CMA US Course Details & Syllabus
About the CMA Qualification
The CMA (Certified Management Accountant) certification is a globally recognized, advanced-level credential for accountants and financial professionals in business. Achieving the CMA demonstrates your professional expertise in financial planning, analysis, control, decision support, and professional ethics.
The certification is awarded by the IMA (Institute of Management Accountants), and it signifies that you have mastered the critical accounting and financial management skills needed on the job today. CMAs can earn significantly more than their non-certified peers, making it one of the most valuable credentials in the finance and accounting world.
CMA in 3 Steps
Register for the course
Enroll with Global Fin X to get access to expert-led training and materials.
Pass the 2 Exams
Successfully clear both parts of the CMA exam to become CMA Qualified.
Submit Work Experience
Complete and verify two years of relevant professional experience.
Voila - CMA Member!
Achieve the prestigious Certified Management Accountant designation.
CMA Exam Structure
The CMA exam is organized into two parts, which can be taken in any order. Both parts are four hours in length and consist of 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and two 30-minute essay questions.
- The MCQ section is 3 hours long. You must achieve a minimum of 50% on this section to be eligible to take the essay section.
- The essay section consists of two scenarios, and you have one hour total to complete them.
- Scores are scaled, and a score of 360 out of 500 is required to pass each part.
Part 1
CMA Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics
External Financial Reporting Decisions (15%)
Covers financial statements, consolidation, integrated reporting, recognition, measurement, valuation, equity, revenue, and GAAP/IFRS differences.
Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting (20%)
Includes strategic planning, budgeting concepts, forecasting techniques, and top-level planning and analysis.
Performance Management (20%)
Focuses on cost and variance measures, responsibility centers and reporting segments, and performance measures.
Cost Management (15%)
Deals with measurement concepts, costing systems, overhead costs, and supply chain management.
Internal Controls (15%)
Covers governance, risk, and compliance, systems controls, and security measures.
Technology and Analytics (15%)
Encompasses information systems, data governance, technology-enabled finance transformation, and data analytics.
Part 2
CMA Part 2: Strategic Financial Management
Financial Statement Analysis (20%)
Focuses on basic financial statement analysis, financial ratios, profitability analysis, and special issues.
Corporate Finance (20%)
Includes risk and return, long-term financial management, raising capital, and working capital management.
Decision Analysis (25%)
Deals with cost/volume/profit (CVP) analysis, marginal analysis, and pricing decisions.
Risk Management (10%)
Covers enterprise risk management (ERM).
Investment Decisions (10%)
Covers capital budgeting process and capital investment analysis methods.
Professional Ethics (15%)
Covers business ethics and ethical considerations for management accounting and financial management professionals, based on IMA’s Statement of Ethical Professional Practice.
Eligibility & Requirements
To be eligible for CMA certification, you must fulfill the following requirements:
- Active IMA Membership: You must be an active member of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).
- Educational Qualification: You must satisfy one of the following education requirements:
- Hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (or an equivalent international degree). Degrees must be verified by an independent agency.
- Alternatively, certain professional certifications are accepted. Please check the official IMA website for a list of approved certifications.
Note: You can sit for the CMA exams before you have completed your bachelor's degree, but you must complete and verify your degree to be certified.
- Experience Qualification: 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 both parts of the examination.
- Examination: Pass both parts of the CMA exam.