Why Become a CMA: 5 Benefits to Your Accounting Career + Video

This versatility and forward-thinking approach ensure you remain indispensable in your career. The CMA certification safeguards against the uncertainties of a is cma worth it changing job market because the credential changes with the market. Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) regularly surveys current CFOs, controllers, and other accounting experts to identify the skills most vital for CMA success.

IMA Membership Fee (Required)

Becoming a CMA provides access to a vast network of professionals through the IMA. This network can be a valuable resource for career development, mentorship, and staying updated on industry trends. The 2025 CMA exam focuses on topics accounting experts have identified as non-negotiable for industry success. The new CMA exam centers on the expanding and emerging areas directly impacting business, accounting, finance, and technology in 2025. Glassdoor found that CMA certification allows for a 35% jump in salary over non-certified peers in 2025.

• A Glassdoor report from 2025 found that CMAs can expect a 35% salary increase compared to their non-certified counterparts, highlighting the financial benefits of obtaining the certification.
• The CMA exam consists of 2 parts, both of which every candidate must pass to become a certified CMA.
• This goes back to my point of looking for US-headquartered, manufacturing-based Fortune 500 companies in your area.
• Ella Langley ties for the most nominations this year with six, earning recognition across Single, Song, Female Vocalist, Musical Event, Music Video and New Artist of the Year.

The CMA is perfect for those looking for careers in management accounting, corporate finance, and strategic business leadership. This includes passing two parts of a rigorous exam plus meeting education and work experience requirements. The CMA diploma can increase job prospects, pay scale, and respect in the fields of finance and accounting. The US CMA is considered the gold standard in management accounting.

• He is nominated for Single of the Year as producer of Zach Top’s “I Never Lie,” mixed by Matt Rovey.
• The CMA certification is recognized internationally, making it ideal for professionals aiming to work with multinational organizations or secure roles in overseas offices.
• It’s kinda expensive, so I don’t want to make haste decisions.
• Glassdoor found that CMA certification allows for a 35% jump in salary over non-certified peers in 2025.
• Maybe all of this means the CMA sounds good, but that doesn’t guarantee it’s great for you.

The answer largely depends on your career goals, aspirations, and the industry you work in. In some cases, real-world experience and other certifications may hold equal weight in the eyes of employers. It’s crucial to speak with professionals in your field to gauge the importance of the CMA certification in your specific industry. To obtain the CMA certification, candidates must pass two rigorous exams and meet the education and work experience requirements. It is particularly beneficial for those pursuing careers in management accounting, corporate finance, or any role that requires strategic business leadership. As a CMA-certified professional, your certification sets the stage for long-term career advancement and leadership opportunities.

Continued Career Growth

The financial Investments required to pursue the US CMA can primarily be divided into 2 parts. One is the fees payable to IMA & the second part is the coaching fees payable to the Learning Provider. With a high ROI, candidates typically recover their complete investment of doing CMA within first six months of employment.

This guide provides an in-depth understanding of the CMA program, exam requirements, and preparation strategies to help you achieve the coveted CMA certification. If you’re ready to become a Certified Management Accountant, let’s dive in!. Proschool is one of the best coaching institutions for the US CMA course. If you want to pass your exams and understand the nuances of the finance industry, then sign up here.

Passing the CMA Exam

CMA course fees are often a significant consideration for potential candidates. The investment includes multiple components, each crucial for achieving certification. Therefore, if you aren’t only looking for accounting certifications, big global designations exist.

Holding the top title in the field is a big motivation for many people. As businesses navigate progressively interconnected markets, the universally transferrable skills of managing accountants are in worldwide demand. These players have an increasingly crucial role in addressing the complexities of cross-border operations, adapting to diverse regulations, and supporting international growth for industries. Global relevance is reshaping the accounting profession, requiring businesses to rely on the versatile skills and adaptability of CMA holders on an international scale. Secondly, the CMA is the most global management accounting certification. We will touch on this later, but it is the largest in the niche, next to CIMA, and the most available globally.

For more information about the CMA Awards, visit CMAawards.com. All balloting is tabulated by the professional services organization, Deloitte. I do not have an accounting degree, though I have taken accounting courses for credit after receiving my bachelors. But I think getting my CMA is worth it coz it’s like a good starter for my accounting journey even though it won’t be worth it. The subjects tested on the new CMA reflect the top priorities of the current global market by introducing new topics and removing outdated ones. The future of accounting is rapidly adjusting to advancements in environmental governance, artificial intelligence (AI), and global expansion.

It is also gaining new recognition in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. Yet, despite the challenges, the rewards often are worth any risks. A Forbes study conducted in 2025 revealed that CMAs who earned their certification were 76% more likely to be happy and develop their careers in two years. For everything, candidates should plan on spending $2,000 to $3,500. The expense incurred for CMA preparation may sound intimidating initially, but with time, you will realise the ultimate CMA certification advantages in terms of better salary and career enhancement. Knowing that the CMA value varies by country and industry, how can you know where to get the most value from your certification?

For example, Monster.com lists several jobs in New Jersey based on “certified management accountant.” You should be able to find more listings using a variety of keywords. Maintaining your CMA certification requires ongoing continuing education, ensuring that you stay current with evolving industry practices and regulations. This commitment to lifelong learning can be personally rewarding and professionally advantageous. Think of the CMA exam as a GPS system continuously improving to benefit you, the navigator.

Therefore, let’s dive deep into the CMA certification, what it takes to get it, and how it benefits your career growth. And if management accounting excites you, the CMA might just be the ticket to the career you want. The CMA exam consists of 2 parts, both of which every candidate must pass to become a certified CMA. A CMA works in various industries, including public accounting firms like the Big 4 (Deloitte, KPMG, EY, PwC), corporate services, nonprofit organizations, and more. As an accounting professional, there’s no limit to your career potential.

Again, this is why it is so important to know your needs and to do your research based on those needs. Just because it seems like everyone is hyping up a certification doesn’t mean it is best for you. You can start looking for jobs as soon as you plan to take the CMA exam. In fact, many candidates start looking for CMA jobs to plan for their futures and just to see what is available.

You are also a coveted candidate in finance, accounting, and consulting firms. He is nominated for Single of the Year as producer of Zach Top’s “I Never Lie,” mixed by Matt Rovey. In the Song of the Year category, he shares songwriting credit on “I Never Lie” with Top and Tim Nichols. Chamberlain is also recognized in Album of the Year as producer of Top’s Cold Beer & Country Music, mixed by Rovey.