CMA USA certification is an acknowledged credential certified by Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), USA. It is appreciated in the field of accounting, finance, and business administration as it helps in boosting career opportunities and leads to high-paying jobs.
To get CMA USA certification you will need to have Work experience which is one of the essentials of CMA USA. To qualify for certification, candidates must have controlled experience. It also provides them with practical knowledge in the field, ensuring that candidates can apply the concepts learned during their CMA program in their financial decisions.
This blog gives you in-depth clarity on CMA USA Work Experience requirements, including its eligibility criteria, job roles that are accepted, documentation process, and FAQs.
Table of Contents
Details about the CMA USA Work Experience Requirement
This correlates with the IMA’s work experience requirement, enforcing that professionals have real financial and accounting experience.
- Work Experience Criteria
They should have at least two years of relevant work experience in financial management or management accounting. This experience must be:
- Two full-time years (40+ hours a week) of work experience OR
- Relevant part-time work experience (minimum of 20 hours per week, qualifying on pro-rata basis) that should be completed within the four years.
- When Can You Complete the Work Experience
- Before or After Passing US CMA– The experience requirement can be met before taking the exam or within seven years after passing both exams of the CMA.
- A candidate will not be granted a CMA certification if they don’t fulfill the work experience requirement in this timeframe.
What Work Experience is Accepted?
For the IMA, work experience includes financial analysis, strategic planning, cost control, budgeting, risk management, and internal controls. Be in decision-making roles that affect the financial operations of an organization.
Get Details for US CMA Online & Face to Face Batches
What Types of Jobs are Accepted for the CMA Experience Requirement
Relevant CMA USA Work Experience Eligible roles for CMA USA Work Experience include:
- Financial Analyst – Conducting financial planning, variance analysis and investment analysis.
- Management Accountant – Financial reporting, cost analysis, and supporting strategic decisions.
- Corporate Accountant — Managing internal financial statements, reconciliations and budgeting.
- Cost Accountant – Responsible for allocation of cost, pricing strategy, and implementing cost control measures
- Internal Auditor – Performing audits, assessing risk controls, and ensuring adherence to regulations.
- Treasurer or Finance Manager – Monitoring cash flow management, investment strategies, and financial risk assessments.
- Budget Analyst – Developing and managing budgets to align with an organization’s financial strategy.
- Controller — Overseeing financial operations, reporting, and policies.
- CFO – Overseeing financial planning, investment decisions, and governance.
Fields Which Accept Work Experience
The CMA USA Work experience is accepted in the various industries such as:
- Banking & Financial Services
- Manufacturing & Production
- IT & Software
- Retail & E-commerce
- Consulting & Auditing Firms
- Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
- Government & Public Sector Enterprises
Which Work Experience is NOT Accepted?
Although CMA USA is a general finance certification, not all jobs qualify for work experience. The following does NOT qualify as ‘experience’:
- Clerk or data input positions with none of the decision authority.
- Teaching or academic positions (except for those who teach accounting or finance at an accredited university).
- Excluding internships, part-time jobs, and short-term appointments that do not fulfill the minimum required hours.
- Freelance or self-employed accounting (if not verified through proof of working papers and professional references).
How to Submit Evidence of Work Experience?
The candidates applying for CMA certificate shall provide the IMA with relevant work experience verification documents. The process is as follows:
Step 1: Download the Work Experience Verification Form
- The Work Experience Verification Form can be downloaded by candidates from the IMA’s official website.
Step 2: Have Employer Sign the Form
- We require the employer or HR department to certify the information and sign the form.
- Multiple forms may be submitted where the candidate has changed jobs.
Step 3 — Attach Supporting Documents
Additional documents to support claims of work experience may include:
- Employment offer letters
- Salary Slips or Experience Certificates
- Job description written on company letterhead
Step 4: Submit to IMA
- The completed form and supporting documents are to be sent to IMA through:
- Email (scanned copy)
- Postal service (hard copy if requested by IMA)
Upon verifying the documents, IMA will determine the candidate’s eligibility for certification.
CMA USA Work Experience Requirement FAQ
- Does my internship count as work experience for CMA?
Internships don’t count as work experience, unless they were paid, full-time and involved financial management or decision-making.
- May self-employed applicants satisfy the CMA work experience requirement?
Yes, but self-employed candidates will have to provide more supporting documents like business registration certificates, papers from clients, and financial documents for their experience verification.
- Does teaching experience count towards the work experience requirement?
Teaching finance or accounting at an accredited university counts, yes, as long as it’s done full-time and at a professional level.
- Can I complete the CMA work experience requirement post passing of exam?
Yes, candidates are allowed a seven-year window from the time they pass their exam to complete their required work experience.
- Do I need to have work experience in the USA, or is Indian experience sufficient?
Any work experience valid according to IMA’s criteria irrespective of whether the work experience is in India or overseas can be considered.
- If I have not completed the work experience in seven years, what telling consequences are?
If no work experience requirement is completed within seven years, the candidate is no longer eligible to become US CMA and must apply again.
- Can the work experience be in an industry other than finance?
Yes, work experience can be in any sector as long as the role is related to finance and includes making financial decisions and analysis.
- Does part-time work count for CMA experience?
Yes, yet it is important to note that part-time work (20 hours minimum a week) will equal two years full-time experience only if this occurs over four years.
- My CMA work experience has been accumulated at different jobs. Can I use multiple jobs to fulfill the CMA work experience requirement?
Candidates may list two years of work experience from multiple jobs.
- How long does it take for IMA to verify work experience?
Most of the results are received from IMA within 6-8 weeks.
Conclusion
Work experience required to become a CMA USA. Candidates should have at least two years of relevant writing experience, financial management, cost control, budgeting, or corporate finance. The work experience requirement may be satisfied before passing the CMA exam or at any time up to seven years after passing.
Therefore, by meeting and fulfilling the CMA USA work experience requirements professionals can have global recognition plan and this can improve the career prospects along with provide them with benefit when it comes to working in the finance sector.
