Is CMA USA the Best Course for Accounting Students?

The constantly evolving finance and accounting landscape demands expert professionals with advanced practical skills and knowledge. Employers today prefer professionals who have completed globally recognised courses like the ACCA courses, CPA US courses and Enrolled Agent courses. The US Certified Management Accountant course is one of the best among these courses. It is the top choice in the management accounting domain worldwide. But what makes the CMA USA course the most in-demand in this field? Continue reading this blog to know and learn how to become a CMA.

What is the CMA USA Certification?

The CMA USA course is globally recognised and focuses on advanced concepts of management accounting and financial management. This short-term certification offered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) based in the USA, helps meet your career goals.

 

More than 150 countries in the world recognise the US CMA certification. This course follows a curriculum that aligns with the information and abilities a finance professional must possess to work in the present business environment. It allows you to develop analytics, control, decision support and strategic planning skills. 

 

CMA Qualification and Eligibility

Unlike the traditional graduation and post-graduation programmes, the CMA USA course does not require years to complete. You must fulfil the following requirements to earn the CMA certification: 

• A bachelor's degree

  
  

• Two-year work history in the finance or accounting sectors

US CMA Course Details and Benefits

The CMA US programme is becoming increasingly popular among financial accounting and cost management students and employers. Here are some of the most significant advantages of the CMA US certification: 

• Be in Demand: Getting a CMA USA certification will make you stand out in the industry. This is mainly because the curriculum of this course keeps up with industry trends. Top employers and recruiters understand that this accreditation is not just an ordinary addition to your achievements. Instead, it allows you to gain expert skills and knowledge that empower you to contribute to your company’s success strategically. As a result, this certification enhances your employability globally.
  

• Earn More: The expertise you gain from the course results in a higher CMA salary package. A survey by IMA in 2023 reported that a US CMA earns a 21% higher median annual salary than their non-certified peers. The survey also suggested that 83% of CMAs agree that this certification boosted their professional confidence.
  

• Global Recognition: The US CMA course is perfect for accounting aspirants seeking career opportunities in the international accounting industry. It allows you to apply for jobs in more than 150 countries worldwide, including leading nations like the USA, UK, UAE, India, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, China and Australia. It helps you pursue high-level positions at multinational companies and other leading organisations.
  

• Powerful Network: IMA is recognised globally and has a widespread network. The CMA certification is recognised in over 150 countries, with a network of about 140,000 finance and management accounting professionals. Earning this certification allows you to join this powerful network, resulting in better career opportunities.
  

CMA USA Syllabus and Exam Structure

The CMA US exam is divided into two parts, which are:

CMA Part I: Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics

1. External Financial Reporting Decisions
   

2. Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting
   

3. Performance Management

4. Cost Management

5. Internal Controls
   

6. Technology and Analytics

CMA Part II: Strategic Financial Management

1. Financial Statement Analysis

2. Corporate Finance

3. Decision Analysis

4. Risk Management

5. Investment Decision

6. Professional Ethics
   

You must pass both parts of the CMA USA exam to earn your CMA certification. Each part has 100 multiple-choice questions and two essays with 5-6 questions based on each.

Career Opportunities After CMA USA

The CMA US course offers the following career opportunities.

• Budget Analyst
  

• Cost Controller
  

• Cost Accountant
  

• Financial Analyst

• Staff Accountant
  

• Treasurer
  

• Chief Financial Officer
  

• Internal Auditor
  

CMA Certification and Industry Demand

Worldwide, US CMAs are in high demand in various industries. You can advance in your career in the following fields:

• IT and Technology
  

• Manufacturing
  

• Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI)
  

• Consulting Firms
  

• Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals

CMA USA Exam Details and Testing Window

The USA CMA exam has two parts; you get four hours each. For 100 MCQs, you get 3 hours; the remaining hour is to solve two essay-type questions. However, you must correctly answer at least 50% of the MCQs to move to the essay-type questions. You cannot return to the previous section once you proceed to the second one. Your results are released within 6 weeks of your exam window, and you must score 360 out of 500 to pass each part.

The CMA exam testing windows for 2025 are as follows:

Exam Window	Registration Deadline
January 1 to February 28	February 15
May 1 to June 30	June 15
September 1 to October 31	October 15

How to Enrol in the CMA USA Exam

You can register for the US CMA exam by following the steps below: 

• Become an IMA member by registering on the official website of the institute.
  

• Pay the CMA entrance and exam registration fees after completing the Membership application form.
  

• After successful registration, you will receive an authorisation number in your email, which is essential to scheduling your exam appointment with Prometric.
  

• Schedule your test date and time at a Prometric testing centre.

CMA USA vs CMA India – Key Differences

There are a few differences between CMA USA vs CMA India, like:

Differentiation Aspect	US CMA programme	CMA India course
Governing Body	Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)	Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI)
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree + 2 years relevant work experience	Class 12 for Foundation level Bachelor’s degree for Intermediate level
Exam Structure	2 parts	3 levels
Syllabus Focus	Financial planning, analysis, control, and decision support	3 levels, typically takes 3-4 years to complete
Course Duration & Commitment	2 parts, can be completed within 6-12 months	3 levels, typically takes 3-4 years to complete
Global Recognition	Globally recognised	Recognised in India mainly and nearby countries

Is CMA USA the Right Choice for You?

If you want to enter the global accounting industry and build a successful life as a financial professional, choosing the CMA USA course is the right option. This certification offers you everything you need for a rewarding career in finance and management, from the best career prospects to earning opportunities. CMAs are highly sought after for their expertise in financial management.

Conclusion

The CMA USA programme is a globally recognised course by the IMA and aligns with your career aspirations if you want to work in the accounting field. It opens the door to various career opportunities in the international job market.

Consider starting the CMA USA exam preparation with NorthStar Academy. The institute offers the best US CMA courses. Enrol in our CMA USA programme to learn under the guidance of experts like M Irfat Sir, who has helped thousands of students. We offer online classes with live interaction, self-learning classes and traditional classroom training to better suit your needs. We also provide end-to-end support, from study materials to placement assistance.