US CMA course qualification is the certification that is made available to candidates by Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), USA. It covers the foundation of finance, strategy, and advanced accounting, so it’s good for students who want to work for a multinational corporation, a major accounting firm, or as financial consultants. The US CMA program consists of two exam parts which focus on financial planning, analysis, control, and decision support, as well as professional ethics. Focused on real-world corporate finance and business strategy, by obtaining the US CMA designation, you can also unlock high-paying positions such as financial analyst, Cost Accountant, Budget Manager, and CFO particularly for Indian students who are seeking to build international careers.
What is a US CMA Course?
The US CMA program is an applied learning experience that also gives a big-picture view of business. It provides you with experience in planning, control, analysis and decision-making. It’s accepted in more than 100 countries. Certified Management Accountant (CMA). The CMA certification is administered by The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), USA. The US based CMA certification is highly sought after in India and other English speaking countries like UAE, US, Canada, etc.
Key Features of US CMA
- Duration: 12 to 18 months
- Levels: Two levels (Part 1 and Part 2)
- Eligibility: 12th Pass + Graduation (Graduation can be in process as well)
- Examination: Two exams of 4 hours duration each
- Source: Institute of Management Accountants, (IMA), USA
In this course, you learn the skills to handle your company’s finances, create intelligent budgets and play a key role in business planning. So not just bookkeeping but actual business decisions here.
US CMA Course Qualification: Academic Requirements
The US CMA course can be commenced only by student who fulfils the prerequisites. The most amazing thing about the course is that students can pursue it even before graduation.
| Requirement | Details |
| Minimum Qualification | 12th pass (from any recognized board) |
| Graduation Requirement | Bachelor’s degree (in any stream) |
| Final Certificate Grant | Only after graduation + work experience |
The CMA USA course qualification also permits students to register for the course within the college life. But to acquire certification of CMA, you need to complete your degree and submit the documents to IMA within 7 years of passing the exam.
CMA Course Eligibility
US CMA requirements are aimed at candidates that possess the appropriate educational background and professional attitude to facilitate their success in a career in management accounting. If you want to become a Certified Management Accountant through the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), there are educational and experience requirements you must meet.
| Criteria | Details |
| Education Qualification | Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or equivalent (degree can be in any stream). |
| Professional Experience | Minimum two years of continuous work experience in management accounting or financial management. |
| Membership Requirement | Active membership with the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), USA. |
| Exam Qualification | Pass both parts of the US CMA Exam (Part 1 and Part 2). |
| Age Limit | No age limit for applying for the US CMA course. |
If your objective is to work internationally or in MNC, take US CMA course qualification.
US CMA Course Duration
The duration of US CMA course has no specified time frame, but in generality it spans from 6 months to 3 years. The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) gives a window of three years from the date of registration to finish the US CMA certification. For the candidates pursuing CMA from India, who can manage to follow their study plan consistently, average is around 12 to 18 months to clear CMA, making it a fast route to an international professional certification in comparison to other international certifications. Pre-planning and scheduling is the key to completing the US CMA course in the desired span of time.
| Course | Details |
| Minimum Duration | 6 to 9 |
| Average Duration | 12 to 18 |
| Course Validity | Exam must be completed within 3 years, or re-registration is required |
US CMA Course Fees and Exam Costs
It is important to be aware of the CMA USA course fees and exam fees before you begin your CMA journey. The sum of this includes both IMA membership and entrance and exam fees. The knowledge of such stuff helps the Indian aspirants to budget themselves accordingly.
| Component | Student Membership | Professional Membership |
| IMA Membership | $45 | $295 |
| Entrance Fee | $210 | $300 |
| Exam Fee (Part 1 & 2) | $370 x 2 = $740 | $495 x 2 = $990 |
| Total | $995 | $1585 |
US CMA Course Qualification: Work Experience Requirement
Students must complete a work experience requirement in addition to passing the exams. That shows that the student is able to apply the knowledge even in the real business world.
Work Requirement Details
- Minimum time to complete: 2 years (full time)
- Accepted Positions: Cost Accountant, Budget Analyst, Finance Manager, Internal Auditor, etc.
- Time: Completion within seven years after passing exams is required
- Prior/After Examination: Practice before or after examination period
The same rule applies to CMA cost and management accountant course qualification; it requires work experience too, that is to say, you have practical knowledge.
