Certified Management Accountant(CMA) is a USA based certification, overseen by the IMA (Institute of Management Accountants).

From
the last few years the CMA has been growing and spreading its global presence, and is now well known in China and throughout the Middle
East.
Chartered Institute of Management Accountant(CIMA) certification is handled by the CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management
Accountants). The CIMA is recognized in many countries, especially those in the UK and commonwealth.
Q.:Which course is more beneficial CMA or CIMA?
Answer: CMA certification is a great ascription for management professionals who are looking for enhancing their knowledge and skills in
the financial management fields. The course prepares a professional with skills in the area of financial planning, analysis, control, decision
support, and professional ethics.
In case of CIMA, it gives knowledge and insight into how the different areas of accounting relate to the business world. This accounting
qualification is most relevant to the current trends of the industry, helping candidates to unleash their talent and accelerate their career in the
business field.
So, depending upon your preference of field that you want to work in and build skills around, the benefits differ. Hence it is difficult to
generalize which certification is better as both of them cater to people with different aspirations.
Q.:What is the Requirements/Eligibility Criteria to pass CMA and CIMA Exam?
Answer: The eligibility criteria can be defined on the basis of Education and Experience.
Education:
CMA:A bachelor degree from a recognized university is required to get qualified for the CMA exam, but there is no eligibility for CIMA exam.
CIMA:Everyone can do CIMA course program because CIMA itself offers a more rigorous program.
Experience:
In case of CMA certification no experienced is required. But in case of CIMA Candidates must have 3 years of working experience in related
field.
Q.:Who provides the certifications?
Answer:The CMA certification is provided by Institute of management accountants, America while CIMA is given by Chartered institute of
management accountants, UK.
Q.:What is the registration fee for each of the courses?
Answer:CMAs registration fee for students is $ 476 and professionals are $1030 whereas for CIMA it is GBP 75.
Q.:How many papers do you have to give?
Answer:If you are doing CMA you have to give 2 papers at a single level and if you pursue CIMA you have to give 16 papers at 5 levels.
Q.:When does the exam take place?
Answer:CMA exams can be taken in January February, May-June or September- October. CIMA exams can be scheduled according to
you.
Q.:How long will it take to complete the course?
Answer:CMA takes a minimum of 6 months to a year to complete while CIMA can take up to 3-4 years.
Q.:What jobs can I get after completing the course?
Answer:CMA certification gets you the following jobs:

Financial risk manager

Financial analyst and planner

Capital Venture

Internal Auditor

Cost accountant and Manager

CIMA certification gets you the following jobs:

Finance analyst

Finance manager

Internal auditor

Financial analyst

Financial accountant

Tax specialist
Q.:What would be my average salary?
Answer:A CMAs salary would be $33,500 which would be approx. INR 21,30,000.
A CIMAs salary would be $ 33,000 which would be approx. INR 21,00,000.
Q.:Where should you go to visit the official websites?
Answer:CMA- www.imanet.org/cma-certification/
CIMA- http://www.cimaglobal.com/
COMPARISION

CIMA

CMA

Certification

Chartered institute of management accountants

Institute of management accountants (IMA)

Country

UK and Commonwealth

USA, China, India, Middle-east

Topics covered

Strategic management
Risk management
Financial strategy
Project and Relationship management
Advanced management accounting
Advanced financial reporting
Organisational management
Management accounting
Financial reporting
Taxation

Registration fee

$99 USD

Financial planning
Performance and control
Financial decision making
Performance management
Cost accounting
Risk management
Decision Analysis
Professional Ethics
Planning, budgeting and forecasting
Investment decisions
Student - $476.25 USD
Professional - $1030 USD

Sets of examination

16 papers 5 level exams

2 papers

Exam dates

You can schedule your exams accordingly.

Jan-feb, may-jun, sep-oct

Minimum Time duration

3-4 years.

6 months-1year

Median salary

$ 33,318; INR 2,117,241

$33,573; INR 21,33,076

Future Prospects/ideal for

Finance analyst
Finance manager
Internal auditor

Financial risk manager

Financial planner and analyst
Capital venture

Website

Financial analyst
Financial accountant

Internal auditor
Cost accountant and manager

Tax specialist
http://www.cimaglobal.com/

www.imanet.org/cma-certific