If you are looking for a job, the CMA (credential as Certified Management Accountant) as an international renowned degree in management accounting helps you to differentiate yourself from other job applicants. The CMA-Certificate does not only indicate broad international competence in finance and accounting, a holder of the CMA also shows an ability and willingness to pass through a tough selection process in addition to his/her university degree. It is why multinational companies seek candidates with CMA certification to staff challenging positions in their accounting and controlling departments:
“At Microsoft, we look for a combination of solid accounting skills, the ability to think strategically and strong business ethics. If someone is a CMA, we can be more comfortable that the person has mastered these aspects of the profession.” [Bob Laux, CMA, CPA - Director of Technical Accounting and Reporting - Microsoft Corporation]
The successful cooperation between the Institute of Accounting, Control and Auditing (ACA-HSG) of the University of St.Gallen and the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) which offers the CMA Certification roots back to 2009 as one of the first cooperations in Europe. In the meantime, other leading universities (like Erasmus University of Rotterdam) are offering similar programs.
In 2016 Prof. Dr. Klaus Möller, chair of Controlling/Performance Management at the ACA-HSG was awarded with the title „Honorary Professor in Management Accounting“ from the IMA in respect of his leading works in the field of Management Accounting and Performance Management at the edge between research and practice.
CMA Certification of the Institute of Management Accountants [IMA]
Since its founding in 1919, the Institute of Management Accountants - IMA for short - headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey (USA), has developed into the world's leading association for management accountants and currently has more than 140,000 members worldwide. With its Certified Management Accountant® (CMA) certification, the IMA offers a practice-oriented, internationally standardized, and recognized qualification for management accountants and controllers. The impressive feature of the IMA program is the way in which the various dimensions of management accounting are presented from the practice-oriented perspective of the American-influenced accounting approach.
CMA Exam
To pass the CMA exam, students are required to have in-depth knowledge of management accounting, financial accounting and corporate finance. The focus is on integrative understanding between the individual disciplines. In addition to the broad range of topics, the examination format and the great time pressure during the examination also make high demands.
CMA Certificate
The basic requirement for obtaining CMA certification is proof of a bachelor's degree from a recognized university or university of applied sciences. In addition, sufficient professional practice of at least two consecutive years in the controlling or finance area must be proven for the CMA certification. Proof of the two requirements for CMA certification can be provided in advance or within seven years of passing the CMA examinations. Once CMA certification has been achieved, graduates are required to complete continuing professional education (CPE) courses each year. In addition, annual IMA membership fees must be paid to maintain active membership.
The IMA Switzerland Chapter is the Swiss member of the worldwide IMA network and offers a platform for exchange and professional development.
In addition to the education and training of management accountants, networking plays an important role for the IMA. For this reason, the "IMA Switzerland Chapter" was founded in 2009 with the participation of the ACA-HSG. The Swiss Chapter aims at maintaining contacts and networking among the CMAs domiciled in Switzerland. In addition, it organizes and coordinates courses with credit recognition for Continuing Professional Education (CPE), which a CMA must fulfill annually.
For Companies we offer a CMA Inhouse-Education with special focus on the company.
Programmes for continuing education have built a strong competence of the Institute of Accounting, Control and Auditing. Based on experiences in teaching CMA curriculum to students, the ACA-HSG offers Tailoring-Inhouse-Education for the CMA examination preparation to Companies Accounting and Finance Personal.
IMAC is a CMA preparation course for master level students at the University of St.Gallen.
Thanks to intensive negotiations of the Institute for Accounting, Controlling and Auditing (ACA-HSG) of the University of St.Gallen and the willingness of the IMA, exclusively for the participants of the course "IMAC - Integrated Management Accounting Concept (CMA Track)". - Course Number 8,132,1.00 - access to the official CMA course and exam materials at a reduced price. These special conditions are normally granted only to students from the USA, Canada and Mexico. This has created a unique and cost-effective opportunity for IMAC course participants to earn an additional, internationally recognized professional credential in parallel with their degree at the University of St.Gallen. The IMAC course introduces students - through lectures and workshops in a concentrated form - to the CMA exam and at the same time allows students to prove their knowledge in an HSG-internal exam - weighted with 6 ECTS points.
Outstanding Exam Results of IMAC students who took the official CMA Exams.
Top Performers on CMA Exam
The Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) - the certification division of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) - honours the persons with the best CMA exam score. Every year the ICMA offers three exam sessions for two month each to take the two exams (part 1 and part 2). Some thousand individuals take the exam every year. The best 9-12 exam score holders are awarded for their outstanding achievement with a special certificate.
The following IMAC course participants at the University of St. Gallen received this exceptional award. We are very happy about it and congratulate the successful graduates!
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