Why CMA?

Amazing career potential.

CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) is the advanced professional certification specifically designed to measure the advanced accounting and financial management skills that drive business performance in today’s complex and challenging business environment. The CMA is tailor-made for finance professionals at all levels whether you want to enhance your value to your current organization, or expand your career potential. Earning the CMA will make you part of a network of more than 30,000 credentialed peers worldwide.  

EXAM STRUCTURE

PART I – Financial Planning, Performance and Controls
(4 hours – 100 multiple choice questions and two 30-minute essay questions)

  • Planning, budgeting and forecasting
  • Performance measurement
  • Cost management
  • Internal controls
  • Professional ethics  
     

PART II – Financial Decision Making
(4 hours – 100 multiple choice questions and two 30-minute essay questions)

  • Financial statement analysis
  • Corporate finance
  • Decision analysis and risk management
  • Investment decisions
  • Professional ethics
     

Please note that candidates for the CMA exam may sit for Parts 1 and 2 in any order.  

 

 

Why is CMA the Essential Credential?  

  •  Focused  
    CMA is the credential that focuses specifically on financial planning, analysis, control, and decision support, as well as professional ethics—the critical skills for today's complex and changing business environment.  
  • Respected  
    Leading employers seek to hire and promote CMAs.  Companies such as 3M, Alcoa, AT&T, Bank of America, Boeing, Cargill, Caterpillar, ConAgra, Hewlett-Packard, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, and Verizon have CMAs in key management roles.
    CMAs have demonstrated both technical competencies and an understanding of the linkage between strategy and financial performance and are grounded in a firm commitment to upholding strict professional ethical standards. 
  • Valued  
    The CMA is the certification that can deliver a tangible return on your investment.  Professionals with a CMA can earn nearly $25,000 more in average total compensation annually than noncertified peers.  (IMA Annual Salary Survey, 2010)
  •  Convenient
    The CMA program responds to the needs of busy professionals with a choice of flexible learning formats including the live instruction program offered here at Davenport University.  Upon completing a course, CMA candidates may sit for the exam at Prometric Testing Center locations worldwide. 

To become certified, a candidate must pass both parts of the CMA exam, be a member of IMA®, hold a bachelor's degree, and have two years of professional work experience in management accounting and/or financial management.