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Yes — you can absolutely earn a Management Accounting Certificate online.

In fact, SNHU offers its Graduate Certificate in Management Accounting exclusively online and courses are asynchronous. This means you can do your classwork when and where you want, making school more manageable if you have to balance a job, family or personal commitments.

Benefits of SNHU's online, asynchronous learning include:

• 24/7 access: Everything for your courses is right at your fingertips – at all times.
• Convenience: Balance your individual course or degree program with work and other outside responsibilities.
• Affordability: SNHU offers some of the most affordable tuition rates in the nation.
• No set class times: Participate in courses on your own schedule without needing to meet at set times.
• No commute: Earn your degree from whenever you feel most comfortable — no travel required.

SNHU has offered online learning since 1995 and is dedicated to providing you both the freedom and structure you need to be successful.

Management accounting is a method of accounting that creates statements, reports and documents to help management make better decisions related to their business's performance.

Certified Management Accountants (CMAs) are experts at:

• Preparing financial statements
• Financial planning and analysis
• Internal or external auditing
• Budget preparation and reporting
• Management of general ledger or balance sheets
• Financial forecasting
• Business decision making
• Cost analysis and risk evaluation

A Certified Management Accountant (CMA) can pursue a range of roles with job functions related to cost and managerial accounting. These roles include, but are not limited to:

• Accountant/auditor: Survey, analyze and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice or evaluate statements prepared by others.
• Budget analyst: Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy and conformance with procedures and regulations.
• Financial manager: Plan, direct or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities and other financial activities of an establishment.
• Management analyst: Direct organizational studies, design systems and prepare operations manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently.
• Financial/investment analyst: Conduct analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of institutions, including valuation of businesses.
• Financial risk specialist: Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity or economic state of an organization.

The Certified Management Exam (CMA) Exam is intentionally designed to test your intellectual limits. It has global recognition and is respected in over 150 countries.¹

The exam is separated into two parts covering 12 competencies¹:

CMA Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance and Analytics

• 15% External Financial Reporting Decisions
• 20% Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting
• 20% Performance Management
• 15% Cost Management
• 15% Internal Controls
• 15% Technology and Analytics

CMA Part 2: Strategic Financial Management

• 20% Financial Statement Analysis
• 20% Corporate Finance
• 25% Decision Analysis
• 10% Risk Management
• 10% Investment Decisions
• 15% Professional Ethics

Yes, you can take the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Exam without experience. However, even if you pass the exam, you'll be unable to successfully secure a CMA designation without having met the work and experience requirements set by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary was $79,880 for accountants and auditors in 2023 — with the highest 10% earning more than $137,280.²

To earn a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation, you must¹:

1. Join the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) as a member
2. Enroll as a CMA candidate
3. Pass the CMA exam
4. Meet the education and work experience requirements

According to the IMA, CMA Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance and Analytics requires 170 study hours on average, which you can achieve within 10-13 weeks. CMA Part 2: Strategic Financial Management, on the other hand, takes about 130 study hours and 8-11 weeks.¹

There is no accounting certificate that can be plainly labeled as the easiest. It all depends on what areas of accounting interest you most and which certificate suits your skill set best.

SNHU offers several graduate-level accounting certificates:

1. Graduate Certificate in Accounting
2. Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting & Fraud Examination
3. Graduate Certificate in Management Accounting

You may also take advantage of one of SNHU's graduate-level online CPA certificates:

1. Graduate Certificate in Business Analysis & Reporting for Accounting
2. Graduate Certificate in Tax Compliance & Planning
3. Graduate Certificate in Information Systems & Controls

Yes, a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) is an accountant with a globally recognized credential that represents expertise in financial accounting and strategic management.

According to the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), 83% of CMAs surveyed agreed the certification boosted their professional confidence.¹ In addition, the IMA also reported that CMAs earn 21% higher median annual compensation than their noncertified peers.¹

In 2020, the Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA), the certification division of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), announced a worldwide pass rate of 45% on CMA Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance and Analytics and CMA Part 2: Strategic Financial Management.¹

No, you cannot take the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Exam online. The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) provides test centers across the globe where candidates can take the test.¹

Yes, management accounting is in demand. Certified Management Accountant (CMA) earning potential reported by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) provides a great illustration of this demand¹:

• 58% higher median annual compensation for CMAs vs. noncertified peers.
• 50% higher median salary for CMAs aged 30-39 vs. noncertified peers

Additionally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 4% through 2032 — that's 67,400 new jobs each year.²

Yes, it's possible to get both a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) license.

For someone with a CPA designation, becoming a CMA can help open doors to different sectors, like corporate accounting.

Conversely, someone who's already a CMA might find a CPA designation helpful, because it can help them gain more advanced knowledge of taxation, auditing and day-to-day accounting.