CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track)

Intermediate IMA Accounting

Issued by IMA (imanet.org). The CMA is the leading credential for management accounting, FP&A, and corporate finance globally recognized by Fortune 500 companies.

Quick Verdict

CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track) sits at the Intermediate level — a solid next step once you have some foundational experience, without requiring the multi-year track record advanced credentials demand.

Overview

Issued by IMA (imanet.org). The CMA is the leading credential for management accounting, FP&A, and corporate finance globally recognized by Fortune 500 companies.

Key topics covered: Financial Reporting & Analysis, Planning & Budgeting, Performance Management, Cost Management, Internal Controls, Decision Analysis, Investment Decisions.

Best suited for: Accountants and finance professionals in FP&A, corporate accounting, and management advisory roles.

Common career paths: Management Accountant, FP&A Manager, Financial Controller, Finance Director.

Who This Is For

Accountants and finance professionals in FP&A, corporate accounting, and management advisory roles.

Exam Focus Areas

  • Financial Reporting & Analysis
  • Planning & Budgeting
  • Performance Management
  • Cost Management
  • Internal Controls
  • Decision Analysis
  • Investment Decisions

Study Roadmap

Full step-by-step roadmap coming soon. See the roadmap page for updates.

Career Paths This Supports

Management AccountantFP&A ManagerFinancial ControllerFinance Director

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track) certification?

Issued by IMA (imanet.org). The CMA is the leading credential for management accounting, FP&A, and corporate finance globally recognized by Fortune 500 companies. offered by IMA, focused on Accounting.

Who offers the CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track) certification?

CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track) is issued by IMA.

Is CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track) a beginner, intermediate, or advanced certification?

CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track) is classified as Intermediate-level. It generally assumes some prior foundational knowledge or entry-level experience.

How much does the CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track) exam cost?

The CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track) exam costs $415–$830. Always confirm current pricing on the official IMA certification page, as fees change periodically.

What salary can I expect with CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track)?

Professionals holding CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track) commonly report compensation in the $85K–$130K range, though actual pay varies by employer, geography, and total experience.

What category does CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track) fall under?

CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track) is categorized under Accounting on CertPlanet, alongside other related certifications you can compare directly.

Is CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track) worth pursuing in 2026?

That depends on your current experience level and goals — as an Intermediate-level credential, it works well once you have some foundational experience but haven't yet formalized it.

How does CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track) compare to similar certifications?

See the dedicated comparison page for CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track) to view it side-by-side against alternative certifications in Accounting.

Where do I register for the CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track) exam?

Registration happens directly through IMA's official certification portal, linked from this page.

What's the best way to prepare for CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track)?

A structured, step-by-step study roadmap for CMA – Certified Management Accountant (Accounting Track) is available on this site, built around the exam's actual focus areas rather than a generic study checklist.