subject: All Regarding Cmas [print this page] A CMA is actually a Certified Management Accountant. This is actually different from a Certified Public Accountant. A Certified Management Accountant is generally employed by a business firm or a not-for-profit organization, and deal with private accounting.
A CMA can usually obtain employment by Small Business Accounting Software companies, government, and non-for-profit entities. A CMA can obtain employment as a Bookkeeper, Payroll Clerk, General Accountant, Budget Analyst, Cost Accountant, Internal Auditor, or Information Technology Auditor. These CMA careers basically have starting salaries ranging from $28,500 to $72,500, which is much higher than the salary range for CPAs.
A Bookkeeper does not really need to normally have any certification, and therefore does not usually have to be a CMA. A Payroll Clerk must actually have certification labeled as Certified Payroll Professional, or CPP, but does not need to be a CMA. A general accountant or budget analyst may not be required to be a CMA, but many CMAs start in on as a general accountant or budget analyst. A Cost accountant must be a CMA and be licensed by whatever state agency monitors and regulates accountancy in that state. An Internal auditor must be a CMA and actually have an additional certification as a certified internal auditor, or CIA. An Information technology auditor must be a CMA and also essentially have certified information system auditor licensing, or CISA.
The certification program to become a CMA is sponsored by the Institute of Management Accountants, or IMA. The CMA certification is proof of competence in management accounting. In general terms take delivery of a CMA certification, you must generally have a academy degree, two years of experience, and pass a two day session of testing.
A CMA does not actually have the versatility of a CPA. Because a CMA works internally within a Small Business Accounting Software firm, the duties given to a CMA are fairly rote, meaning that the CMA does usually the same work each day.
