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CMA vs CPA: Which Qualification Is Better?

CMA vs CPA – that is the magic question for many candidates seeking their certification in accounting. You are making an important decision, so it makes sense that you put the time and energy into deciding what is best. If you’re trying to decide between these two certifications, I hope to provide you with enough information to make a proper choice for yourself.

Should I go for CPA or CMA? Can (or should) I get both? Let’s explore.

An Overview

The first step is to understand the requirements and benefits of these certifications. The Certified Public Accountant is the “black belt” for public accounting, and in essence, for the accounting profession in general. If you’ve considered accounting on any level, you’re likely already familiar with the CPA.

The exam itself covers a broad range of knowledge, ranging from the core financial accounting and auditing, as well as taxation, business laws and ethics, cost accounting, strategic planning, economics, statistics, and the differences between the US and international accounting systems.

When compared to a CPA license, the Certified Management Accountant certification highlights the professional’s accounting and financial expertise within the corporate world. That is, the skills required for finance managers, controllers, and CFOs. It also touches upon the operational and strategic aspects of running a corporation, a non-profit, or a governmental agency.

What’s the difference between public accounting and management accounting? Steve Colton from Accounting Insights summarizes it well:

Financial accounting is concerned with providing information about a company’s operations to parties external to the company. Examples include the IRS, bankers, suppliers, creditors and shareholders. A primary focus is on standardized reporting and achieving compliance with applicable regulations.

Management accounting is concerned with providing financial information about a company’s operations to its internal managers. The focus is on developing relevant and timely information that helps internal managers resolve the problems. It also helps make decisions that arise on a day-to-day basis.”

CMA vs CPA Comparison at a Glance

In terms of the process of getting the CPA vs CMA qualification, here are the factors you should consider.

Exam CPA CMA
Focus Public accounting;
general accounting
Management
accounting
Overall recognition
Industry recognition
Exam Requirements
Entry barrier Hard Easy
Need bachelor’s degree?
150 credit hours needed?
Accounting concentration?
Min. accounting courses?
Exam Format
# exam days per year Almost continuous testing with a few blackout dates (12 months) 4 testing windows
(6 months)
Total exam hours 14 8
No. of parts/levels 4 2
Latest pass rates 42-57% 35% / 50%
Estimated expenses US$2,000-$3,000+ US$1,475+

CMA and CPA Costs

Let’s take a look at the price point of the investment in each of these. As you can see in the chart above, the CPA can cost between $2,000 and $3,000, and this is just for the exam-related expenses. You will pay more if you factor in study guides, travel, and other related expenses.

For the CMA, you’re looking at around $1,475, maybe less if you’re a student. As you can see, it can be less for the CMA, or it could be right around the same cost for both of the exams, depending on different factors you can use to help you save more on the exams.

You shouldn’t make your decision about which accounting certification to take on price alone. First, they are very close in cost, and second, there are other factors to consider. I am going to review these with you below. Whichever certification you decide to go for, you can get discount codes to help you save a little more.

CMA vs CPA – A Closer Look at the Syllabus

The following chart shows the overlap of topics between the CMA and CPA exams. The weighting in overlapped areas can be quite different so please use this for general reference only.

CMA Part 1 Topics Where It Appears in CPA Exam
 External Financial Reporting (15%)  FAR / REG (Tax Implications)
 Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting (30%)  BAR
 Performance Management (20%)  BAR
 Cost Management (20%)  BAR
 Internal Controls (15%)  AUD
 Technology and Analytics (15%)  Spread throughout the CPA Exam
 CMA Part 2 Topics  Where It Appears in CPA Exam
 Financial Statement Analysis (20%)  FAR / AUD (Analytical Review)
 Corporate Finance (20%)  BAR
 Decision Analysis (20%)  BAR
 Risk Management (10%)  AUD (possibly Audit Risk)
 Investment Decisions (10%)  BAR
 Professional Ethics (15%)  AUD

CMA vs CPA – Which Is Harder?

Now, if you’re looking to compare the two accounting certifications based on difficulty, which is harder? While this question is always subjective, most people will agree that the CPA is a bit harder. In fact, without proper study, CPA candidates might dread their CPA Exam score release date, since the pass rate hovers around 50% across the 4 sections (AUD, FAR, REG, and a CPA Discipline section). However, the CMA can be more useful for accounting professionals. Is it really worth it to go for the harder CPA for reasons other than bragging rights?

How much harder is the CPA than the CMA? Well, again, this is all based on opinions. Overall, how much more difficult the CPA exam feels depends on the types of study materials you are using, your experience, and your education levels.

It also depends on what specific field of work you are planning to go into. People who take the CMA will find a greater focus on management accounting. If this is the field you work in already, this is going to be an easier exam for you. If that is the field you plan to go into, then that might be the better choice between the two exams. We’ll get more into why one could be better than the other below.

CMA vs CPA Pass Rates

When comparing these two certifications, and when considering which is harder, it also helps to look at pass rates.

CMA Pass Rates

Looking at past statistics, we can see that the ICMA used to release CMA passing percentages for each exam part about every 9 months. But the exact time period for the latest CMA pass percentages (40% for Part 1 and 50% for Part 2) is unclear. You can still get a pretty good idea of the average pass rates from this data, however.

Exam Part 2013 2014 2015 2015-2016* 2016-2017 2017-2018 
Part 1  35%  35%  36%  35% 35% 40%
Part 2  42%  49%  55%  52% 50% 50%

*In 2016, the ICMA adjusted when it releases the CMA exam pass rate data.

