USA CMA Course: Eligibility, Fees, Syllabus, Salaries

The USA CMA (Certified Management Accountant) course is a prestigious program for finance professionals looking to boost their careers in management accounting and financial management. To earn this certification, candidates must meet certain eligibility criteria, complete a structured syllabus, and pay the required fees. The USA CMA credential enhances career prospects with higher salaries and opportunities for advancement in various industries. 

In this blog, We will explain the USA CMA Course: Eligibility, Fees, Syllabus, and Salaries for students who want to study in the US and continue to read more.  

What is CMA? 

CMA stands for Certified Management Accountant. It’s a professional certification offered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) in the United States. The CMA designation signifies expertise in financial management and strategy. It includes financial planning, analysis, control, decision support, and professional ethics.  

To earn the CMA credential, candidates must meet educational and experience requirements, pass a rigorous two-part exam, and adhere to a code of professional ethics.  

The two parts of the CMA exam are:

Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics 

Part 2: Strategic Financial Management 

The CMA certification is recognized globally and particularly valued in corporate finance and management accounting. 

Key Takeaways 

• Better Salary: The average CMA salary is around INR 67,00,000 ($80,000), especially in major global cities. 
• High Success Rates: The CMA exam success rate is 45-50%, compared to 15-20% in India. 
• Short Duration: Complete the CMA USA course in 1-3 years, faster than other national certifications. 
• Global Opportunities: CMA certification is globally recognized, allowing you to work in any country. 
• Diverse Career Paths: Open to roles like accountant, budget analyst, financial analyst, auditor, and CFO. 

Master the 12 Essential Skills as a CMA 

Becoming a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) requires mastering a diverse set of skills. Here are the 12 essential areas you need to focus on to excel in your CMA journey: 

• Analytics 
• Financial Reporting 
• Accounting 
• Planning 
• Corporate Finance 
• Budgeting 
• Performance Management 
• Forecasting 
• Financial Statement Analysis 
• Cost Management 
• Technology 
• Risk Management 

About the US CMA Course 

• Top Placement Opportunities 
• CTC of 7.5 to 10 LPA for Freshers 
• Globally Recognized Certification 
• High Return on Investment 
• Sustainable Career Growth 
• Become a CMA in 6-8 Months 

US CMA Course Syllabus 

Below are the US CMA course syllabus for the students: 

Part 1:

CMA USA course emphasises external financial reporting decisions and management accounting techniques. It covers key areas including financial statements, budgeting, performance management, cost management, internal controls, and technology integration. 

Below is a detailed topic breakdown and weightage for Part 1 of the syllabus. 

Part 2:  

CMA USA course exam delves into advanced topics such as financial analysis, corporate finance, decision-making, risk management, investment evaluation, and professional ethics. It assesses candidates’ proficiency in these crucial areas. 

Here is a detailed topic breakdown and weightage for the Part 2 syllabus. 

CMA USA Curriculum 

The CMA USA curriculum has two levels, each consisting of multiple examinations covering various dynamic subjects related to accounting, management, and more. 

PART 1: 

External Financial Reporting Decisions 

• Understand financial conditions and predict future financial status. 
• Learn accounting principles, tax principles, financial summaries, statements, disclosures, and financial reporting skills. 
• Analyse financial data and create meaningful reports for business. 

Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting 

• Gain practical business skills in planning and budgeting. 
• Learn budgeting concepts, methodologies, financial projections, and cash flow analysis. 
• Master strategic planning and resource allocation. 

Performance Management 

• Optimise business performance through performance management processes. 
• Learn cost and variance measures, performance measures, and profitability analysis. 
• Prepare balanced scorecards and design KPIs. 

Cost Management 

• Efficiently manage costs and transactions. 
• Understand cost estimation, expense control, costing systems, and cost behaviour. 
• Learn supply chain management, lean management techniques, ERP, and value resource planning. 

Internal Controls 

• Master financial, cost, risk controls, compliance, audits, and governance. 
• Learn to build effective internal controls and governance systems. 
• Understand the importance of internal/external audits and controls. 

Technology and Analytics 

• Leverage technology and data analytics for international accounting practices. 
• Gain skills in data analytics and using technology to enhance business practices. 
• Learn to merge past reports with risk analysis for better predictions. 

