Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Professional Development Program
Management Accountants' job responsibilities have changed
significantly over the past decade. Globalization, standardization,
and more stringent financial reporting requirements have
brought challenges and changes to accounting practices,
regulations,
and ethics. Formerly financial record-keepers, management
accountants today share responsibilities and skill sets
with
internal consultants and business analysts. They are less isolated, behaving like financial managers by working on cross- functional teams and taking part in strategic decisions.
The Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation represents
an independent measure of knowledge and competence in the
field of management accounting. Internationally recognized,
the CMA is a proven credential for professional advancement
that demonstrates an understanding of a broad range of management
topics in managerial finance such as economics, business
finance, situational analysis,
and ethical decision-making.
According to a recent survey of Finance and Accounting professionals,
a CMA-certified professional earns 89% more than a non-certified
professional and 19% more than a professional with only a
CPA (SmartPros.com Salary Survey, February 2005).
Northwestern University's School of Continuing Studies (SCS)
offers a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) professional
certificate in partnership with The
Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), featuring
regularly updated curriculum based on new
job descriptions and responsibilities.
Through classroom instruction, self-study materials, and
web testing, students will learn to:
- Construct strategic planning and marketing techniques
- Measure successful performance indicators
- Implement internal controls
- Understand their professional and ethical roles in information
management
To earn a Certificate of Completion, students must successfully
complete four required courses:
This structure is meant to mirror the four-tiered CMA exam,
which measures critical thinking and decision-making skills
in areas of economics, business finance, situational analysis,
and ethics.
Students take a total of four courses involving 84 hours
of class time. The Certified Management Accountant designation
is awarded after successfully completing four computer-based
exams that students schedule with the IMA after each of the
four courses. The SCS certificate should not be confused with
national certification, which is only achieved after successfully
completing the CMA exam. Students usually move through the
program as a cohort; however, classes also may be taken individually
and out of sequence.
Program Audience
CMA courses benefit individuals preparing for the IMA certification
exam as well as those who would like to increase their knowledge
of current business practices; managerial finance and accounting
professionals involved in strategic, tactical, and operating
decisions with their organizations financial management practices;
accountants preparing reports for shareholders, creditors,
regulatory agencies, and tax officials; CPAs looking to switch
to internal corporate accounting positions; and students with
an interest in business analysis, management accounting, and
reporting.
Northwestern
Excellence
- Northwestern
University is a preeminent university recognized internationally as a hallmark of academic excellence.
- School of Continuing Studies programs provide students with exceptional opportunities for intellectual, professional and personal growth.
- SCS instructors bring outstanding academic credentials and relevant professional experience to the classroom to create a highly interactive, collaborative, and challenging learning environment.
- SCS students study with peers who have rich, diverse backgrounds and can provide lifelong learning connections.
Course Information
CMA courses are held at our convenient Loop
location. Registration information and detailed course
descriptions can be found on the course
listings page. Schedules, content and prices are subject
to change.
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