Episode 2 – What is the IMA CMA and Why It’ll Skyrocket Your Career and Income – An Interview with Jeff Thomson, CEO of the IMA

This week’s episode is especially exciting because you will be hearing from a very distinguished guest in the IMA CMA community.

This man has made Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential four years in a row, Trust Across America’s Top 100 Thought Leaders for five years running, and most recently earned the Institute of Management Accounting’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

So who is he? Jeff Thomson — CEO of the IMA.

I was very excited to pick his brain on all things IMA CMA, so be sure to listen in to this one. You’re going to learn a lot.

To listen in, just click the play button at the top of the page, download this in iTunes or listen on Stitcher.

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Here’s What You’ll Learn in this Week’s Episode:

• A brief history of the IMA CMA and where they see it going in the next 10-15 years
• The benefits of earning your designation and why it trumps others
• How the USA designation stacks up against its global counterparts
• A realistic outlook on job opportunities available to newly minted CMAs
• Insight into the IMA CMA exam content and how often it changes, and what to expect for future examinations
• How to contact Jeff to chat careers and opportunities

Resources:

• CMACoach.com — The best online resource for CMA candidates
• The Ultimate Guide to the CMA Exam — Be one of the first 100 listeners to get a FREE download with discount code
• CMA Exam Academy — My Instructor-led, online CMA prep course
• IMAnet.org — Learn more about the IMA

Like what you heard? Be sure to share it with your friends, family or coworkers and join me for brand new episodes every week.

P.S. If you liked this article, check out the ones below:

• Episode 12 – Why the CMA Accounting is a Must for Finance Professionals
• Become a CMA and Travel the World
• Episode 14 – CPA vs CMA – Which One First?

Frequented Asked Questions

What is the IMA CMA certification?

The IMA CMA is the Certified Management Accountant certification offered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), and it’s the leading and only US-based global management accounting credential in the world. The designation has existed for over four decades—approaching its 45th year—and there are CMAs in over 100 countries, making it a true global passport, prominent in the world’s two largest economies, the US and China.

How can earning a CMA designation impact my salary and career?

Earning a CMA designation can significantly boost your salary and accelerate your career. According to the IMA’s independent salary surveys, CMAs earn on average about 60% more than professionals who don’t hold the certification—and that premium is often even higher for young professionals, who tend to see the greatest salary lift.

How does the U.S. CMA compare to other global accounting certifications?

The U.S. CMA is widely regarded as the leading management accounting credential in the world, and it stands apart from other global certifications in several key ways. It’s the only US-based management accounting designation prominent in the world’s two largest economies, the US and China, with CMAs in over 100 countries—making it a genuine global passport rather than a locally recognized credential.

How often does the CMA exam content change?

The CMA exam content changes roughly every five years, though there’s no fixed schedule—the timing is intentionally market-driven rather than set to a rigid calendar. The IMA, through its independent affiliate the ICMA, periodically conducts a job analysis in which it surveys professionals in the field about what they actually do or expect to do in the near term, then compares those findings to the existing body of knowledge.

How do I get started with the IMA CMA exam?

To get started with the IMA CMA exam, your first step is to become a member of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), which you can do as a professional, student, or academic. From there, you’ll enter the CMA program, after which you have 36 months to pass both Part 1 and Part 2 of the exam.

Hi, I’m Nathan Liao (aka the CMA Coach)! For the last 11 years, over 100,000 accounting and finance leaders came knocking at my door seeking guidance and help. If you’re also aiming to pass 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!