CMA in the USA: Universities, Costs & Housing Made Simple

Are you pondering opportunities to uplift your career in management accounting and finance? If you want to be a part of the world’s top companies, pursuing a CMA in US may be the key to your success. 

Certified Management Accountant certification is recognized in over 150+ countries. CMA plays a crucial role in advancing the corporate ladder, providing exposure to prestigious roles, changing career paths, higher salaries, and leadership opportunities in finance and accounting. 

But where do you start? What are the eligibility requirements, costs, top universities, CMA USA scholarship opportunities, and career prospects? We’re here to clarify all your questions regarding Certified Management Accountant certification. 

Reasons to Pursue a CMA in USA

Certified Management Accountant certification in the USA improves your potential to unlock several high-paying job opportunities. Let’s take you through the professional advantages that you get once you complete this accounting and finance certification. 

• Globally Acclaimed Course: It is a valuable credential for international career opportunities and is highly preferred by multinational corporations, financial institutions, and Fortune 500 companies.
• Career Advancement: You bring in skills and strategies, enhanced decision-making skills, and opportunities for leadership positions in an organization.
• Higher Earning Potential: CMAs earn 21% more median total compensation than non-certified professionals. Therefore, you increase your chances for higher salaries, bonuses, and promotions.
• Professional Development and Networking: You get access to IMA’s vast network of 140,000+ members worldwide. The certificate offers exclusive training programs, webinars, and career resources.
• Flexibility and Versatility: The course is suitable across all industries, from banking to technology; the CMA in USA is ideal if you wish to shift into finance or accounting, business consulting, and corporate management.

CMA USA Eligibility

Before registering, you must acquaint yourself with the  CMA USA eligibility criteria for the certification. 

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
• AICE or NACES must evaluate non-accredited degrees.

Professional Experience 

• Two years of continuous job experience in management accounting or financial management is among the important CMA USA requirements.
• Experience can be completed before or within 7 years of passing the CMA exam.
• Teaching qualifies if full-time and at least 60% of courses are in accounting or finance (beyond the introductory level) for two years.
• Two years of part-time work (at least 20 hours per week) or one year of full-time experience.
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How to Register for CMA in USA?

To attain Certified Management Accountant certification, ensure these CMA USA requirements are fulfilled to begin your journey:

• Become an IMA Member: Visit the IMA Official Website.
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• Choose a Membership Type: Student membership is offered for current university students, and professional membership is offered for working professionals. Complete the application and pay the fees.
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• Pay the CMA USA Course Fees: After becoming an IMA member, you must enrol in the CMA programme by paying the CMA entrance fee. Student fees are $210, whereas professional fees is $280. This one-time fee grants access to CMA study resources and exam registration.
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• Register for the CMA Exam: Log in to your IMA account and select the CMA exam registration option. Register for Part 1 and/or Part 2 of the CMA exam. Pay the exam fees, which are $345 per part for students and $460 per part for professionals.
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• Schedule Your Exam with Prometric: After registration, schedule your exam at a Prometric Testing Center. Select the preferred exam date, location, and test center availability or online proctoring option.

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CMA USA Course Fees

The CMA USA course fees depend on the membership type: student or professional. College students are provided additional discounts. Here’s a breakdown of the fee structure:

While the CMA entrance fee is non-refundable, the examination fee is refunded within 30 days of purchasing the test. A $25 processing fee will be deducted in such scenarios from the CMA USA certification fees. 

CMA in USA Exam Dates 2025

The CMA USA exam is held thrice every year. The test window dates are given below: 

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CMA Exam Structure

Before you sit for the CMA in USA, you should acquaint yourself with the exam structure. It is mandatory to sit for both parts of the examination. 

This structured format ensures that your technical knowledge and practical application skills in management accounting and financial decision-making are tested. Top universities for CMA USA provide exam success and support. 

You get three hours to complete the MCQs and one hour for two essay questions, that is 30 minutes each. Once you exit the MCQ section, you cannot return to it. Essays include 10-12 written responses or calculation-based questions based on two business scenarios.

CMA USA Exam Curriculum

The CMA exam tests competencies in over 12 areas covering management accounting and financial management. Check out the detailed weightage of each part:

Exam Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics

1. External Financial Reporting Decisions: 15%

2. Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting: 20%

3. Performance Management: 20%

4. Cost Management: 15%

5. Internal Controls: 15%

6. Technology and Analytics: 15% 

Exam Part 2: Strategic Financial Management

1. Financial Statement Analysis: 20%
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2. Corporate Finance: 20% 
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3. Business Decision Analysis: 25% 
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4. Enterprise Risk Management: 10%
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5. Capital Investment Decisions: 10% 
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6. Professional Ethics: 15%

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IMA Scholarships for CMA in USA

IMA offers top scholarships for Indian students to study the Certified Management Accountant course. If you are a student at an IMA-Endorsed School, you could be one of 10 students nominated for the IMA Student Scholarship each year. 

From the IMA Partner School, up to 3 students can be nominated annually. The scholarship benefits that you get are:

• 2 years of IMA Student membership.
• Free CMA entrance fee (must attempt at least one part within 12 months and pass both within 24 months)
• Free exam fees for Part 1 and Part 2 (each can be used only once).

How to Apply for a CMA in USA Scholarship?

The nomination for the CMA USA scholarship opportunities opens from September 1 to June 30 every academic year. Here is the application procedure:

• Create an IMA account before nomination.
• A professor must submit the nomination on your behalf.
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CMA USA Accommodation for Students

Pursuing a CMA involves not only exam fees and registration fees but also living expenses, depending on location, lifestyle, and student accommodation in USA. Accommodation is a significant part of your budget, and here are the various options of CMA USA student housing: 

CMA USA Career Prospects and Salary

As per the IMA US salary survey 2023, the average base salary for IMA members is approximately $133,000, with a median salary of $122,000. When factoring in bonuses and other compensation, the average total compensation rises to around $158,000, with a median of $135,000. 

One of the easiest ways to change your career path is by pursuing a CMA in USA. Some of the top career roles after a Certified Management Accountant USA are: