fulfil CMA CPE requirements while studying, earning CPE credits during graduation, balancing CPE and graduation for CMA

👤 NorthStar Academy📅 13 Aug, 24⏱ 10 min read

How to Fulfil CMA CPE Requirements While Pursuing Graduation

To earn the CMA designation, candidates must meet specific experience requirements, which are integral to the certification process. This typically involves demonstrating professional experience in management accounting or financial management roles. The experience requirement ensures that candidates have practical, hands-on knowledge that complements their theoretical understanding.

By fulfilling this requirement, individuals not only prove their capability in real-world scenarios but also enhance their credibility and effectiveness as Certified Management Accountants. This practical experience is crucial for applying the skills learned throughout the certification process and contributes to a more robust professional profile.

How to Fulfil Your Continuing Education in CMA while Graduation

To become a licensed Certified Public Accountant or CPA, it is essential to complete CPE (Continuing Professional Education) to keep up the professional acumen and stay updated in the accounting world. But what about CMAs or Certified Management Accountants?

Whenever we talk about CMAs, many questions lurk in our minds, like, Is doing a CMA during graduation good? How many CPE hours are required for CMA? etc. CMA is a practical certification course that keeps the person updated and helps in the long run.

Certified Management Accountants are somewhat similar to CPAs. They also required the appropriate number of CPE hours with specific stipulations to keep the certification course or credential active. Maintaining the CMA CPE requirements every year can seem to be a tedious and daunting task. However, it is essential to take the right courses for your graduation that align with the certification courses. We know that the CMA certification has raised a lot of questions in your mind. But don't worry! We've got your back.

In this article, we will explore CMA CPE study hours; discuss important details about the course, and provide all other information that will help you in the long run. When you take a CMA CPE course, you are better equipped to handle whichever project comes your way. By taking up the course, you get all the useful information and knowledge that will help you become competent in the corporate world. So, without further ado, let us begin!

What is the CMA USA Course?

Certified Management Accountant is a professional credential in the field of financial and management accounting. The certification provided is a clear indication that the person has expertise in certain areas like financial planning, control decision support, analysis, etc. Doing CMA while graduating is a great course, as you can complete your bachelor's education along with the certification course.

IMA, i.e., Institute of Management Accountants, USA, is the administrative body of CMA. Now, as far as the CMA USA exam is concerned, it comprises 2 exam parts, i.e.,

Part 1 comprises three subjects, namely Analytics, financial planning, and performance. You get 4 hours for this exam part, where three hours are for 100 MCQs (375 marks) and one hour is for 2 essay questions (125 marks) (30 minutes each).

Part 2 is of the same structure, where the focus subject is Strategic Financial Management.

A total score of 360 out of 500 represents that the candidate has qualified for the exam and is eligible to become a Qualified US CMA. Part one of the CMA USA exam seems difficult and candidates need to have proper preparation for the same.

Here is the syllabus for the US CMA exam. Have a look!

Part 1: CMA USA Financial Planning, Performance, & Analytics

Technology and Analysis
Internal Controls
Cost Management
Performance Management
Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting
External Financial Reporting Decisions

Part 2: CMA USA Strategic Financial Management

Financial Statement Analysis
Corporate Finance
Decision Analysis
Risk Management
Investment Decisions
Professional Ethics

The exam is very rigorous and thus, it is essential to prepare accordingly. The certification course for CMA during graduation is for three years. Therefore, candidates are advised to start preparing for the exam beforehand.

Number of Hours Required to Fulfill the CMA CPE Credits

A candidate earns the credential CMA USA when all CPE requirements are fulfilled after one year.
For CMA CPE requirements, the year is counted from January 1st to December 31st.
The CPE topics chosen by the candidates for the certification course must be in the approved topics.
A candidate needs thirty hours for each topic. If more than thirty hours have been completed by the candidate, then they can be carried forward in the next calendar year.

There are many qualifying course subjects and topics like financial accounting, business applications, financial management, marketing, law, business, economics, etc. Candidates can choose any of the topics and start working on them to fulfill the requirements.

One thing to note here is that, along with doing CMA while graduating, there are plenty of topics to work on. While working on these topics and subjects, a minimum of two hours is also required for ethics courses. In the process of completing thirty hours of CPE requirements, one thing to note is that anything won't count.

Candidates have to work on subjects approved by IMA that can help them complete their CPE credit hours for Exam. Here are some subjects:

Accounting
Financial Accounting
Mathematics & Statistics
Management
Economics
Production
Organizational Behavior
Business Law
Production
Computer Science

For more topics, candidates are suggested to visit the official website of IMA so that they can decide and start working on the topics alongside CMA while graduating. Now, let us see how to earn CPE hours.

How to Earn CPE Hours?

To do CMA while graduating, specific CPE credit hours are required to keep CMA certification active. To do this, candidates must have a strategic plan.

Every year, candidates must space out thirty CPE hours. Thirty hours seems like too much to cram in the last minutes! Below are some ways that will help you earn some credits for CPE.

Courses for CMA CPE

Candidates can apply for a US CMA certification course. Such courses are provided by colleges and universities. They are available online through course providers like CMA USA is provided by IMA. These CMA CPE courses enhance your skills and knowledge through webinars, research, etc., to help you earn CPE credits. For instance, ACCA has NASBA-approved courses for auditing, technology, management, etc., which will help the candidate complete their thirty hours.

