CMA USA Overview

Finding an internationally acclaimed, high-level certification suitable for accountants and finance professionals in various industries can be challenging. CMA USA is the top pick being a globally recognized advanced-level credential best suited for financial professionals in business and accountants.

In simple words, CMA in the United States stands for Certified Management Accountant and is a widely recognized professional certification offered by the Institute of Management Accountants. For a better understanding of CMA, you need to scroll through its benefits, exam structure, course duration, and more.

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CMA USA has a range of benefits to shower you with. Here are some of the prominent benefits:
  • One of the first and foremost benefits of CMA USA is its global recognition. It provides global opportunities to the candidates,and is recognized in 140+ countries across the world. The course offers a better understanding of accounts, finance, and business.
  • The certificate is accepted worldwide and the course is considered one of the best accounting certifications. It is a perfect blend of business and accounting making it one of the main advantages of CMA.
  • Candidates holding a CMA degree are likelier to earn 67 percent more than a regular accountant with a Bachelor’s degree.
  • Multiple career opportunities associated with CMA also lure the candidates. With a CMA USA certificate, you can explore multiple career opportunities.

CMA USA Eligibility

To pursue the CMA USA course, you need to meet a few eligibility criteria. Here is a list to make it clear for the candidates:
  • One can start studying for the course while doing their 1st year graduation program.
  • To give exam, you need to have a minimum qualification of 10+2
  • One should have a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with at least 2 years of work experience in a relevant field in order to get the final certificate after clearing both the papers.
  • You need to complete the qualification and experience criteria within 7 years of passing both the exams.

CMA USA Examinations

  • To complete the course, you need to appear and clear ONLY TWO CMA USA online exam that can be written in 3 windows – January-February / May-June and September–October.
  • There is a two-part testing format where the candidates need to navigate through the comprehensive grasp of the essential competencies and understanding of strategic planning, financial analysis, management oversight, and strategic decision-making
    support.
  • The exam consists of 2 sections. The first one is of 3 hours with 100 MCQ questions. The second one is of 1 hour with 2 Essay questions.
  • The total exam is out of 500 marks in which a student needs to score 360 to clear that exam.
  • Exams are conducted in prometric centres which are available in all major cities across the world.

CMA USA Course Details

Part 1 Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics

  • External Financial Reporting Decisions (15%)
  • Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting (20%)
  • Performance Management (20%)
  • Cost Management (15%)
  • Internal Controls (15%)
  • Technology and Analytics (15%)

Part 2 Strategic Financial Management

  • Financial Statement Analysis (20%)
  • Corporate Finance (20%)
  • Business Decision Analysis (25%)
  • Enterprise Risk Management (10%)
  • Capital Investment Decisions (10%)
  • Professional Ethics (15%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Question What is CMA (US) qualification?

Answer

CMA (Certified Management Accountant) qualification is provided by IMA, US (Institute of Management Accountants), one of the professional accounting bodies of US, the other being AICPA (providing CPA qualification). The CMA (Certified Management Accountant) is an advanced professional management accounting certification specifically designed to measure the accounting and financial management skills that drive business performance. It awards the most coveted and prestigious Qualified Management Accountant designation recognized across the globe.

Question What is IMA and what is its role?

Answer

IMA or Institute of Management Accountants, US, is the apex management accounting body of United States of America.

Question What is the role of IPFC Academy?

Answer

IPFC Academy (International Professional Financial Careers Academy) is an internationally reputed institution providing extensive coaching for the CMA (US) qualification through LIVE ONLINE INTERACTIVE CLASSES accessible from home anywhere in the world after working hours. IPFC’s LIVE CLASSES are telecast to more than 45 countries at the same time on specified days of the week.

Question What is the eligibility for pursuing CMA (US)?

Answer

Bachelor’s degree, in any area, from an accredited college or university is required. Even those pursuing Bachelor’s can do this course; however, they need to provide proof of Bachelor’s degree at the time of certification. You also need to have a 2 years of experience before getting the final certificate.

Question Do I need to go for any credential verification before pursuing CMA (US)?

Answer

No, you need not go for any prior credential verification. However, degrees not from accredited institutions must be evaluated by an independent agency. You will have to produce your graduation certificate and relevant work experience documents to IMA to get the final certification.

Question What are the requirements to get the final certification?

