CMA Review Book – Not Your Average Textbook

It’s no secret that studying for the Certified Management Accountant exam can be gruelling, which means having the right tools is crucial.

Whether you choose an in-person or online study course, a CMA review book will be a critical part of your learning experience.

The truth is, not all CMA review books are designed the same, and while they may cover the same core topics, how the information is presented may not be suitable for learning. For non-native English speakers, the challenge is even greater.

Which brings me to the CMA Exam Academy review textbooks…

Originally published on February 28th, 2020, this article was updated and republished on August 1st, 2024.

What Is a CMA Review Book?

A review book is essentially a textbook containing all the Content Specification Outline (CSO) material that you are required to know and understand to pass the CMA exam.

These textbooks can be paperback or electronic and they break down the core topics into digestible chapters for easy consumption and comprehension.

Exam Secrets Cheat Sheet

Pass the CMA exam the first time using the exam secrets no one talks about, until today!

First Name *

Email *

 

Download Cheat Sheet

No worries, your information is safe with me. I hate spam too!

What Material Is Covered in My CMA Review Book?

It is important to choose a textbook that contains all of the fundamental topics for each part of the CMA exam.

Here’s what you will find in CMA Exam Academy’s Part One review book:

• Section A – External Financial Reporting Decisions:
  You’ll learn to master Financial Statements, and Recognition, Measurement, Valuation and Disclosure.
• Section B – Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting:
  You’ll learn to master Strategic Planning, Budgeting Concepts, Forecasting Techniques, Budget Methodologies, Annual Profit Plan and Supporting Schedules, Top-level Planning and Analysis.
• Section C – Performance Management:
  You’ll learn to master Cost and Variance Measures, Responsibility Centers and Reporting Segments, and Performance Measures.
• Section D – Cost Management:
  You’ll learn to master Measurement Concepts, Costing Systems, Overhead Costs, Supply Chain Management, Business Process Improvement.
• Section E – Internal Controls:
  You’ll learn to master Governance, Risk and Compliance, Internal Auditing, and Systems Controls and Security Measures.
• Section F – Technology & Analytics:
  You’ll learn to master Information Systems, Data Governance, Data Analytics, and Technology for Finance
• Examples & Illustrations:
  Throughout the textbook, you’ll find illustrations and examples to help you learn and assimilate the content in a visual way.

Here’s what you can expect from our CMA Part-Two textbook:

• Section A – Financial Statement Analysis:
  You’ll learn to master Basic Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Ratios & Performance Metrics, Profitability Analysis, and Special Issues.
• Section B – Corporate Finance:
  You’ll learn to master Risk & Return, Long Term Financial Management, Raising Capital, Working Capital Management, Corporate Restructuring, and International Finance.
• Section C – Decision Analysis:
  You’ll learn to master Cost/Volume/Profit Analysis (CVP Analysis), Marginal Analysis, and Pricing.
• Section D – Risk Management:
  You’ll learn to master Enterprise Risk.
• Section E – Investment Decisions:
  You’ll learn and master Capital Budgeting Process, Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, Payback & Discounted Payback, and Risk Analysis in Capital Investment.
• Section F – Professional Ethics:
  You’ll learn to master Business Ethics, and Ethical considerations for management accounting and financial management professionals, and Ethical considerations for the organization.
• Examples & Illustrations:
  Throughout the textbook, you’ll find illustrations and examples to help you learn and assimilate the content in a visual way.

Unlike other CMA review books, CMA Exam Academy’s are full of examples and illustrations to help you get a better grasp of specific topics. This visualization is especially helpful when trying to learn formulas.

What Makes CMA Exam Academy’s CMA Review Book Stand Out

As I mentioned above, not all textbooks are designed the same. What makes ours so unique is its in depth content that caters to both native and non-native English speaking CMA candidates.

You see, the IMA is made up of over 100,000 active members across 140 countries. Many of which are non-native English speaking countries. As the rate of CMA candidates climbs year after year, the CMA review material should reflect the growing need for tools and resources that cater to this ever-growing population.

Quick note – if you are reading and understanding this article, then your English is likely at a satisfactory level to commence your studies for the CMA exam. It mainly requires you to be able to read and comprehend written English as well as write in essay format.

If you are struggling a bit, that’s where my textbook comes in.

The CMA review book is designed to introduce candidates to advanced topics in plain English; i.e., easy to understand layman’s terms.

Here’s what students who are not native English speakers say about it:

Candidates prefer my study books to the competition’s because they are easy to understand. It’s that simple.

You can find our CMA review book as part of our 16-Week Accelerator program, which includes both the paperback and electronic textbooks. Or you can order the paperback as a stand-alone product here.

Long gone are the days where non-native English speakers struggle to prepare for the exam.
Exam prep doesn’t get any easier than this!

Check out all of the CMA review book resources available to you and be sure to let me know what you benefited from most in the comment section below.

CMA Review Book FAQs

Is the CMA exam really hard?

The difficulty level of the CMA exam is quite high. Its pass rates are around 50% for both Part One and Part Two. However, it’s definitely possible to do well on this exam if you have the right resources to optimize your learning. It also helps to allocate enough time for preparations. The more familiar you are with the exam structure, the more likely you will pass.

How should I study for the CMA exam?

A great way to prepare for the CMA exam is by using a CMA review textbook or enrolling in a CMA review course. These resources are formulated to walk you through all the core concepts you need to know to excel. You can also create a study plan or schedule to ensure you cover all the essential topics in time.

How many hours a week should I study for CMA?

In general, I’d recommend spending 240-300 hours over 16-20 weeks for each exam part. However, if you already have specialized experience in finance or accounting, you may only need around 200 hours per exam part. Having the right CMA review materials can also help you reduce your CMA exam study time, especially if yyou planto self-study.

Hi, I’m Nathan Liao (aka the CMA Coach)! For the last 10 years, over 82,000 accounting and finance pros came knocking at my door seeking guidance and help. If you’re also aiming to conquer the CMA exam on your very first try—without wasting away time or money—you’ve found your ultimate guide. Dive in deeper to discover more about me and the dedicated team that powers CMA Exam Academy. Click here and let’s embark on this journey together!