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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.

Custom Programs

The School of Continuing Studies works with corporate partners to develop custom Certified Management Accountant programs to meet their specific needs. This program can be held at your company location.

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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