The ICMA is the Institute of Certified Management Accountants. It’s the credentialing body under the IMA umbrella that actually writes, administers, and grades the CMA exam. While the IMA is the broader professional association, the ICMA is the technical organization responsible for the exam content, certification standards, syllabus, Learning Outcome Statements, and policies around grading and scoring. The ICMA develops the exam with input from practicing management accountants worldwide, which is why the content stays current with what’s actually going on in the profession. When you take the exam, your performance is evaluated against ICMA standards, and your CMA designation is conferred under ICMA’s authority.
