CMA (USA) – Certified Management Accountant
Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), USA Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA)
International Professional Accounting & Management Finance Certification
Approximately 12–18 months for examination preparation, depending on the student's study plan and pace.
Two-part professional examination: • Part 1 – Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics • Part 2 – Strategic Financial Management
On-Campus / Face-to-Face Classes
Islamabad
CMA examinations are currently offered during three testing windows each year: • January / February • May / June • September / October Students may take Part 1 and Part 2 in either order.
The Certified Management Accountant (CMA) is a globally recognised professional certification for accounting, finance and business professionals, administered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), USA.
Unlike traditional accounting qualifications that focus primarily on financial reporting and compliance, the CMA places strong emphasis on management accounting, financial planning, performance management, analytics, corporate finance and strategic decision-making.
At CGL, students in Islamabad can prepare for the CMA (USA) examinations through structured classroom teaching, examination-focused preparation, practice questions, revision and academic support.
The CMA examination consists of two parts and covers 12 major competency areas across financial planning, performance, analytics and strategic financial management.
The certification is particularly relevant for professionals who want to develop careers in:
CMA Part 1 – Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics
Part 1 develops the knowledge required to understand financial information, plan organisational performance and use accounting information to support management decisions.
Major Areas
Understanding financial reporting information and the accounting concepts used to prepare and analyse financial statements.
Developing budgets, forecasts and planning processes used by organisations to manage future performance.
Measuring organisational and departmental performance and analysing results against established objectives.
Understanding costing concepts and applying cost information to business planning and decision-making.
Understanding internal control systems, control procedures, risk areas and methods used to strengthen organisational controls.
Using technology, data and analytical techniques to support financial and business decisions.
CMA Part 2 – Strategic Financial Management
Part 2 focuses on financial analysis, corporate finance and strategic business decisions.
Major Areas
Analysing financial statements and financial performance to support informed business decisions.
Understanding financing decisions, capital structure, working capital and other important areas of corporate financial management.
Applying financial and quantitative information to evaluate alternatives and make effective business decisions.
Understanding financial and business risks and approaches for identifying, evaluating and managing those risks.
Evaluating investment opportunities and applying financial techniques to capital investment decisions.
Understanding ethical responsibilities and professional conduct in financial and management-accounting environments.
These weightings and competency areas reflect the current IMA CMA examination framework.
The CMA (USA) is designed for graduates, accounting and finance professionals and individuals seeking advancement in corporate finance and management accounting.
Educational Requirement
Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or an approved professional certification recognised by IMA.
Professional Experience
Candidates must complete two continuous years of professional experience in management accounting and/or financial management.
The required experience may be completed before passing the examinations or within seven years after passing the CMA examination.
Professional Qualification Route
Candidates holding certain recognised professional accounting qualifications may also be eligible to satisfy the educational requirement, subject to IMA’s applicable rules.
Important
Students may prepare for and take the CMA examinations before completing the required work experience. However, the education and professional-experience requirements must be fulfilled before the CMA certification can be awarded.
CGL recommends that students verify their individual eligibility with IMA before completing their registration.
The CMA examination consists of two parts, and students can take the two parts in either order.
Many candidates complete both examinations within approximately 12–15 months, depending on their academic background, preparation schedule and examination strategy. IMA states that candidates have a maximum of three years from entry into the CMA program to complete both examination parts.
The overall time required to obtain the CMA designation can be longer if a student still needs to complete the required professional experience.
On-Campus CMA Classes in Islamabad
CGL offers face-to-face CMA (USA) classes in Islamabad for students and professionals who prefer classroom-based learning.
Our classroom programme is designed to provide:
Students can prepare for both CMA examination parts in a structured academic environment while continuing their professional or academic commitments.
Flexible Examination Planning
Students may take Part 1 and Part 2 in any order and can plan their examination attempts around the available IMA testing windows.
Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), USA
The CMA is administered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), USA.
The Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) is IMA’s certification affiliate responsible for the development, administration and grading of the CMA examination and for maintaining the integrity of the certification programme.
CGL provides classroom tuition and examination preparation for students pursuing the CMA (USA).
Students must independently satisfy IMA’s examination, education, professional experience and membership requirements to obtain the CMA designation.
The CMA is particularly relevant to careers where accounting and finance are combined with business analysis, planning, management and strategic decision-making.
After gaining the appropriate qualification and professional experience, CMA professionals may pursue positions such as:
Career Opportunities
CMA knowledge can be applied across many industries, including:
The CMA’s emphasis on management accounting, analytics and strategic financial management makes it particularly relevant for professionals who want to move beyond traditional accounting roles toward broader finance and business-management responsibilities.
CGL CMA (USA) Tuition Fee
CGL classroom tuition fee: Contact CGL Admissions for the latest fee structure.
IMA / CMA Examination Fees
The total cost of obtaining the CMA designation includes charges payable to IMA in addition to CGL tuition fees.
Depending on the student’s membership category, costs can include:
IMA’s published fees can change, so students should confirm the current charges at the time of registration.
Important
CGL tuition fees and IMA certification/examination fees are separate.
Students are responsible for completing their IMA registration and examination arrangements in accordance with IMA’s official procedures.
On-Campus Classes in Islamabad
Prepare for the CMA examination through structured face-to-face classes at CGL.
International Professional Certification
The CMA is an international professional certification administered by the Institute of Management Accountants in the United States.
Two-Part Qualification
The CMA examination consists of only two examination parts, allowing students to focus on financial planning, performance, analytics and strategic financial management.
Finance & Management Focus
Develop knowledge that connects accounting information with business planning, financial analysis and management decision-making.
Career-Oriented Learning
Build skills relevant to corporate finance, FP&A, management accounting, financial analysis, budgeting, performance management and strategic finance.
Suitable for Working Professionals
The CMA can be pursued while working because students can plan their examination attempts around the available examination windows.
Take the next step toward an international career in management accounting, corporate finance and strategic financial management.
Admissions are now open for CMA (USA) on-campus classes in Islamabad.
