Accounting Career Center » Increasing the awareness of a great profession.
After you've become an accountant, you may choose to go on to earn a specialized certification, license, or other credential in accounting. Doing so puts you a step ahead of uncredentialed accountants and may open up additional job opportunities for you.
We discussed the certified public accountant (CPA) designation in some detail at CPA Requirements and CPA Exam. Whether or not you choose to pursue a CPA designation, you might be interested in pursuing a certified management accountant designation, or CMA.
To become a CMA, you must meet the education and experience requirements and pass the CMA Exam. The information on the CMA Exam is available at www.imanet.org/certification.
Passing the CMA Exam demonstrates that you have a strong proficiency in management accounting and financial management. The time you spend reviewing and learning the material covered on the CMA Exam will make you a better accountant. You will become a better management accountant if you are already working in industry. If you are working at a CPA firm as a public accountant, you will also become a better CPA. Since most accountants will eventually work in areas outside of public accounting, the CMA credential is a great investment.
Use the following link to learn more about the CMA Exam content, format, and requirements:
http://www.imanet.org/cma_certification/about_the_cma.aspx
There are several sources for CMA review courses and materials. Here is our listing which provides links to their websites:
Below is our listing of various certifications, credentials, and other designations that will help you distinguish yourself in the accounting field.
| Certification | Certification Granted By | Additional Information |
| CPA Certified Public Accountant |
Uniform CPA Exam Licensing by State (see State CPA Requirements) |
www.aicpa.org www.cpa-exam.org www.nasba.org |
| CMA Certified Management Accountant |
IMA (Institute of Management Accountants) | www.imanet.org |
| CIA Certified Internal Auditor |
The Institute of Internal Auditors | www.theiia.org |
| PFS Personal Financial Specialist |
Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Section of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants | pfp.aicpa.org |
| CFP Certified Financial Planner |
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. | www.cfp.net |
| CFE Certified Fraud Examiner |
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners | www.acfe.com |
| NAFA National Association of Forensic Accountants |
National Association of Forensic Accountants | www.nafanet.com |
| EA Enrolled Agent |
Internal Revenue Service | www.irs.org |
| CGFM Certified Government Financial Manager |
Advancing Government Accountability | www.agacgfm.org |
| CB Certified Bookkeeper |
American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers | www.aipb.org |
| CPB Certified Public Bookkeeper |
National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers | www.nacpb.org |
| CPP Certified Payroll Professional |
American Payroll Association | www.americanpayroll.org |
| FPC Fundamental Payroll Certification |
American Payroll Association | www.americanpayroll.org |
| QuickBooks ProAdvisor | Intuit Inc. | proadvisor.intuit.com |
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