Overview of the CMA Certification

The CMA is a globally recognized certification for management accounting and finance professionals. Accountants equipped with their CMA certification work in accounting, strategy, and corporate finance teams across many different industries. The positions they hold include cost accountant, financial strategist, risk manager, and CFO. Many Certified Management Accountants function as executive decision-makers within their teams.

A Certified Management Accountant (CMA) is a management accounting and financial management professional who has passed the CMA exam and met the other CMA certification requirements. CMAs often work closely with upper management, where their knowledge, skills, and experience influence the direction of their organizations. CMAs provide meaningful financial data and analysis that help companies answer important financial questions, such as:

Ultimately, this page and the content it links to are meant to act as a hub to give you everything you need to know about CMA certification requirements. Keep exploring this page to learn:

Why go through all the effort of becoming a CMA? For starters, the CMA certification is one of a few major accounting certifications that can fuel career growth and propel you toward success. Plus, it’s globally recognized and opens doors at large companies and accounting firms. It’s comparable to the CPA certification, and deciding which one to obtain often depends on your career goals. CMAs blend accounting acumen with business knowledge, which positions them to be managers and decision-makers.

These are the top 4 reasons to become a CMA:

Get ready for exciting leadership opportunities with serious earning potential as a Certified Management Accountant once you fulfill these five CMA certification requirements:

1. Join IMA
2. Enroll in the CMA program
3. Pass the CMA exam
4. Meet the CMA education requirement
5. Meet the CMA experience requirement

The first CMA certification requirement is to join IMA (Institute of Management Accountants), which is the organization that administers the CMA. IMA membership comes with perks like discounted and free continuing education options, networking opportunities, and access to a world-wide community of management accountants.

Once you’re an IMA member, enroll in the CMA program with the Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) and pay their fee. No one likes fees, but keep in mind that the CMA certification can pay for its cost many times over in salary.

Aside from writing the CMA exam, ICMA grades the exam, generates your score reports, notifies your employer once you’ve completed the program, and provides you with a personalized, numbered certification upon completion of the program.

After you join the CMA program, you have three years to pass both parts of the CMA exam. If you don’t pass the CMA exam in that timeframe, you’ll need to enroll in the CMA program and pay the fee again.

After you’ve joined IMA and enrolled in the CMA program, you’re ready to prep for the pivotal CMA certification requirement—the CMA exam. The CMA exam is split into two parts.  Both parts have the same structure:

Part 1 of the CMA exam covers financial planning, performance, and analytics. Part 2 covers strategic financial management. Passing the CMA exam is the most difficult step for most people. A solid study plan can make all the difference.

Part of passing the CMA exam is ensuring you also have a grasp on the logistical aspects of preparing for the test, and monitoring your results. There is also a fee associated with the CMA exam, and specific windows in which the CMA exam is offered.

ICMA requires CMA candidates to earn a four-year degree from an accredited college or university.

Although the CMA is based in the United States, it has global reach. Degrees from any country are accepted without question, as long as the institution is accredited.

Even students at unaccredited institutions can meet this requirement if they have their degree evaluated and cleared by an independent agency. Additionally, there are several professional certificates from around the world that can substitute for a degree.

Your education requirement doesn’t need to be completed before you enroll in the CMA program or sit for the CMA exam. You’ll just need to complete the education requirement and send in verification (i.e., transcripts) within 7 years of passing the CMA exam.

ICMA requires that CMA candidates have at least two continuous years of full-time work experience in management accounting or financial management. This CMA certification requirement can also be met by working part-time at least 20 hours per week. Two years of qualifying part-time work will count as one year of full-time work.

Your experience requirement doesn’t need to be completed before you enroll in the CMA program or sit for the CMA exam. You have 7 years from the date you pass the exam to complete the experience requirement and submit a work verification form.