide you through the process and also help you understand your chosen field.