The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) in the United States awards the Certified Management Accountant (CMA), also known as the CMA USA course in India, as the highest level of management accounting and financial management certification.
US CMA is a globally recognized course offered by IMA. Founded in 1919, it has over 90,000 members worldwide, with a global presence in more than 140 countries through its CMA USA professional and student chapters.
The CMA (Certified Management Accountant) credential has long been regarded as the gold standard for management accountants and financial professionals. The course can be completed within 69 months, with a CMA professional certification. The IMA awards the US Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification.
Exam registration and the CMA course are two of the most important features of CMA USA.
US CMA eligibility criteria require you to pass the Class 12 exam. This is the most important part of the CMA journey since, after passing the exam and qualifying for the CMA, you can apply for jobs even if your certification is still pending.
After passing the CMA Exam, you can apply for IMA certification and membership. Remember, you have 7 years from the date of passing the exam to apply for IMA certification and membership.
To apply for IMA certification and membership, you must have
The CMA test has two parts. Depending on your preferences, you can register for any of the two parts first. The CMA test comprises 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and two essay-type questions in each part.
The MCQs account for 75% of your overall score on the CMA exam, while essay questions account for 25%. The exam can be scheduled on any day of your choice during the three exam windows namely, Jan, May-June, and September.
Jan-Feb: January 1 to February 28;
May-Jun: May 1 to June 30;
Sep-Oct: September 1 to October 31.
The two parts of the US CMA Exam are both four hours long and include the following:
Type of question:
| Question type | Duration | Number of questions | Time per question |
| Multiple Choice | 3 hours | 100 | 1.8 minutes essay |
| Essay type | 1 hour | 2 | 30 minutes |
NorthStar Academy takes six months for both parts to complete the course --- between 6 and 9 months to pass, which is significantly a shorter time for most certified management accountant exams. In our comprehensive mode of teaching, we take one part at a time with one monthly break in between to allow the students to appear for the exam.
The US CMA fee structure varies greatly in different parts of the world, typically ranging between 2 and 5 lakhs, which include the CMA training, entrance and membership fees, and both parts exam fees.
However, NorthStar Academy provides the best training at a much lower cost. Not just that, we also provide IMA-approved books as part of the package itself. For more details, connect to our career counselors today.
The course concentrates on the most recent updates, ethics, and financial statement analysis, as well as risk management, with a US GAAP flavor added in the segment to entice companies to hire people who have passed the US CMA Qualification. Unlike other management credentials, CMA USA only offers two tests.
Many Big4s in India hire qualified CMAs (USA) for FP&A, Risk advisory profiles (CMA USA focuses on risk management), and Internal FP&A profiles in outsourcing organizations such as Capgemini, Accenture, Amazon, and others. You may also contact NorthStar Academy for additional information on the course, study materials, and placement aid.
Currently, education institutions in Bangalore, Bangalore, and Mumbai offer CMA coaching. NorthStar Academy has one of the finest faculty teams for CMA USA today. Our teaching methodology has helped NSA maintain excellent results year after year. CMA USA fresher salaries in India start at 4 lakhs per annum.
Here is the fee structure at NorthStar Academy for the CMA USA exam in India
The cost listed above is solely the expense payable to IMA and does not include the cost of tutoring or study materials.
Note: NSA offers a massive bundle discount, and you will never have to pay the fees mentioned above. For more details, contact our career counselors.
The pass percentage for the US CMA Exam is 72 percent for each part, which means you must earn 360 out of 500 to pass the exam.
Let's explore the US CMA course syllabus. The syllabus is divided into two parts:
A candidate should be able to recognize the details of the CMA US course. One can also show that they understand the needs of each of the assertions, as well as the relationship between them and how they were prepared.
A candidate should be able to distinguish between financial and operating leases, recognize capital transactions, and understand the variations between GAAP and IFRS, among other things. This section is divided into two parts: budgeting and financial planning.
A candidate must compute several items such as the cost of goods sold, the cost of goods manufactured, and other items in this section. There are also a few conceptual issues to consider. This section goes into greater detail than the one before it. Although the ideas are simple, some questions can be lengthy.
The following are the sections in both parts of the CMA USA syllabus:
| Sections | Part 1 | Weightage | Part 2 | Weightage |
| Section A | External Financial Reporting Decisions | 15% | Financial Statement Analysis | 20% |
| Section B | Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting | 20% | Corporate Finance | 20% |
| Section C | Performance Management | 20% | Decision Analysis | 25% |
| Section D | Cost Management | 15% | Risk Management | 10% |
| Section E | Internal Controls | 15% | Investment Decisions | 10% |
| Section F | Technology and Analytics | 15% | Professional Ethics | 15% |
The CMA USA is a globally recognized, advanced-level accreditation for accountants and financial professionals. Management accountants play a crucial role in a company's profitability, revenue forecasts, financial planning, and analysis.
Ideally, the CMA USA qualification will lead you to the position of Financial Controller and, eventually, to the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO). With the CMA USA certification, professionals gain expertise in management accounting and financial management, opening doors to numerous career opportunities after CMA.
To pass the CMA exam and complete the CMA USA course, candidates must understand the CMA exam syllabus, which is divided into two parts. The CMA USA course details include the exam pattern, CMA USA subjects, US CMA course duration, CMA USA fees, and registration fees. The CMA USA program covers essential topics that help candidates prepare effectively and crack the exam.
The US CMA certification is widely valued, and many CMA USA candidates aspire to qualify and become CMA USA professionals. The CMA examination is conducted in specific exam windows, and candidates must meet the eligibility criteria for CMA USA before they can register for the exam. The US CMA course eligibility requirements ensure that only qualified individuals can pursue this prestigious credential.
If you are considering taking up CMA, explore the comprehensive CMA USA course offered by NorthStar Academy. The program provides a CMA exam support package to help candidates prepare for CMA, ace the exam, and achieve success. Whether you're looking to understand the CMA, explore the scope of US CMA, or compare CMA USA vs Indian CMA, we provide all the necessary guidance.
The US CMA course details include exam dates for 2026, fee structures, and guidance on how to qualify for the CMA. If you're ready to embark on this journey, apply for CMA today and take the next step toward becoming a US Certified Management Accountant. Join NorthStar Academy to avail yourself of the best CMA USA coaching and maximize your chances of success!
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Prepare for the CMA USA exam with NorthStar Academy's expert coaching, study plans, and CMA exam support package. Check CMA USA course details, exam dates, fees, syllabus, and US CMA eligibility today.
To apply for the CMA USA exam, candidates must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and at least two years of professional experience in management accounting or financial management.
The CMA USA exam consists of two parts: Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics
Part 2: Strategic Financial ManagementEach part includes 100 multiple-choice questions and two essay questions, with a duration of four hours per part.
CMA USA opens doors to high-demand roles such as Financial Analyst, Management Accountant, Finance Manager, and CFO, offering opportunities for career growth and leadership positions.
