Strategic Management Accounting: USCMA Course Overview

CMA (Certified Management Accountant) certification has been the global benchmark for management accountants and financial professionals. The CMA is IMA's advanced professional certification for Accountants and Financial Professionals in Business, specifically designed to measure critical accounting and financial management skills.

IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) is one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession. IMA has a network of more than 100,000+ members.

Much shorter duration compared to other certifications. Global pass percentage is more than 50 %. Higher job prospects and high paying jobs at MNCs.

A CMAs is to ensure that the company's financial and overall performance are efficient so that the objectives of the companies are met. They are the people who make daily decisions within the companies for its survival and growth.

Many members choose to separate their tests Part 1 & 2 and each test might need substantial preparation time of 150-200 hours, thus one might take 18-24 months to complete the exams.

All CMA candidates have three years to pass both parts of the exam. The time will begin with the date of your registration into the CMA program. If you don’t complete the exam in three years, you will lose past scores and will need to register for the exam again.

Student: 10+2
Profession: Anyone with a bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university or a related professional certification.

The CMA exams are computer-based and administered at hundreds of Pro-metric Test Centres worldwide. With three testing windows each year, you can sit for an exam at a time and place convenient for you. If you are enrolled in the CMA program and are ready to sit for the exam, do the testing, windows are offered in January/February, May/June, and September/October. Register for the exam at www.imaonlinestore.com. Receive your authorisation number(s) along with further instructions. Schedule your exam appointment(s) with Pro-metric, our testing partner, at www.prometric.com/ICMA.

Candidates take the CMA exam in person at a Prometric Test Center. In accordance with local customs, Prometric Test Centers are available throughout the U.S. and internationally. To locate a test center, please visit www.prometric.com/ICMA.

Exams are offered according to the following schedule: January and February, May and June, September and October.

To schedule exam appointments, visit www.prometric.com/ICMA. Best is to schedule your appointment at least four weeks in advance. One should schedule the appointment with Pro-metric at least 72 hours in advance of the exam date. Once you are registered, you must take the exam part during your assigned testing session. If for any reason you are unable to schedule an exam appointment during the assigned testing window, you will need to pay another registration fee. Appointments cannot be rescheduled to another testing window.

A candidate must present proof of their identity to be permitted to take the CMA Exams. The name on your ID(s) must match exactly with the name on your authorization letter. Any changes must be made at least a week (7 days) prior to your first scheduled appointment. All identification must be original. Photocopies and/or electronic downloads are not acceptable.
PRIMARY (one form of ID needed) – original and unexpired - Passport, U.S. Passport Card, Government issued National Country ID (with photograph), EU Identity Card, Government issued driver’s license (with photograph) OR
SECONDARY (two forms of ID needed) - original and unexpired – one with a photograph, and one with your signature - Military ID Card, PAN Card (India), Aadhar Card (India), Voter ID (India), Bank ATM, debit, or credit card with signature

Each exam part will consist of 100 multiple-choice questions and two 30-minute essay questions. You will have three hours to complete the multiple-choice section and one hour to complete the essays.

4 hours - 3 hours for MCQs and 1 hour for essays.

You must answer at least 50% of the multiple-choice questions correctly to be eligible to take the essay section. The essays will be presented after you have completed the multiple-choice section of the exam or after three hours, whichever comes first. Once you complete and exit the multiple-choice section of the exam, you cannot go back. You must remain in the essay section to complete the exam. The essay section consists of approximately 10-12 written response or calculation questions based on two scenarios, describing a typical business situation.

No negative marking.

The minimum passing score is 360 for both parts of the exam. The exam score range is 0-500.

The scores for the multiple-choice section will be added to the scores of the essay section for a total weighted score of pass/fail reflected in a scaled score for the entire part. Candidates are not required to “pass” both sections; the total score determines pass/fail status.

An exam part may be taken only once in a testing window. You can sit for as many testing windows as you need in your three-year period. All retakes require a new exam registration (not CMA entrance), along with payment of appropriate fees.

Visit imanet.org/cma-certification to apply. Purchase the CMA entrance fee and IMA membership. The application process takes about 10 minutes.

Submit original transcripts (or notarised copies) electronically at CMAEducationDocuments@imanet.org. Email all documents in PDF format and make sure to include your IMA membership number.

Candidates for CMA certification must complete 2 parts.
Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics (4 hours – 100 multiple-choice questions and two 30-minute essays).
Part 2: Strategic Financial Management (4 hours – 100 multiple-choice questions and two 30-minute essays).

Exam results will be emailed and posted to your online profile approximately six weeks from the end of the month in which you tested. Performance Reports are sent via e-mail from Pro-metric to all candidates who take an exam part approximately 14 days after exam results are posted to the candidate’s profile.

On the IMA website, click “My Profile” and then “My Certifications.” There you will find your exam status and transcript, information on your work experience and education, and more.

Candidates for the CMA certification must complete two continuous years of professional experience in management accounting and/or financial management. This requirement may be completed prior to or within seven years of passing the examination.

Professional experience is expected to be gained in full-time employment. However, continuous part-time positions of 20 hours per week meeting the definition of qualified experience will count toward this requirement at a rate of one year of experience for every two years of part-time employment. Experience will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Professional Members Application Fees - $15 (One time)
Entrance Fees - $ 280 (Non-Refundable and 3 years validity)
Exam Fees - $ 460 each part (1 time Exam booking)
Membership Fees - $260 (1 year validity)
Student / Academic Member Application Fees - Nil
Entrance Fees - $ 210 (Non-Refundable and 3 years validity)
Exam Fees - $ 345 per Part (1time Exam booking)
Membership Fees - $45 (1 year validity)
Discounts available if students undertake the course through accredited learning providers

IMA membership is additional and required. It is $260 for professionals and $45 for students.

Discounts up to 50% are available if students undertake the course through accredited learning providers.

The CMA entrance fee is not refundable. The examination fee is refundable within 30 days from the date you purchased the exam and if no appointment has been set with Pro-metric. A processing fee will be subtracted from the refund.