CMA USA Course Qualification vs Indian CMA Course
A lot of students want to know the difference between the CMA USA course qualification and the Indian CMA (ICMAI) course. US CMA is more inclined toward International Financial Practice where Indian CMA more inclined toward home country industries and laws. If you want to pursue your careers abroad or in MNCs, then the qualification of the US CMA course is better.
| Feature | US CMA | Indian CMA |
| Conducting Body | IMA (USA) | ICMAI (India) |
| Duration | 1 to 1.5 years | 3-4 Years |
| Levels | 2 Parts | Foundation, Inter, Final |
| Recognition | Global | Mainly India |
| Focus | Management Accounting | Cost accounting |
| Exams | MCQ + Essay (Computer-based) | Descriptive & Practical Exams |
CMA Course Curriculum and Syllabus
CMA syllabus is built to help the students develop strong base of financial and accounting management. It includes important concepts such as budgeting, costing, and financial analysis. From CMA USA course qualification to CMA cost and management accountant course qualifications, both are a subject-wise course that equips you with the skills to work in the business world.
Part 1 CMA: Financial Planning, Performance, and Control
Part 1 of the CMA exam, Financial Planning, Performance and Control tests on the following key topics. Financial statement analysis – basic techniques including liquidity, inventory, long-lived assets, earnings recognition, and taxes. It concentrates on training for budgeting, cost control, performance evaluation, and internal control. This area is of key interest for students who wish to succeed in a career in global financial planning and performance management.
- Outside Financial Reporting Decisions
- Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting
- Performance Management
- Cost Management
- Internal Controls
- Technology and Analytics
| Topic | Weightage |
| Outside Financial Reporting Decisions | 15% |
| Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting | 20% |
| Performance Management | 20% |
| Cost Management | 15% |
| Internal Controls | 15% |
| Technology and Analytics | 15% |
Part 2 CMA: Strategic Financial Management
The second part of the CMA exam addresses more advanced financial concepts and decision-making processes in preparation for leadership positions. It discusses themes including: financial statement analysis, corporate finance, risk management and investment decision making. Yes success in this part makes students able to manage global organizations high financial responsibilities.
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Corporate Finance
- Decision Analysis
- Risk Management
- Investment Decisions
- Professional Ethics
| Topic | Weightage |
| Financial Statement Analysis | 20% |
| Corporate Finance | 20% |
| Decision Analysis | 25% |
| Risk Management | 10% |
| Investment Decisions | 10% |
| Professional Ethics | 15% |
Both papers are 4-hour exams: 100 MCQs and 2 Essay. You must earn a minimum of 360 out of 500 points on each part to pass.
Career Scope After US CMA Qualification
Once your US CMA course qualification is done, numerous job opportunities come up in India as well as abroad. The career prospects after US CMA in India are broad for the Indian candidates. It is a gateway to lucrative jobs in finance, accounting and management at global companies and leading MNCs.
Popular Job Roles
- Financial Analyst
- Cost Accountant
- Budget Analyst
- Internal Auditor
- Finance Manager
- Corporate Controller
- Management Accountant
Hiring Companies
- Accenture
- Deloitte
- EY
- Amazon
- Capgemini
- Wipro
- KPMG
- Infosys
- Tata Consultancy
You can do IT, banking, manufacturing, FMCG or even start-ups. A lot of organizations prefer CMA USA qualified professionals.
CMA Course Qualification FAQs
1. Who is eligible for the CMA exam?
If you have completed your 12th from a recognized board and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree or has already finished it, you can go for the CMA USA exam.
2. Can I go for CMA after 12th?
Yes, you can join CMA USA after 12th, But for the final certification, you need to complete your graduation.
3. What is CMA in salary?
In India, salary of a fresher CMA may be between ₹6- ₹10 LPA whereas that of a experienced professionals may be above to ₹20 LPA in good companies.
4. Is CMA better than CA?
CMA is a shorter and more generic course, more global in nature, CA is a longer course and more India centric, CMA can be better if you are looking for global roles.
5. Which CMA is best?
CMA USA is for people looking for international career; Indian CMA is suitable for Govt Articles/ Indian industry- oriented jobs.
