CMA COACH - STUDY PLAN

CMA Exam
Study Plan
Its finally here! The CMA Exam study plan youve
been waiting for.
This plan is broken down week by week so you know
exactly what to focus on. Focus is so important in order to properly prepare for this rigorous exam.
Are you ready to propel your career & income
to new heights? Ill help you get there!

WRITTEN BY: NATHAN LIAO, CMA

About The Author

About the Author

Being a CMA has opened so many doors as a Corporate Controller

and entrepreneur. I havent only acquired advanced skills in accounting and finance, but also in business and strategy.
Im here to guide you through your exam preparations, and my wish
for you is to pass both exams on your first try just like I did.
I truly hope that this study plan will serve as your compass and provide you with clear direction and valuable information. You can kick
it to overdrive with 1-on-1 coaching but if you choose to self-study,
keep this close by and handy.
Heres to your successful exam preparation!
Thank you,

After 12 years in accounting, I chose to sit for the CMA exam to

advance my career and knowledge. I knew it was a challenge, so I
took a serious, methodical approach to preparing. I also was busyI
couldnt spend every spare minute studying like a crazy person, wor-

Author of CMA Coach

ried I wouldnt cover enough information.

Creator of the #1 Online CMA Prep Course CMA Exam Academy

After passing both Part 1 and Part 2 the first time, I wanted to share
my special techniques with others, so they could also save time, and
avoid the cost and aggravation of staring over or giving up. Ive
now coached over 3000 candidates to successfully prepare for the
CMA exam, and Im ready to add you to the list of happy CMAs
who used my methods!
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Preface
Preparing for your CMA exam is like preparing for a race. You
will need commitment, discipline, a coach, and a training schedule.
If you are reading this, you are committed not only to taking but
to passing the exam and I applaud you for it.
Let this guide serve as your training guide, and me as your coach.
All that is left is discipline. I know that you have it in you.
Lets start training together. Before you know it, you will have
won the race and achieved your CMA credential.

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C HAPTER 1

CMA PART-ONE
Lets review what CMA Part-One has in store
for you. Well review each section and how
long you should devote to each one.
This breakdown will make it easier to assimilate the content and provide a solid study framework. Itll only work if you put in the work.
Please note that this is based on a three-month
study plan. If you need more time, dont hesitate to take it.If you feel that this pace is too
slow for you, dont hesitate to move faster.

Sections Covered and Tested

A) External Financial Reporting Decisions 15% Level C
Level C

1 Week

B) Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting

30%

2 Weeks

C) Performance Management

20% Level C

2 Weeks

D) Cost Management

20% Level C

3 Weeks

E) Internal Controls

15% Level C

1 Week

4-Hour Exam. 100 Multiple-Choice Questions and 2 Essay Questions.

The percentages represent the weight each section carries on the exam.
Level C means that the sections will be tested at the highest level of comprehension and application.

Week 1

Week 3

Section A: External Financial Reporting Deci-

Section B: Planning, Budgeting, & Forecast-

sions

ing (Continued)

- Topic 1: Financial Statements

- Topic 4: Budgeting Methodologies

- Topic 2: Recognition, Measurement, Valuation & Disclosure

- Topic 5: Annual Profit Plan & Supporting Schedules

- Topic 6: Top Level Planning & Analysis

Week 2

Week 4

Section B: Planning, Budgeting, & Forecast-

Section C: Performance Management

ing

- Topic 1: Cost & Variance Measures

- Topic 1: Strategic Planning

- Topic 2: Responsibility Centers & Reporting Segments

- Topic 2: Budgeting Concepts

- Topic 3: Forecasting Techniques

Week 5

Week 8

Section C: Performance Management (Contin-

Section D: Cost Management (Continued)

ued)

- Topic 4: Supply-Chain Management

- Topic 3: Performance Measures

- Topic 5: Business Process Improvement

Week 6

Week 9

Section D: Cost Management

Section E: Internal Controls

- Topic 1: Measurement Concepts

- Topic 1: Governance, Risk & Compliance

Week 7

- Internal Auditing
- Systems Controls & Security Measures

Section D: Cost Management (Continued)

- Topic 2: Costing Systems
- Topic 3: Overhead Costs

C HAPTER 2

CMA Part-Two
Lets review what CMA Part-Two has in store for
you. Well review each section and how long you
should devote to each one.
This breakdown will make it easier to assimilate
the content and provide a solid study framework.
Itll only work if you put in the work.
Please note that this is based on a three-month
study plan. If you need more time, dont hesitate
to take it.If you feel that this pace is too slow for
you, dont hesitate to move faster.

Sections Covered and Tested

A) Financial Statement Analysis

25% Level C

2 Weeks

B) Corporate Finance

20% Level C

4 Weeks

C) Decision Analysis

20% Level C

1.5 Weeks

D) Risk Management

10% Level C

0.5 Week

E) Investment Decisions

15% Level C

2 Weeks

F) Professional Ethics

10% Level C

1 Week

4-Hour Exam. 100 Multiple-Choice Questions and 2 Essay Questions.

The percentages represent the weight each section carries on the exam.
Level C means that the sections will be tested at the highest level of comprehension and application.

Week 1

Week 4

Section A: Financial Statement Analysis

Section B: Corporate Finance (Continued)

- Topic 1: Basic Financial Statement Analysis

- Topic 3: Raising Capital

- Topic 2: Financial Performance Metrics - Financial Ratios

Week 5

Week 2
Section A: Financial Statement Analysis
(Continued)
- Topic 3: Profitability Analysis

Section B: Corporate Finance (Continued)

- Topic 4: Working Capital Management

Week 6

- Topic 4: Special Issues

Section B: Corporate Finance (Continued)

Week 3

- Topic 5: Corporate Restructuring

- Topic 6: International Finance

Section B: Corporate Finance

- Topic 1: Risk & Return
- Topic 2: Long-term Financial Management
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Week 7

Week 9

Section C: Decision Analysis

Section E: Investment Decisions

- Topic 1: Cost/Volume/Profit Analysis

- Topic 1: Capital Budgeting Process

- Topic 2: Marginal Analysis

- Topic 2: Discounted Cashflow Analysis

Week 8

Week 10

Section C: Decision Analysis (Continued)

Section E: Investment Decisions (Continued)

- Topic 3: Pricing

- Topic 3: Payback & Discounted Payback

Section D: Risk Management

- Topic 4: Risk Analysis In Capital Investments

- Topic 1:Enterprise Assessment

Week 11
Section F: Professional Ethics
- Topic 1: Ethical Considerations For Professionals
- Topic 2: Ethical Considerations For The Organization

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If youd like to reach out to me directly, email me at

nathan@cmacoach.com I reply to all emails I get :)
Best of luck and I wish you exam success!

Thank-You!

There you have it! A solid study plan for CMA Part-One and also
for Part-Two.
What do you think? Dont be fooled by its simplicity. Thats the
power of this plan; simple yet effective.
At the end of the day, the results are up to you based on the effort
that you will put into this process.
You have the tool, now make it work for you!
If you are interested in working with me 1-on-1, I invite you to visit
CMA Exam Academy. Its my #1 online prep course for the CMA
exam where candidates are becoming CMAs by passing the exam
on their first attempt with my help.

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