US CMA vs M.Com: Choosing the Right Path for Your Accounting Career - CMA Course

US CMA vs M.Com: Choosing the Right Path for Your Accounting Career - CMA Course

The dynamic finance and accounting world presents a large pool of job opportunities. These opportunities must be attracting you. However, your traditional degrees will no longer be enough to acquire them. 

Conventional courses focus on enhancing your theoretical knowledge. But this is not enough to tackle the present business world. Theoretical knowledge is especially not enough when you wish to enter the global business world. It is where the advanced professional courses gain significance. These courses, like the US CMA, equip you with practical skills and knowledge. A thorough comparison between a professional and a traditional course can help you understand the importance of advanced courses. One such comparison is M.Com vs US CMA.

M.Com is a common post-graduation course. Numerous students pursue it. However, they still do not get the opportunities they expect. Why do employers not find this degree attractive? The main reason is a lack of practical skills in M.Com graduates. The US CMA certification course is your key to unlocking great global opportunities. You must go through a thorough comparison between M.Com vs US CMA to understand why US CMA is much more advantageous.

When deciding between M.Com vs. CMA, especially in the realm of accounting and finance, it's crucial to consider how each qualification aligns with your career goals. An M.Com program provides a comprehensive academic foundation in finance and accounting, while the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation focuses on practical skills and strategic financial management. For those aiming to work as management accountants, the CMA may be the best course to pursue, as it directly prepares you for roles that involve financial analysis and decision-making. Ultimately, both paths offer valuable career options, but the choice depends on whether you prefer a broader academic perspective or a specialized professional qualification.

This comprehensive post provides a thorough M.Com vs US CMA comparison for your better understanding. It will compare both courses based on various factors. However, it will first explain each of them in detail and list their pros and cons. So, start reading below to uncover the advantages of US CMA over M.Com.

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What is M.Com?

M.Com is a two-year Master's program in commerce. The degree covers various subjects, such as Accounting and Management. This course mainly aims to advance your understanding of the foundation subjects you study in B. Com. M. Com is not limited to accounting subjects. It is a general finance and accounting program. 

Pros

Advances Your Knowledge

M. Com equips you with extensive knowledge and provides advanced theoretical knowledge. The subjects included in this course are an advanced version of what you study in B. Com.

Career Opportunities

Another advantage of M. Com is that it introduces you to better opportunities. Completing a postgraduate course will offer better opportunities than a mere graduation course. 

Cons

Lack of Practical Knowledge

M. Com is mainly about theory. Unlike professional courses, it does not help you gain practical knowledge. This coursework mainly involves theoretical knowledge and research projects. 

Time Commitment

M. Com is a full-time course. You need to dedicate two years to the course. So, you cannot pursue it while working. 

What is the US CMA?

US CMA stands for Certified Management Accountant - USA. It is a professional and valuable course in management and accounting designations. This course is offered by the IMA. The US CMA course gets global recognition, and employers look forward to hiring US CMAs worldwide. It covers advanced accounting topics and primarily focuses on accounting. 

Pros

Advances Your Practical Knowledge and Skills

The US CMA course aims to provide you with practical skills and enhance your practical knowledge by introducing you to real-world scenarios. 

Short Duration Course

The US CMA is a short-term course. With NorthStar Academy’s comprehensive US CMA course, you can earn the qualification within 6 to 9 months. 

Global Job Opportunities

The US CMA course covers the global landscape. As a result, completing this course makes you a global expert. Such experts are in demand in the international job market. 

Cons

Difficulty Level

The difficulty level of US CMA is slightly higher than that of conventional theory courses. However, with dedication and the right guidance, you can easily tackle this challenge.

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US CMA vs M.Com

Below is a detailed comparison of the two courses based on varying aspects. 

M.Com Vs US CMA Eligibility

M.Com

  • B. Com or B. Com (Hons)

  • 50% aggregate in graduation

US CMA

  • Economics or Accounting Bachelor's degree 

  • Two-year work history in finance or accounting sectors

M.Com Vs US CMA Exam Syllabus

M.Com

M. Com has a comprehensive syllabus with the following subjects.

  • Advanced Financial Accounting

  • Managerial Economics

  • Advanced Cost Accounting

  • Human Resource Management

  • Advanced Management Accounting

  • International Business Environment

US CMA

The US CMA is a two-part exam. 

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

M.Com Vs US CMA Exam Cost

M.Com

M.Com cost is not fixed. It is different for every college. INR 50 thousand and INR 2 lakhs is the average cost range for M.Com per year.

US CMA

For professionals-

  • CMA Entrance Fee- $300

  • CMA Exam Fee- $495 per part

  • Membership- $295

For students- 

  • CMA Entrance Fee- $225

  • CMA Exam Fee- $370 per part

  • Student Membership- $49

  • Academic Membership- $160

(Membership fees do not contain processing and maintenance fees.)

M.Com Vs US CMA Job Opportunities

M.Com

  • Bank Manager

  • Chartered Accountant

  • Senior Accountant

  • Finance Executive

  • Business Analyst

  • Wealth Manager

  • Share Broker

  • Finance Manager

US CMA

  • Budget Analyst

  • Cost Controller

  • Cost Accountant

  • Financial Analyst

  • Staff Accountant

  • Treasurer

  • Chief Financial Officer

  • Internal auditor

M.Com Vs US CMA Scope

US CMA

US CMAs have attractive opportunities. This course engages candidates in several advanced concepts that enhance practical skills. The expertise of US CMAs is in high demand globally. Top companies, including the Big 4, hire these professionals and offer them high salary packages. 

M.Com

M.Com graduates are appreciated for their extensive knowledge and get better job opportunities than individuals with a mere graduation degree. 

M.Com Vs US CMA Exam Windows

M.Com

Several government colleges conduct entrance exams for M. Com. These exams are generally conducted in May and June every year.

US CMA

The US CMA exam has the following exam windows every year-

  • January and February

  • May and June

  • September and October

M.Com Vs US CMA Salary 

M.Com

M.Com graduates earn around INR 4 LPA in India. 

US CMA

The payscale for US CMAs is around: 

  • Freshers- Between INR 4 LPA and INR 6.6 LPA

  • Experienced Professionals- Around INR 8 LPA or more

M.Com Vs US CMA Course Duration

M.Com

You need to spend 2 years to complete this course.

US CMA

The US CMA is a short-duration professional programme. You can complete this course within 12 months with NorthStar Academy by your side. Hence, it is the best option to fast-track your career.

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In the End, which is the Better Career Path?

The dynamic accounting world offers several opportunities. But you need expertise to access these opportunities. Traditional courses like M. Com might not suffice. That is why you must opt for professional certification courses like the US CMA. It focuses especially on the accounting niche. As a result, you can become a global accounting expert with this program. 

The detailed M. Com vs US CMA comparison must have helped you understand why most individuals prefer US CMA over M. Com. So, do not wait any further and start preparing for this expert certification course. 

You might find it challenging to prepare for the US CMA course. However, enrolling in the expert preparation course for US CMA by NorthStar Academy can ease your journey. Our expert mentor, M Irfat Sir, is an accredited US CMA. He, along with other experienced teachers, offers the best-in-class training and guidance. Also, we provide the most comprehensive study materials to help you understand the topic in detail. Such efforts ensure you receive your US CMA certification within 6 to 9 months. So, enroll in our US CMA program today to move towards a better future. 

Contact us on WhatsApp to learn more about our US CMA course. 

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