Seminars

Along with CMA while graduating, attending a seminar to complete the thirty hours of CPE requirement is quite an easy task. In this way, the candidates can fulfill two purposes, i.e., networking and completing credit hours. Professional seminars are held for CMAs that include qualified speakers communicating on varied subjects.

A choice is given to the candidates regarding the seminars they wish to attend. In this way, the candidates can prioritize how they want to earn their credit hours.

Conventions

There are many online methods, like conventions, webinars, and workshops, that candidates use to complete their credit hours. The best thing about these online workshops and webinars is that they are available and easily accessible. They cover the appropriate material required. This is one of the easiest ways to earn credits while being at your office or home.

Miscellaneous Methods

There are some non-conventional ways, apart from CMA, while graduating to earn CPE hours. Here's how you can do it:!

Listening speeches
Attending pre-recorded sessions
Home study certification courses
Debates and discussions
Participating in several case studies
Technical meetings

Candidates must make sure to gain the approval of IMA before beginning to work on any topic. If the candidates have selected the IMA-approved topics, then it's fine, otherwise, they will need approval.

Keeping Track of CMA CPE Hours

Apart from CMA while graduation and the ways mentioned above, there are certain ways as well to earn the CPE credit hours. IMA offers the US CMA certification course and is quite flexible and supportive in its approach.

Some of the ways like attending webinars, speeches, workshops, etc., have already been mentioned above. To stay on track, CMAs now require attendance documents and certificates to progress toward achieving credit hours.

It is suggested to keep the documents ready for the three years of the course. It is better to create a folder and keep all the important information in it for the first five years.

IMA awards ten CPE credits for every hour. Thus, 40 hours are provided for every exam. Keep in mind that they are not CPE hours. They are beneficial if you are taking some other certification course apart from CMA while graduating.

The requirement for the CPE credit hours does not begin until you have earned the CMA credential in the calendar year. For instance, if a candidate has earned theCMA credential in November 2024, then the CPE requirements will not begin until the calendar year 2025.

What happens when a candidate doesnt complete the CPE hours for CMA USA Course?

There are instances where the candidate is not able to maintain and complete thirty CPE hours for CMA while graduating over 1-3 years. But don't panic!

To avoid getting into this situation, it is essential to have a good standing with IMA. If a candidate hasn't completed the credit hours, then he/ she can fulfill the requirement by working for sixty hours for two years to earn the credit.

The shortfalls of the first years must be completed and taken care of in the following year. Remember that if the required CPE credit hours are fulfilled, then the candidate's account will be disabled.

Carrying Forward the Extra Credit Hours

Earlier we looked at what you can do if you don't have the apt number of CPE credit hours. Now, let us talk about what to do if you have achieved more than the required CPE credit hours for CMA while graduation.

Once you have earned more CPE credits, there's no doubt that you are an overachiever. By achieving more CPE credit hours, the candidates can carry forward ten extra hours to the following year.

If you are also one who wishes to strategize beyond your time, then this is a good option to save your time. Remember, only ten hours can be carried to the next year!

CPE seems to be a daunting and never-ending task. But when you look at it as a possible opportunity to boost your career and knowledge, then it becomes motivating to take up the course and complete it.

What Courses Must be Taken for CMA CPE?

To get the credits you need, various CMA courses are available. The courses under CMA certification are tailor-made and address the practices and concepts used by CMAs. Here are the best courses for CMA:

CMA USA

CMA USA by NorthStar Academy is one of the best courses available for CMA. The experience and ethical training provided to the candidates alongside CMA during graduation can help them gain CPE credits. Their approach is quite supportive and flexible. They have been working for the past 50 years, providing professional credentials to the candidates.

ACCA CPE Credits

The ACCA provides you with professional training. The CMA certification course helps you provide the necessary CPE credits required to complete the course.

FRM

Financial Risk Manager, i.e., FRM, comes under the CMA certification course. The course is practice-oriented and provides real-world experience to the candidates. Managing and working on risk-related issues can help you gain thirty CPE credits each year.

Conclusion

Completing the CMA USA certification is a crucial step for professionals aiming to excel in management accounting. By fulfilling the experience requirements, passing the rigorous exam, and staying up-to-date with continuing education credits, you'll be well-positioned for career growth.

NorthStar Academy's expert coaching combines flexible learning with practical insights, helping you prepare effectively for the CMA exam and achieve long-term professional success. Start your journey with us today and take the next step toward becoming a Certified Management Accountant!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do CMA while graduation?

Yes, you can! If you have passed the senior secondary education exams or Intermediate of ICAI, then you can apply for the CMA course. CMA while graduation can be done, thereby helping you in the long run.

Is it worth doing CMA after graduation?

Yes, the CMA course can also be done after graduation. After you have completed the graduation in any other discipline, you can apply for the course. This certification course can boost your career and is a great option for future opportunities.

Can I do CMA after B.Com?

Yes, you can! CMA is a comprehensive certification course that can be pursued along with B.Com. The passing rate is 72% which needs to be acquired by the candidate.

How many years is CMA after graduation?

CMA USA after graduation is a one-year certification. The prerequisites include graduation along with work experience.

Is CMA a Bachelors Degree?

No, CMA is not a bachelors degree, it is a professional certification. But you require a bachelors degree in order to become a CMA. The final year student can pursue CMA along with the work experience of two years.