4 Best CMA Books Helpful for CMA US Exams | CMA Foundation Books and Study Materials

The CMA US certification is one of the most prestigious and internationally recognized credentials in the field of accounting The certification issued by the IMA (Institute of Management Accountants), CMA US, is an especially precious qualification to have for accounting professionals wanting to climb up the corporate ladder and reach the managerial role.

The US  Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification focuses more on managerial accounting, It will let CMAs get a higher position in the corporate world. With a higher position comes a higher salary. CMA-certified accountants can get way better remuneration than their non-CMA counterparts. As the CMA credentials are internationally recognized accounting qualifications, you get the chance to work anywhere in the world you want to be. All of this attracts many individuals to achieve the CMA certification. However, without proper guidance and quality CMA books and study materials, most of them are not able to achieve the CMA certification.

The applicants are required to pass two rigorous examinations to get their CMA US certification. These two examinations are quite challenging to clear. With only a 45% pass rate, these two examinations are considered the valued of all the examinations conducted in the field of accounting.

But if you put together a great study plan with the help of the right mentors/CMA books and stick to that study plan, then you most probably can crack the CMA examination. But deciding on the right CMA books and mentors is not as easy as it may sound. Effective exam preparation is essential for those aiming to pass the CMA exam. To achieve this goal, candidates should focus on understanding the exam content thoroughly and utilize study resources efficiently. Developing a structured study plan, practicing with past exam questions, and reviewing key concepts can significantly enhance your chances of passing the CMA exam successfully. Being well-prepared will not only boost your confidence but also improve your performance on exam day.

With several options of US CMA books and a review system created by various companies, it becomes quite a hustle to find the right fit for you. Especially, when all these companies constantly boast that their study material is the best. In this article, you will find out which CMA book publishers and study materials are the best for you.

Key Takeaways

• the best CMA USA Books in India

• CMA Books PDF for CMA Foundation, Intermediate & Final Levels

• CMA Intermediate books

Which are the best CMA USA Books in India?

It is necessary to find high-quality CMA books and study materials that add value to your learning style while not putting too much burden on you. The review system for CMA US refers to the collection of self-study resources designed to crack CMA US exams.

Let us first see the syllabus of the CMA USA exam for both parts, along with the subject percentage breakdown.

Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics

• 15% - External Financial Reporting Decisions
• 20% - Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting
• 20% - Performance Management
• 15% - Cost Management
• 15% - Internal Controls
• 15% - Technology and Analytics

Part 2: Strategic Financial Management

• 20% - Financial Statement Analysis
• 20% - Corporate Finance
• 25% - Decision Analysis
• 10% - Risk Management
• 10% - Investment Decision
• 15% - Professional Ethics

IMA, the conducting body, does not provide any study material. Hence, the applicant has to rely on third-party companies for the study materials, though these companies are verified by the IMA. These companies include Becker, Gleim, Hock, Wiley, and a few more. All of them propagate that their study material is superior. Of course, each of them has its pros and cons. But all this makes the selection of the right study material a task in itself.

Hence, to help you find the right study material and CMA books, we at NorthStar Academy have the most preferred study material, CMA prep courses, and review courses. These are the best set of study materials that can cater to an Indian student or accounting professional and help them immensely in clearing the CMA USA exam.

Let's look at the top options for CMA study materials and books, ranked from top to bottom.

1. Becker US CMA Review System

Becker is a respected brand for creating study material in accounting and is well known for its CPA books. A little more than a year ago, the company started to produce its own CMA Books and study material.

Becker's review system also provides one-by-one tutoring and live webinars with their study material. Candidates who are having difficulty understanding a topic from the book will be given the option to speak with experts who can answer all their queries.

But as not much time has passed since the release, the Books and study materials from this company still have to pass the test of time, which is why many are reluctant to purchase the Becker CMA review course.

2. Gleim US CMA Study Material

Gleim is one of the first providers of study materials for the US Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification. The study material provided by Gleim is considered one of the most detailed CMA books/study materials. It is also the most affordable of the courses mentioned here.

The study guide provided by Gleim includes a massive 4,500 multiple-choice questions. Making Gleim one of the largest test banks.

Gleim has been providing study material for CMA US certification for more than 45 years, which means Gleim's study material/review course is also time-tested. Hence, it is the most popular and commonly used review system. 

However, the language used in the CMA books of Gleim courses is a little difficult, as it is designed assuming you have some financial knowledge.

You will be good to go if you join a reputed institute like NorthStar Academy and let their tutors and mentors make things simpler for you. NSA has an association with the Gleim and provides their study material along with much-needed attention, support, and other vital aspects. 

3. Wiley US CMA Review System

Wiley offers highly comprehensive study material, specially designed for students doing self-study for the CMA US examination. The language used in the Wiley CMA books and study materials is clear and easy to understand. This means that books are written for individuals with no prior financial knowledge. Hence, can be followed by complete beginners. The Wiley CMA Excel Platinum Review Course includes more than 65+ hours of video guidance, along with test-based guides and mock exams.