Answer

To be eligible for CMA certification, you must fulfill all of the following requirements:

  • Membership in the Institute of Management Accountants
  • Paying the Entrance Fee
  • Satisfying the Education Qualification
  • Satisfying the Experience Qualification
  • Passing scores for all required examination parts
  • Compliance with the IMA Statement of Ethical Professional Practice

Question How many papers are there in CMA?

Answer

CMA comprises of only two papers (parts).

  • Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance and Analytics
  • Part 2: Strategic Financial Management

You will have to write two examinations of 4 hours-duration each. Each paper is a 500-mark exam consisting of 100 multiple choice questions (3 hours) and 2 essay type questions (1 hour).

Question What is the passing score?

Answer

The minimum passing score is 360 out of 500 or 72%.

Question What is the duration of the course?

Answer

A serious student can achieve this qualification within 6-9 months. However, IMA will allow you 3 years to complete the 2-part CMA program.

Question When and how many times can I write CMA exams?

Answer

You can write CMA exams three times a year in January/February, May/June and September/October.

Question How CMA exams are conducted?

Answer

CMA exams are conducted ONLINE through Prometric Examination Centers located across the world, including India. You will need to book your seat in a prometric center near you and go physically to the center to give the exam.

Question If I fail, can I repeat the exams?

Answer

Yes, you can go for repeated attempts. You will have to pay the examination fee again before taking the exam.

Question Can I write CMA (US) exams from India?

Answer

Yes, you can write CMA exams from India either through Prometric Exam centers located near you.

Question I am studying in college. Can I do CMA?

Answer

Yes, you can pursue CMA (US) and appear for the examinations but will have to produce your graduation certificate while acquiring the final CMA (US) certification. However, you will get pass certificate after passing CMA Part 1 and Part 2 examinations.

Question Is there any student discount offered by IMA?

Answer

Yes, IMA offers heavy discount in the Membership Fee, Exam Entrance Fee and Examination Fee for students pursuing graduation/post graduation or research program. University students (pursuing Bachelors, Masters or Ph.D.) get discount of about $476 in IMA fee.

Question What is the importance of CMA (US) in India?

Answer

CMA (US) being an internationally recognized qualification has a special importance in India. It is considered equivalent to ICWA qualification of India (presently known as CMA, India). CMA(US) qualified professionals are required in all Big4 companies and KPOs like TCS, Wipro, CTS, etc since 60-70% of their work loads are from BFSI sector in the USA

Question Can I get the ICWA, India certification if I pass both parts of CMA?

Answer

If you pass CMA exams from India, your qualification will be considered equivalent to ICWA, India. Previously there was a MOU between IMA and ICWAI which offered a CMA India certification to people who passed CMA US from abroad. However, that MOU has been cancelled and there is no such arrangement currently.

Question Do IPFC conduct classes regularly?

Answer

IPFC’s ONLINE classes are conducted throughout the year.

Question What are the timings of IPFC classes? I am a working professional?

Answer

Class timings are convenient both for students and working professionals. It ensures that you have the full day with you for your work/studies.

Classes are held 4 days a week as per the schedule below :

  • Thu and Fri – 21.30 to 23.30 IST
  • Sat and Sun – 22.00 to 24.00 IST

Question Will I face any difficulty with my CMA studies if I join a batch in the middle?

Answer

IPFC classes are rotational. Hence, there is no batch concept. In fact, 99% of the IPFC students/pass-outs have joined their training in middle of a batch. IPFC ensures that all its students have complete training and conceptual clarity about all the exam content. They also get adequate time for revisions before they go for actual examination.

Question What happens if I miss a class due to my busy office schedule or some personal work on any day?

Answer

Every LIVE class of ours are recorded. The recording along with the Class notes and sheets which are using during the training are available to you. You may go thru the same before attending the next LIVE class. That way, you do not miss any class OR fall back due to any reason.

Question If I do not understand any topic after attending the classes or attending the simulations, what options are available to me?

Answer

Once you join IPFC Academy, you become part of our active student community. You may post your query on the student forum OR you can also request for a 1 on 1 session which is available to you without any additional charges. These 1 on 1 sessions are held only between you and the faculty. Hence your doubts are fully cleared before you appear for any exam.

Question What is profile of IPFC faculty?

Answer

CMA (US) being a world class professional accounting qualification requires having faculties with rich industry experience, in-depth knowledge of teaching and adequate qualifications. IPFC faculties are themselves CMA (US), Engineers, MBAs from IIM Ahmedabad, ICWA and other prestigious international qualifications.

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