If you want to build your career in Accounting and Finance, then you are in the right place. In this article, we will cover a professional certification granted by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) called Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Certification. The interesting part is that it’s a globally recognized certification that demonstrates your skills in finance, accounting, cost management, and strategic financial planning. Regardless of your prior knowledge, the certification program provides end-to-end study material to help you prepare for the exam effectively and showcase your expertise in the real world of finance.
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Certified Management Accountant USA
These days, becoming a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) in the USA can unlock global career opportunities in the fields of finance and accounting. As this is a high-value certification for talented professionals, many people target the USA as their job destination. In the USA, the finance field with cma accounting certification offers high value and strong salary potential. However, keep in mind that working in the USA doesn’t always guarantee the highest salary. There are other countries as well that can offer you a well-deserved career with a high-paying package.
Pursuing the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification in the USA is a bit expensive, but it’s definitely worth it. The cost of the certification will be discussed a little later below, along with a comparison between the USA and other countries. Make sure to check it out.
CMA USA Certification Cost (2025)
Completing Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Certification in USA contains two segment of costs one for entrance fee and another is exam fee with part 1 and part 2. Also the package structure may vary based on student/academic members and professional members. See the cma usa details of costing.
| Fee Type | Student/Academic Members | Professional Members |
|---|---|---|
| CMA Entrance Fee | $225 | $300 |
| CMA Exam Fee (Per Part) | $370 | $495 |
Note:
- Entrance fee is a one-time payment for IMA membership.
- Exam fee applies per part (Part 1 & Part 2).
- Total estimated cost (both parts + entrance): $965 (Students) / $1,290 (Professionals).
Steps To Get Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Certification For Accounting
Here is a step-by-step approach to complete the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification. Generally, there are three main steps outlined by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). We at the CertsEasy team have simplified and discussed these three steps to ensure you don’t face any issues while pursuing the certification. Below are the simplified steps:
Step 1 : Become an IMA Member & Register as a CMA Candidate
Join the IMA as a student, academic, or professional member based on your category. Your fees will be calculated accordingly. Then, pay the entrance fee ( $225 for students, $300 for professionals ) and enroll as a CMA candidate to begin your certification journey.
Step 2: Register for the CMA Exam
After registering as an IMA member and completing the full course syllabus, register for the examination through the IMA portal. Schedule your Part 1 and Part 2 exams at a Pearson VUE test center. The exam fee for each part is $370 for students and $495 for professionals.
Step 3: Fulfill Both Education & Experience Requirements
At least holds bachelor’s degree from an established institution. Now complete 2 years of professional work in management accounting or financial management. Now clear both part 1 and part 2 within 3 years.
These are some simple steps as outlined by the IMA and researched by our team to help answer your queries.
How to Prepare for the CMA Exam
When preparing for Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Certification exam make sure to study pre existing metarials provided by the cerfication platform itself. Because it makes stronger foundational knowledge about cma accounting certification.
Best Study Resources For CMA Certification
- IMA-Approved Materials – Official CMA review courses.
- Gleim CMA Review – Highly recommended for practice questions.
- Wiley CMAexcel – Great for video lectures.
Study Tips :
- Create a Study Plan – Dedicate 150-200 hours per exam part.
- Take Mock Exams – Simulate real test conditions.
- Join CMA Forums – Engage with other candidates for tips.
Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Certification Exam Pattern 2025
Before appearing for CMA exam you must know the CMA question pattern for better time management during exam. Candidates must appear and pass two exam parts 1 & 2. Each part is design for testing different skill sets in management accounting. Below is the breakdown of CMA exam format, scoring, and key rules.
| Section | Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance & Analytics | Part 2: Strategic Financial Management |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4 hours total (3 hrs MCQs + 1 hr Essays) | 4 hours total (3 hrs MCQs + 1 hr Essays) |
| Question Types | 100 MCQs + 2 Essay Scenarios (10-12 sub-questions) | 100 MCQs + 2 Essay Scenarios (10-12 sub-questions) |
| Passing Criteria | Scaled score of 360/500 (Combined MCQ + Essay) | Scaled score of 360/500 (Combined MCQ + Essay) |
| MCQ Weightage | 75% (Must score ≥50% to proceed to essays) | 75% (Must score ≥50% to proceed to essays) |
| Essay Weightage | 25% (Graded offline) | 25% (Graded offline) |
CMA Salary & Career Opportunities
Certified management accountant designation can be relies among several job roles in financial market. The top job roles after Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Certification can be Financial Analyst, Cost Accountant, Chief Financial Officer (CFO). These roles are demanding in current days because every business, startups needs their own financial advisor to sustain long in the competitive market.
The salary of CMA Certification can be varies based on different region and cma designation. Below is the comparison for visualization of how a accounting management certification can boost your career growth.
Average CMA Salaries by Region (USA, INDIA, Middle East)
| Region | CMA Salary (Annual) | Non-CMA Salary (Annual) | CMA Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | $100,000 – $150,000+ | $70,000 – $90,000 | 24-39% higher |
| India | ₹10-25 Lakhs+ ($12,000-$30,000) | ₹5-12 Lakhs ($6,000-$15,000) | 50-100% higher |
| Middle East | $60,000 – $120,000 | $40,000 – $80,000 | 20-30% higher |
Read More : Top 10 IT Certifications to Boost Your Career in 2025 – Globally Recognized
FAQs Related To Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Certification
CMA certification is it worth it in 2025?
When building a career in accounting and finance, it’s important to prove your skills through practical application. The CMA certification is one such credential, with Part 1 and Part 2 of the examination specifically designed to validate your financial and analytical skills. Additionally, holding a CMA certification can lead to a highly competitive salary.
How much does the Certified Management Accountant CMA certification cost?
The total CMA cost ranges from $1,000–$1,500, including IMA membership ($275–$495), exam fees ($370–$495 per part), and study materials (~$300–$800). We discussed about cost before in detail, please follow full article.
What is the CMA certification full form?
CMA stands for Certified Management Accountant (CMA). Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) conduct CMA certifications for global accounting professionals, to showcase their practical skills. As per their records more than 100,000 accountants already accuared the CMA certification.
What is the CMA certification cost in India?
₹50,000 – ₹1,00,000* (covers registration, exams, and study materials). Coaching (₹20,000–₹50,000) and study materials (₹5,000–₹15,000) may apply. Pro Tip: Opt for self-study to save costs, or enroll in group coaching for discounts.
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