PART 2

Financial Statement Analysis 

• Begin with basics and advance to complex financial statement analysis. 
• Learn revenue analysis, income measurement, and variation analysis. 
• Understand the impact of inflation, accounting standards changes, prices, and foreign operations. 

Corporate Finance 

• Learn the rationale behind financial reports and analysis. 
• Master capital raising, valuation, financing options, cash management, and managing accounts. 
• Study mergers, acquisitions, corporate restructuring, and international finance. 

Decision Analysis 

• Analyse the impact of decisions on volume, budget, and financial condition. 
• Learn cost-volume-profit analysis, break-even analysis, and marginal analysis. 
• Master product pricing, life cycle understanding, and making sound financial decisions. 

Risk Management 

• Understand and manage various financial risks. 
• Learn risk management strategies for practical scenarios. 
• Identify, manage, and mitigate market, credit, and financing risks. 

Investment Decisions 

• Present investment information clearly and effectively. 
• Learn the time value of money, financial math, and building investment plans. 
• Analyse investment decisions, track investments and make informed investment choices. 

Professional Ethics 

• Develop professional ethics and values. 
• Learn the IMA’s statement of ethical professional practice. 
• Uphold the highest standards in management accounting and finance. 

Career Opportunities After CMA 

CMA-certified professionals enjoy faster career growth, higher earnings, and prestigious roles like: 

• Management Accountant 
• Cost Accountant 
• Treasurer 
• Finance Controller 
• Head of Finance 
• Cost Controller  
• Chied Internal Auditor 
• Certified Managment Accountant  

Note: These salaries are not accurate, it might change. 

Top Recruiters for CMAs in the USA 

These are the top recruiters for CMAs in the USA:  

• Boeing 
• JP Morgan 
• BCG 
• Deloitte 
• EY 
• Bank of America 
• PwC 
• Bain & Co 
• KPMG 

Explore job opportunities with these leading companies, both in the USA and internationally, based on your interests and career goals. 

CMA USA Course: Eligibility Criteria 

The Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification is a distinguished program from Charted Accounting, ACCA, CFA and CS that showcases your expertise in international finance management.  

Before starting your journey, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) requirements.  

Consider these criteria as essential milestones on your journey to becoming a CMA: 

Note: If you’re pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you can take the CMA exam but must complete your degree before the final certification. Consider enrolling in a full-time bachelor’s program and obtaining a F1 visa for the USA. 

What is the US CMA course fees in India?

The overall US CMA course fees would be anywhere between INR 1,65,000 to INR 1,80,000. The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) has dynamic fees structure for professionals and students pursuing the Certified Management Accountant (CMA). 

Below is a table which outlines the US CMA course fees to help you plan your path to this professional certification. 

CMA Scholarships in the USA 

CMA Scholarships can cover the entire CMA course cost. Till date, 20,000 scholarships have been awarded globally, with nearly USD 35 million invested. 

Eligibility 

• High achievers (undergraduate to PhD) from accredited institutions. 
• Up to 10 students per school per academic year can be nominated. 
• Nominations must come from professors; students cannot self-nominate. 

How to Apply for the CMA in the USA 

Below are the steps which will help you to apply for the CMA in the USA:  

Step 1: Check Eligibility: Verify academic and professional requirements and explore scholarship options. 

Step 2: Join IMA: Register as a member on the IMA official website. 

Step 3: Enroll as a CMA Candidate: After membership, enroll for the CMA. 

Step 4: Register for Exams: Pay the fees and register for Part 1 or Part 2. Schedule your exam at a Prometric center upon authorisation from ICMA. 

Note: You can reschedule within the same testing window. Cancellations within 30 days incur a fee; no refund for cancellations within 72 hours. 

Get Started with Your CMA Exam at Shuraa 

Excited to begin your CMA journey? Shuraa Education is here to make the process smooth and straightforward. Whether you need information on exam dates, help with registration, or answers to your questions, our overseas experts are ready to assist you. 

Reach out to us today at +91 931 9998925 or email info@shuraaeducation.com. We’ll provide you with all the support you need to achieve your CMA certification and take your career to the next level. Let’s get started on your path to becoming a Certified Management Accountant today!