The Wiley Review system also includes a performance tracker and an Interactive study planner, for creating the best study plan.

Due to these limitations, the Wiley US CMA study material is quite expensive for many candidates.

4. Hock US CMA Study Material

Hock CMA study materials have become popular recently, especially among international students. It is a great course, which is designed to suit everyone and it is also the most affordable CMA study material available on the market. The most fascinating thing about the Hock CMA course is that it is the only review course to offer the You Pass or We Pay Guarantee assurance.

These are some of the study materials that you can get hold of in India, however, keep in mind that Gleims study materials, in association with NorthStar Academy, are the best. The course material, mentorship, guidance, doubt resolution, and real-world project experience are some of the best advantages of joining the NorthStar Academy. You can enroll in their CMA USA course to get access to the most referred-to and highly relevant study material.

CMA Books PDF for CMA Foundation, Intermediate & Final Levels

CMA Books PDF for CMA Foundation, Intermediate & Final Levels

The CMA India certification is the Indian version of CMA USA. The ICMAI, an organization of accounting professionals, conducts the CMA India. The CMA India is conducted in three phases: the CMA foundational, CMA Intermediate, and CMA final. With 20 subjects divided into these three examinations, 

The candidates have to clear all three examinations to get the CMA India certification and to clear these examinations, you need good-quality study material and books. CMA foundation books and other CMA study materials, provided by the ICMAI, are the best and most reliable. Here is the list of CMA books required to crack the examination.

CMA Foundation Books:

Getting CMA Foundation books is the first step toward the CMA India certification. The Foundation exam consists of 4 papers, and the ICMAI has launched 4 different CMA foundation books for each paper. You can download these 4 CMA foundation books from the official website of ICMAI. But to make things simpler for you, here are the links to download CMA foundation books: 

Papers	CMA foundation books PDFs
Paper 1 - Fundamentals of Economics and Management	Click here to download
Paper 2 - Fundamentals of Accounting	Click here to download
Paper 3 - Fundamentals of Laws and Ethics	Click here to download
Paper 4 - Fundamentals of Business Mathematics and Statistics	Click here to download

Other than the books by the ICMAI, the candidate can use these reference CMA foundation books:

• Fundamentals of Accounting by N S Zad.
• Financial Accounting by Jasmine Kaur.
• Offenses Under Company Law (Penalties & Punishments) by CA Kamal Garg
• Fundamentals of Business Mathematics by Dr. S.R. Arora and Dr. Kavita Gupta.

CMA Intermediate books

Unlike the 4 CMA foundation books, there are 8 CMA intermediate books. But the examination can be taken in two groups, each group having 4 books. Here is the list of CMA inter-books, provided by the ICMAI. 

Paper-5: Financial Accounting (Group 1)

Paper- 6: Laws and Ethics (Group 1)

Paper- 7: Direct Taxation (Group 1)

Paper- 8: Cost Accounting (Group 1)

Paper- 9: Operations Management & Strategic Management (Group 2)

Paper 10: Cost & Management Accounting and Financial Management (Group 2)

Paper- 11: Indirect Taxation (Group 2)

Paper- 12: Company Accounts & Audit (Group 2)

CMA Final books

ICMAI also offers the 8 CMA final books for all 8 papers and subjects, as it does for the CMA foundation books and Inter books. Here is a list of books with download links. 

Paper- 13: Corporate Laws & Compliance (Group 3)

Paper- 14: Strategic Financial Management (Group 3)

Paper 15: Strategic Cost Management: Decision making (Group 3)

Paper 16: Direct Tax Laws and International Taxation (Group 3)

Paper- 17: Corporate Financial Reporting Revised (Group 4)

Paper 18: Indirect Tax Laws and Practice (Group 4)

Paper 19: Cost and Management Audit (Group 4)

Paper 20: Strategic Performance Management and Business Valuation (Group 4)

 

Conclusion

Good quality books/study materials are necessary to clear any exam, especially for a comprehensive examination like CMA USA. It is essential to have relevant CMA foundation books and CMA USA books to create an understanding of the syllabus and question type. In terms of affordability, the CMA review systems by Hock and Gleim are the most affordable ones. In terms of overall quality, Gleim, the oldest, most precise, and comprehensive study material, is the best for studying the CMA USA core concepts of all subjects. 

To get the hang of the syllabus with highly organized training, you can go for the NorthStar Academy CMA USA course. We are the leading institute in this field, giving the right pathway to thousands of individuals and professionals with our top mentors, like M Irfat Sir.

We at NorthStar Academy offer Becker's CMA Books/study materials for preparing the students for CMA USA exams, as it is much more comprehensive having the 12-section wise books along with the Essay case study books. For more information, you can always contact us and we will clear all your queries and counsel you through. We also provide bundle discounts for individuals who want to get enrolled in our top courses and become a master in the financial management field.