SMA USA

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.

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