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A Certified Management Accountant (CMA) is an accounting specialist who works for businesses to inform their financial procedures and decisions. Many people begin working as an accountant and even obtain their Certified Public Accountant designation before becoming a CMA. Certified Management Accountants can command fairly high salaries, averaging between $70,000 and $95,000, and they can work abroad with their management accounting certification. In order to work as a CMA you will need highly specialized education and work experience, as well as a passing score on the CMA certification exam. Find out how to become a Certified Management Accountant.

Method 1 of 2: CMA Preparation

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Obtain a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or economics. Make sure your program includes an emphasis on business studies, such business law, management, marketing and taxation. Many people who are interested in working in the business finance world pursue a double major in business and finance, or they get a minor in business administration.

• Even if you are unsure whether you want to become a CMA or a CPA, both pathways require that you take at least 24 hours of business related education in addition to your accounting courses.

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How to Become a Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

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Two Methods:CMA PreparationCMA Certification

A Certified Management Accountant (CMA) is an accounting specialist who works for businesses to inform their financial procedures and decisions. Many people begin working as an accountant and even obtain their Certified Public Accountant designation before becoming a CMA. Certified Management Accountants can command fairly high salaries, averaging between $70,000 and $95,000, and they can work abroad with their management accounting certification. In order to work as a CMA you will need highly specialized education and work experience, as well as a passing score on the CMA certification exam. Find out how to become a Certified Management Accountant.

Method 1 of 2: CMA Preparation

1. 
   1
   Obtain a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or economics. Make sure your program includes an emphasis on business studies, such business law, management, marketing and taxation. Many people who are interested in working in the business finance world pursue a double major in business and finance, or they get a minor in business administration.
   • Even if you are unsure whether you want to become a CMA or a CPA, both pathways require that you take at least 24 hours of business related education in addition to your accounting courses.
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   Apply for internships while on summer vacation or during the school year. Accounting or finance internships give you real world experience and help you to network, a skill necessary when seeking any business position.
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   Apply for membership in the Institute of Management Accountants at IMAnet.org. Depending upon your level of membership, this yearly membership can cost between $40 and $200. Membership in this professional organization gives you access to exam preparation, employment boards and continuing education courses.
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   Apply for a full-time job as a financial manager or a management accounting. In order to receive your certification, you will have to prove that you worked for 2 continuous years in these fields, and worked with business accounting skills such as auditing, budget preparation and business accounting on a day to day basis.
   • You can complete this 2-year work experience after you take the exam as well. Once you are a CMA candidate, you have 7 years to submit proof of your financial management experience.

Method 2 of 2: CMA Certification

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   Apply for the 2-part CMA program at IMAnet.org. Pay $225 to become a candidate or $75 if you are a student and posses an IMA student membership. Once you apply and pay the fee online with a credit card, you will be eligible to take the exams within the next 3 years.
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   Consider taking a CMA exam prep course through your university or the Institute of Management Accountants. The IMA recommends that you dedicate at least 2 months of study to this exam.
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   Purchase a CMA exam test. You will need to purchase 1 test within the first year of purchasing the CMA program. Each test will cost $350.
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   Supply the required documentation to the Institute of Certified Management Accountants in order to be eligible to take the CMA exam. Once you have purchased an exam, they will review your records. You should obtain a copy of the CMA Handbook to review all requirements before sending them in.
   • Send the Institute of Certified Management Accountants a transcript proving that you completed a bachelor's degree with education in finance and business studies.
   • Download and complete an experience verification form. These are available on the IMFnet.org website. You will be required to list all of your management accounting work experience.
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   Take and pass your exams within 3 years of starting the program. The first part of the written test covers planning, budgeting, forecasting and Internet controls. The second part of the written exam covers risk management, corporate finance, investment decisions and decision analysis.
   • Both exams will include sections on professional ethics.
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   Begin working as a CMA once you have passed your exams and have been deemed eligible by the IMA. You will receive your certification. You will need to complete 30 hours of continuing education credits annually in order to maintain your certification.