All about CMA Courses, Eligibility, Fee and Career Scope

CMA course completion not only opens up an exciting world of financial management opportunities but provides the required experience to meet the demands of the ever-changing corporate world. Read all about CMA course here.

CMA Course: The Institute of Cost Accountants, commonly referred to as ICMAI, administers the Cost and Management Accounting course in India. The CMA full form, Cost and Management Accounting, was previously termed as CWA, which was an acronym for Cost and Works Accounting. The governing body in India remained unchanged; however, ICMAI was then known as the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India (ICWAI). The CMA course is ideal for students interested in managing and integrating accounts across various company departments to optimize costs. The CMA course duration is three years.

This article provides CMA course details, including the eligibility criteria, fees, syllabus, salary prospects, etc.

What is CMA Course?

CMA, or Cost and Management Accounting, is a certificate course providing CMA designation to the qualifiers. The designation is a gateway to a lucrative career in business accounting. The CMA course functions on four pillars of knowledge, including Management, Regulatory Framework, Strategy, and Financial Reporting. The designation of a CMA is provided after a candidate qualifies the CMA exam conducted at three levels mentioned below:

• Level 1: CMA Foundation
• Level 2: CMA Intermediate
• Level 3: CMA Final

CMA Full Form

Cost and Management Accountant is abbreviated as CMA. Earlier, CMA was known as Cost and Work Accountant (CWA). ICWAI awarded CWA designation to all the qualified candidates. Later, with the change in name, ICWAI became ICAI, and CWA became CMA. The change came into existence to compete with the similar level of designations in other countries. Most countries had a similar designation and addressed the same CMA's, i.e. certified management accountants. To provide equal status to the CWA qualifiers, the change in name was proposed. Additionally, the curriculum of the course is more management than works accountancy to provide knowledge at par with the growing technologies.

Difference Between CWA, CMA, ICMAI, and ICWAI

As discussed, ICAI offers the CMA course at three levels. CMA or Cost and Management Accountant was formerly known as Cost and Work Accountant (CWA). The institute offering the course remained the same from the initial stage. However, ICAI was then termed as the Institute of Cost and Work Accountants of India (ICWA). ICWAI was later renamed as the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants (ICMAI).

Thus, there is no difference between CWA and CMA. Both are the same courses, only the name has been changed in the previous years. Similarly, ICWAI, ICMAI, and ICAI are the same institute with changes in names over the years. Besides the nomenclature, there is no change in the literal meaning.

CMA Course Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria to apply for CMA exam at all three levels vary. Space below mentions the CMA course eligibility criteria for all three levels

CMA Foundation Eligibility Criteria

• Have passed Class 10 or equivalent followed by Class 12 or equivalent
• If they have received National Diploma in Commerce Examination (AICTE or by any recognised board)

CMA Intermediate Eligibility Criteria

• Passed SSC or equivalent
• Foundation or entry level of Common Admission Test (CAT) by Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI)
• Graduation in any stream (except Fine Arts)
• Even students who are awaiting results would pass CMA course eligibility

CMA Final Eligibility Criteria

• Students who are done with their Intermediate level at school
• Graduation in any stream (except Fine Arts)
• Have passed all eight papers of the Intermediate course

CMA Course Fees and Duration

The entrance examination, the CMA exam, is held twice a year, once each in June and December. If a student wishes to apply for the June exam, they can apply before January 31 of the same year. For the December exam, the last date of application is July 31.

CMA Course Fees

CMA Exam

Candidates enrolling into any of the three CMA courses have to appear for the exam conducted by the institute to be eligible for the subsequent phase of the entire course. ICMAI conducts the CMA exam in two sessions, June and December. Candidates can appear for any of the terms based on their eligibility. For all CMA students, ICMAI hosts the CMA exam form to be filled before a specified date to take the exam in that particular session. CMA exam form submission requires the candidates to pay the exam fee.

CMA Exam Fees

The table below mentions the CMA exam fees for Foundation, Intermediate, and Final exams

CMA Exam Pattern

The table below mentions the CMA exam pattern for Foundation, Intermediate, and Final exams

CMA Course Syllabus/Subjects

All three levels of the CMA course has different subjects. Candidates need to qualify the exam for all papers to get the CMA designation. An overview of entire CMA course structure is mentioned below:

• First stage is CMA Foundation; candidates must pass four papers to clear the course level. Candidates can appear for the test of these four subjects in term of CMA exams
• Second stage is the CMA Intermediate; the course level has two groups with the following features 
  • Group 1 has four papers; students can appear for all four in one term exam
  • Group 2 has four papers; students can appear for all four in one term exam
  • In some cases, candidates can also appear for both groups of CMA Intermediate exam in one term
• Third stage is the CMA Final; similar to the intermediate level, Final course has two groups
  •  Group 3 has four papers; 
  • Group 4 has four papers. Candidates get to choose among three elective subjects for the last paper of Group IV.

Also Read:

• CMA Pass Percentage 2024
• CMA Inter Pass Percentage 2024
• CMA Final Pass Percentage 2024

ICMAI had revamped the syllabus for all three courses by introducing the CMA syllabus 2022. The latest syllabus for all three courses of CMA designation are as follows:

CMA Syllabus for Foundation Course

CMA Syllabus for Intermediate Course

CMA Syllabus for Final Course

CMA Course: Career, Scope and Salaries

Students are placed both through campus as well as off-campus. Students are equipped not just to pursue strictly accounting profiles on organizations, but can also leverage their knowledge and experience to venture into consulting and management.

CMA Job Roles

Students can explore and take up multiple roles in a company post their course completion. These include:

• Internal Auditor
• Cost Accountant
• Finance Manager
• Assitant Finance Manager
• Chief Financial Officer

CMA Salary Expectation

As of now, IT, ITeS and Telecommunications happen to be the industries that offer most in terms of remuneration. The average salary offered to freshers starts at INR 22,000-25,000 per month. With experience and exposure, this, of course, would rise. The table below mentions the average salaries of top job positions in organisations offered to candidates holding a CMA designation

CMA Salary

CMA course exam not only opens up an exciting world of financial management opportunities but helps provide the necessary experience so that the aspirant can take on the demands of the ever-changing corporate world.

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