The US Certified Management Accountant (CMA) course, offered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), requires a bachelor's degree, two years of relevant work experience, and passing both parts of the CMA exam. The syllabus covers financial reporting, planning, performance management, and financial decision-making. IMA also offers scholarships for students in accredited accounting or business programs.
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The CMA exam, or Certified Management Accountant exam, is a worldwide recognized credential provided by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). It is aimed at professionals dealing in management accounting and financial management and is specifically for areas of financial planning, analysis, control, decision support, and professional ethics. The examination is divided into two parts: Part 1 – Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics, and Part 2 – Strategic Financial Management. Both parts have multiple-choice questions as well as essay scenarios to assess practical application of knowledge.
In order to become eligible for the CMA certification, candidates need to have a bachelor's degree, two or more years of work experience in an appropriate field, and should be an active member of the IMA. The test should be done within three years of enrollment in the CMA program. The CMA can result in career advancement in positions including financial analyst, cost accountant, controller, and CFO, so the certification is a worthwhile one for the person who wants to move up in finance and accounting management.
No doubt, pursuing a CMA USA course is way more beneficial than other master's degrees. However, it is not an easy task to study them due to the eligibility criteria. Let's know them here. It will help you predict your chances of pursuing it in America.
To be eligible for US CMA certification, preferably you would need to possess a bachelor's degree from a reputable university and two years of professional work experience in financial management or in management accounting. You also must pass both portions of the CMA exam and become a member of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).
Educational Requirement: A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or university is generally the minimum required. You also can sit for the CMA in the last year of an undergraduate degree program, but you'll need to confirm your degree within seven years of passing an exam.
Professional Experience: You should possess two years' experience of management accounting or financial management.
IMA Membership: You would need to be an Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) member.
CMA Exam: You must pass both parts of the CMA exam.
Degree and Work Experience Verification: You will need to provide documentation and proof of your work experience and degree to the IMA.
The US CMA exam fees vary based on whether you're a professional or a student/academic member. The entrance fee is $300 for professionals and $225 for students/academics, and the exam fee is $495 per part for professionals and $370 per part for students/academics. The exam pattern includes multiple-choice questions and essay questions, and each part consisting of 100 MCQs and 2 essays.
Professional Members: $300
Student/Academic Members: $225
Professional Members: $495
Student/Academic Members: $370
Professional Members: $295
Student/Academic Members: $49 or $160
This is the CMA exam pattern for 2025. Thus, give a thorough read to it and be fully prepared to appear in the exam. Moreover, there are several scholarships that you can avail for this course. To know the important details about the same, go through the next section.
The CMA USA course curriculum is split into two segments: Part 1 - Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics, and Part 2 - Strategic Financial Management. Part 1 consists of subject areas such as financial reporting, budgeting, internal controls, and technology and analytics. Part 2 consists of subject areas such as financial statement analysis, corporate finance, business decision analysis, risk management, and professional ethics.
Following is a more detailed segmentation:
Consists of preparation of financial statements, recognition, measurement, valuation, and disclosure.
Comprises strategic planning, budgeting concepts, forecasting techniques, and budgeting strategies.
Comprises cost and variance analysis, responsibility centers, and performance metrics.
Comprises principles of measurement, costing techniques, overhead, supply chain management, and business process re-engineering.
Includes governance, risk, and compliance, system controls, and security.
Includes data governance, financial transformation through technology, information systems, and data analytics.
The CMA syllabus is aimed at equipping candidates with the skills and knowledge necessary for financial strategy and performance management as well as analysis within a business enterprise. The curriculum also emphasizes the use of technology and analytics in financial decision-making and risk management.
Note- You can use a Course Finder for USAto know the institutes offering your favourite course.
These were all the US CMA course details. Now, this section is all about the course fees. Every aspirant planning to study in USA must know it as it will help them budget their journey.
Suggested to read: CA Salary in USA for 2025
There are several CMA scholarships that you can avail of to get financial support during your admission. Moreover, read below to know details such as eligibility and coverage of the same.
The factors that impact the selection of students are:
These are the details of scholarships for the CMA USA course. Check if you are eligible and also see what you will get when selected for the scholarship. Now the main goal of a student is to complete the course and get a high-paying good job. Thus, to know the job opportunities and salary of the CMA course, go through the next section.
The average salary of a CMA professional is comparatively higher compared to others. The wages of a CMA can range from $50,000 to $120,000+ annually, with experienced professionals earning more. Moreover, some of the factors that affect the salary of the CMA professionals are:
1. Regional Differences- Salaries can vary by region, with some states offering higher base salaries than others.
2. Industry Differences- CMA professionals in certain industries, like information technology and banking, tend to earn higher base salaries than those in other sectors.
Apart from that, some of the specific job titles with their salaries are:
These are the necessary details about the job opportunities and salaries of the CMA professionals.
The CMA accounting certification proves the expertise of professionals in management accounting and financial management, which involves areas such as financial planning, analysis, control, decision support, and professional ethics. Moreover, it is important to know that this course is recognized globally in over 150 countries. Thus, it is a beneficial factor to hold the CMA accounting certification as it promotes career advancement, increasing the potential of high earning and making life successful.
This was all about the CMA USA course. In this blog, you read about the eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, and future career opportunities for the CMA course. Thus, it is clear that a CMA professional earns comparatively higher than other fields. So, if you also want to pursue a CMA course from the USA, then reach out to our study abroad consultants. They will help you in the admission process and other steps involved in your journey of studying abroad.
Also read: Education Loan in USA
The full form of CMA is Certified Management Accountant. It's a professional certification focused on management accounting and financial management.
The CMA course, short for Certified Management Accountant, is a globally recognized professional certification focused on management accounting and financial management. It's offered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to excel in financial planning, analysis, and strategic decision-making.
The passing score for the CMA exam is 360 out of 500. This is a scaled score, not a percentage of questions answered correctly. Both Part 1 and Part 2 of the exam are scored independently, and candidates must pass both to achieve certification.
The CMA course in India generally takes 2.5 to 3 years to complete after graduation. The course is divided into three levels: Foundation, Intermediate, and Final.
Q.5 What is the difference between CMA USA vs. CMA India?
|
Feature |
US CMA |
Indian CMA |
|
Governing Body |
Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) |
Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI) |
|
Exam Parts/Levels |
2 Parts |
3 Levels (Foundation, Intermediate, Final) |
|
Global Recognition |
High |
Moderate |
|
Salary (Average) |
$107,817 |
INR 6-12 lakhs per year |
|
Exam Costs |
$1,000 – $2,500 |
INR 50,000 – INR 100,000 |
|
Duration to Complete |
6-12 months |
2-3 years |
|
Continuing Education |
30 hours annually (2 ethics) |
20 hours annually |
|
Exam Pass Rate |
~50% |
~40% |
|
Focus Areas |
Strategic and Financial Management |
Cost Management and Compliance |
|
Ideal For |
International careers |
Indian market careers |
To become a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), you need to meet certain requirements, including earning a bachelor's degree or a relevant professional certification, gaining at least two years of professional experience in management accounting or financial management, joining the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), and successfully passing the two-part CMA exam.
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