Institute of Management Accountants

Important notice to all CMA and CSCA candidates: New pricing to go into effect October 1, 2023. Learn more.

8 Reasons to Become an IMA Student Member

IMA supports you at university and beyond

As an IMA Student member, you can learn about the role of accountants and financial managers in business and explore your career options. IMA offers Student members access to many of the benefits of regular Professional membership at a significantly reduced rate. To qualify for this membership type you must be enrolled in 6 or more credit hours at university.

What is management
accounting?

Scholarships
& awards

Student
chapters

Leadership
academy

Career guidance
& support

CMA Students

Students like you have demonstrated a high ability to succeed on the exam because much of the exam content is covered in coursework.
You’re already in study mode and exam material is top of mind
You can take both exam parts and submit your work experience later .
The amazing ROI of holding both CMA & CPA certifications
CMAs between the ages of 20-29 can earn 37% more in total compensation than non-CMAs globally.*

*IMA’s 2021 Global Salary Survey.

Learn more

CMA: Everything you need to know

The CMA exam: 2 parts covering 12 competencies

Part one

Financial planning, performance,
and analytics.

15^%

External financial reporting decisions
20^%

Planning, budgeting, and forecasting
20^%

Performance management
15^%

Cost management
15^%

Internal controls
15^%

Technology and analytics

Part two

Strategic financial management

20^%

Financial statement analysis
20^%

Corporate finance
25^%

Decision analysis
10^%

Risk management
10^%

Investment decisions
15^%

Professional ethics

Worth your time

12-18 months to complete both parts, on.
Up to 3 years allowed to complete both parts.
150-170 recommended hours of study per part.

A league of our own

50% pass rate globally
4,000 CMAs granted each year on average
70,000 CMAs awarded to date, each and every one earned through testing

Have what it takes?

Bachelor’s degree or professional accounting certification required
2 years of work experience required
Successful completion of parts 1 and 2 of the exam

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The CMA Scholarship

Did you know up to 10 students from your university per academic year can be nominated by professors to receive the CMA Scholarship, which allows you to prepare for and take the CMA exam at no expense to you?