2020-2023 CMA Pass Rates

Since 2020, the ICMA has not been releasing granular-level CMA pass rate results. Instead, we know that each part of the CMA exam has a pass rate of about 50%.

CPA Pass Rates

Policies have changed, and now the AICPA’s pass rates web page only features the current year’s pass rates. Still, the average is around 50% for the CPA, even when we look at past years’ stats. For 2023, though, the CPA Exam pass rates went down a bit from previous years.

Section First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Cumulative
AUD 47.01% 48.24% 45.64% 46.41% 46.75%
BEC (Replaced with CPA Discipline section in 2024) 56.98% 59.16% 54.90% 38.17% 47.44%
FAR 41.82% 42.78% 44.08% 39.36% 42.12%
REG 58.63% 59.71% 59.13% 54.68% 57.82%

When looking at these pass rates, there are a few things to keep in mind, however. Alone, they are not an indication of which exam is harder. The pass rates for the CPA could be higher because of the lengthy process of getting to the CPA exam. The CMA exam pass rates could be a bit lower because people go into it thinking it’s “easier” and do not properly prepare for it.

Also, there are possibly clearer guidelines on how to study for the CPA Exam, especially if a candidate is using Becker CPA to pass the CPA Exam.

Next, let’s look at some reasons why the CPA might be better.

Why CPA Could be Better

1.  More Established and More Recognized

The CPA qualification dates back to the early 20th century and is, without a doubt, the most established qualification in the accountant industry. Because of this and other reasons, the CPA title is more recognized in the US and in other parts of the world.

2. Higher Entry Barrier

The AICPA and NASBA have been pushing for a uniform CPA prerequisite in all states — the so-called “3E” CPA requirements ask for 150 credit hours with a concentration in accounting, together with 1-2 years of experience verified by an active CPA licensee. The entry barrier is so high that becoming a CPA is a prestige that few people can get, which in turn makes the qualification very valuable.

3. Good for All Types of Accounting Jobs

The CPA is widely recognized and you get the perks no matter where you work in the finance and accounting field, be it public or non-public accounting. On the other hand, the CMA is only useful for those to work and stay in the corporate world.

Finally, let’s look at some reasons why the CMA might be better for you.

Why Others May Prefer CMA

1. More Practical

In reality, most accountants (whether starting as public accountants or not) will end up in the corporate sector. This means that the management accountant skill is more practical in the medium- to long-term for professionals in the accounting industry. In fact, many candidates who went through both CPA and CMA find the materials covered in CMA more interesting and useful in their daily business life while CPA materials are too theoretical.

2. It’s Cheaper and Less Time Consuming

Both exams cost a fortune, but the CMA certification is considerably less. Also, with only 2 parts (vs 4 parts in CPA) it takes less time to study and pass.

3. You Can Take the Exam Before Graduation

If you want to get a fast track, CMA allows you to take the exam before you graduate, although you will have to complete your bachelor’s degree with 2 years of experience to ultimately get the certification.

4. Better Administration Body and “After-Service”

The CPA license is granted by each of the states instead of by a national body. This legacy issue has created a lot of confusion and challenges in the qualifying and application process.

CMA is administrated by one organization, the Institute of Management Accountants. IMA is well-run with fast email responses and provides clear instructions on how to prepare, study, and pass the CMA exam.

After you get the CMA certification and if you choose to stay active, IMA provides everything from the free webinar (for CPE and self-learning) to a forum for members to exchange ideas and build networks. CPA, in comparison, has a Society of CPAs in each state but the support is less impressive.

Here’s another idea for you: What if you get both?

Is It Difficult To Decide?

Why not get both? Indeed, there are many people who get both. Sometimes they get them back-to-back, or they might wait years in between. There are different reasons why someone might get both credentials. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Here are the reasons:

1. There are Considerable Overlaps

While the two exams test for different skills, their core curriculum is accounting. You can expect, roughly speaking, a 30-40% overlap of the two. If you have taken the CPA exam, the CMA exam Part 1 can be considered a harder and more comprehensive version of BAR, which is part of the CPA Disciplines section (Part 2 is somewhat similar to Level 1 of CFA).

2. CPE Hours are Good for Both

Both CPA and CMA require certain hours of continuing professional education. Many CPE courses are good for both. This is a great reason to consider going for them both.

3. A Dual Qualification Makes You Stand Out

I think most people would agree that the CPA is more prestigious but CMA is more practical. If you have a dual qualification, you have the best of two worlds, especially if you can meet the CPA work experience requirements. This could help you get better jobs, or get a raise in your current job.

4. There are Ways to Save if You Go for Both

Since going for two designations will cost more than going for just one, you’ll want to ensure that you save costs wherever possible. That’s why you can find considerable CPA review discounts and CMA review discounts on my sites.

Here’s What My Bloggers Said about CPA vs CMA

Check out these links below to see what some of my bloggers have to say about the CMA when comparing the CPA vs CMA.

Gavin why CMA casey cma exam blogger
Gavin: how he convinced
his parents that CMA is more suitable
Casey: why CMA is
better even for CFOs

Now, What’s Your Decision?

For Your Further Reading

Any Questions?

If you have comments on CMA vs CPA, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment box below.

You can also get more Certified Management Accountant exam tips on study tactics by signing up for my e-course which is completely free. You can learn about the mini e-course here or sign up directly below.

Join us if you want to get tips on how to plan,
study and pass your CMA exam… on your first attempt!

About the Author Stephanie Ng

I am the author of How to Pass The CPA Exam (published by Wiley) and the publisher of this and several accounting professional exam prep sites.

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