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CMA in USA vs India: CMA US or CMA India Which is Better?

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Sumeet Jain
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CMA or  Certified Management Accountants courses are a global benchmark for management accountants and financial professionals aspiring to enhance their career possibilities within less than 12 months. Offered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) in around 150 countries, the US CMA course is the highest credential in the field of accounting and management. In India the CMA course is administered by Institute of Cost Accountants of India

Many a time, students have queries regarding CMA India vs CMA USA. From the conducting body to course duration and syllabus, there is indeed a certain difference between CMA India and CMA USA. This is what this blog is all about. Here we have discussed at length about CMA us vs CMA India by focusing on their specifications.

Table of Contents

A Comparative Analysis of CMA India vs CMA USA

Both CMA in India and CMA in USA equip students with all the required knowledge and skills to excel in the field of financial accounting and strategic management. However, both the courses are different from each other in various aspects. The major difference between CMA USA vs CMA India are discussed below:

Regulatory Body

The CMA in the USA is regulated by the Institute of Management Accounts (IMA). It is a forum for education, knowledge sharing, research, and the advocacy of ethics and best business practices in Management Accounting and Finances.

On the other hand, CMA India is regulated by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICWA)  with an aim to promote, regulate, and develop expertise in cost accountancy.

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Eligibility Criteria

A class 12th certificate and an undergraduate degree are the two most important US CMA eligibility for Indian students. The IMA has made the provision for undergraduates to have another seven years to produce the documents upon successful acquisition of the CMA USA certificate.

To apply for CMA in India, a class 12th certificate along with 6 months of articleship is enough. But you must have a score of minimum 40% for individual papers and an aggregate of 50% for intermediate groups.

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Course Structure & Syllabus

Another difference between CMA US vs cma India is the course duration, exam structure and their syllabus. CMA in USA can be completed in 6 to 9 months, whereas CMA in India is a 3 year course.

To talk about the US CMA exam pattern, you will be given 4 hours to complete 100 MCQ questions and 30 mins for two essays. Its syllabus is structured on 12 different topics pertaining to 2 parts of the course.

A glimpse of the CMA USA syllabus is given below:

Financial Planning, Performance and Analytics

Strategic Financial Management

Technology and Analysis

Internal Controls

Cost Management

Performance Management

Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting

External Financial Reporting Decisions

Financial Statement Analysis

Corporate Finance

Decision Analysis

Risk Management

Investment Decisions

Professional Ethics

For CMA in India, there are 20 subjects and 3 levels. They are as follows:

Foundation Level

CMA Intra Level

CMA Final Level

Fundamentals of Accounting

Fundamentals of Business Mathematics and Statistics

Fundamentals of Economics and Management

Fundamentals of Laws and Ethics

 

Company Accounts and Audits

Cost Accounting and Financial Management

Cost and Management Accounting

Direct Taxation

Financial Accounting

Indirect Taxation

Laws, Ethics and Governance

Operation Management Information System 

Advanced Financial Management

Business Strategy and Strategic Cost Management

Corporate Financial Reporting

Corporate Laws and Compliance

Cost and Management Audit

Financial Analysis and Business Valuation

Strategic Performance Management

Tax Management and Practice

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Recognition

One of the most distinguishing cma usa vs cma india is the recognition that each of them holds. A CMA in USA certificate is recognized and valued all over the world, but this is not the same for India. CMA in India qualification is acceptable only in India. It also restricts the global employment opportunities which is not the case with CMA in USA.

So that was in detail about cma india vs cma usa, which can be summarized as below:

Particulars

CMA in USA

CMA in India

Administered By

Institute of Management Accountants

Institute of Cost Accountants of India

Course Duration

Maximum 1 year

3 years

Requirements

Undergraduate degree + Work experience

10+2

Exam Structure

2 Parts (1 Level)

3 Levels – 20 Papers

Articleship

NIL

6 months

Which is Better CMA India or CMA USA?

Both CMA in USA and India opens up a range of opportunities for students and existing accounting professionals who want to take their careers to bigger heights. CMA USA does have the advantage of offering the course for a short duration of time, however, CMA in India’s exhaustive syllabus on the other hand add an extra learning element to the course. Hence, both the courses have their own share of perks, and CMA US or CMA India which is better is an open-ended discussion. so choose the one that best suits your career goals.

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So that was all about CMA USA vs CMA India. The certifications of both the courses open up new opportunities in a variety of industries, including banking and financial services, manufacturing, healthcare, insurance, pharmaceuticals and so on. CMA indeed is a compliment to your academic qualification and practical experience.

For further guidance and assistance, do get in touch with our Yocket Professionals.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About CMA India vs CMA USA

What is CMA US vs CMA India salary?

Is CMA in USA valid in India?

IS CMA in India vs CMA in USA syllabus same?

What is CMA US vs CMA India course duration?

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