The CMA (Certified Management Accountant) designation is a post-nominal award issued to individuals who have achieved a peer-based criteria of professional competency in the field of Management Accounting. Management accounting qualifications differ from those such as the ACA or CPA "Chartered" or "Public" accounting qualifications in a number of ways. Management accountants are primarily focused on internal cost measures and accounting for management review, whereas ACA/CPA specialists are focused on reporting financial results to external bodies such as tax departments, capital markets, investors and others.

In order to earn the CMA designation, an accountant must have mastered a comprehensive body of knowledge by demonstrating six key skill levels -- knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation -- in the following areas: • Business Analysis (economics, internal controls, quantitative methods, financial statement analysis) • Management Accounting and Reporting (budget preparation, cost management, performance measurement, external financial reporting) • Strategic Management (strategic planning, corporate finance, decision analysis, investment decision analysis) • Business Applications (all of the above, plus organization management, behavioral issues, ethical considerations).

Requirement:
*Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university or
*Hold a CPA certificate or foreign equivalent or
*Hold the foreign equivalent to the CMA; or
*Be or become a member of the Institute of Management Accountants;
*Be employed or expect to be employed in management accounting or financial *management; and Submit the names of two character references.

For more information on exams, schedules, requirement and fees please contact the American Certifications Center