[NonTradCPA]

Did you get your CMA and later decide to pursue a CPA? Why?

The reason I ask is that I work in industry and plan to for my foreseeable future. I think the CMA would enhance my skill set, but I am afraid it won’t have the same effect on my resume. Any advice?

[jhawkins1010]

I'm curious to see what responses you get to this. I have been hearing a lot more people mention the CMA these days. What throws me off is that most people that I know that are talking about it are planning on taking it because they don't want to tackle the CPA exam. With this being said, I struggle with seeing the purpose of both. I think I saw somewhere that the CMA has more practical application? I guess I was under the impression that the CPA was the big umbrella and the other certifications were more concentrated, which brings me back to my question of … why take both?

I'm not knocking anyone that has a CMA or intentions of getting one … just trying to educate myself a little bit. The CMA seems to really be taking off. I have to admit, my feelings will be pretty hurt if I finally conquer this CPA beast and then the CMA becomes the “certification to have”.

By the way … I am also industry and have been my entire career.

[Anonymous]

I did. I am an Accounting Manager in a Manufacturing Plant, so most of the topics covered in the CMA were extremely relevant to what I do every day. It seems in my industry, more than others, CMA is well regarded by employers – so much so that typically they ask for the experience plus CPA, MBA, or CMA.

Not so much in other industries, where the gold standard IS the CPA certification.

I am currently attempting the CPA exam. Why? I think, for me, I was intimidated by the thought of the CPA exam. By doing and passing the exams for the CMA, I have a bit more confidence approaching the CPA exams, as well as having a great foundation for BEC.

[How many letters do you need]

Interesting post OP! I was toggling back and forth for a while, trying to decide which one to tackle. Finally decided on the CMA last year, because I am currently in a manufacturing role that is a hybrid finance/cost accounting position and I realized I knew very little about cost accounting. Wanted knowledge + respect that comes with the CMA in a cost accounting function.

As for why I am now pursuing my CPA, I just don't think the CMA is good enough for what I want to do in the future. It's a great certification to have (sort of a specialty certification in my mind) and if somebody told me they wanted to go no further than say, finance or cost accounting manager in a manufacturing setting, I would say that's all you would ever need. I, however, plan to progress in my career a little bit further. I'm pushing to be a director of finance, but unfortunately for me, even though I have TONS of finance/FP&A experience, and some accounting experience, most companies want you to have a CPA if you oversee an accounting function (even if you have a controller level working underneath you).

I guess more or less, you could say I got my CMA for now, but getting my CPA for the future.

I think getting both has it's merrits, but agree with poster above; only manufacturing tends to consider it on the same level of the CPA. All other industries will be curious about it, ask you questions about it in an interview, and it may help you stand out some, but it won't necessarily give you a huge edge.

MBA,CMA,CPA, CFF?, ABV?

[punkndisorderly]

I was considering the CMA instead of the CPA. What finally put me off the CMA and spurred me to go for the CPA instead:

-There's no getting around the fact that the CPA is the gold standard, regardless of industry. It's either you have it or you don't.

-CPA's seem to look at the designation as a fraternity. They seem to want to hire other CPA's and look down their noses at anyone that isn't a CPA. My boss is a perfect example. She's actually said “An accounting degree without having a CPA is just a waste.” She also thinks any other designation is just meaningless fluff.

-The AICPA is coming out with their own managerial accounting designation and I felt like eventually it might dilute any value of the CMA

AUD: scheduled 5/3/14 (so far to go)
FAR:
BEC:
REG:

Completed: CFE, CGFM

[JR1234]

I just finished the CPA exam and I'm debating if I should get the CMA as well.

I agree with punkndisorderly, boss with CPA tends to hire staff with CPA designation. My boss give a lot more weight to a CPA than the one that is not. Even they work on the same project and produce the same report. Probably it gives them a peace of mind that it was done correctly?

When I was looking for job, I only came across two job postings that I saw required/preferred to have a CMA, but it's CPA OR CMA. And both of them is in manufacturing. I'm in private industry but not manufacturing, so I'm not sure if I should spend couple thousands more on getting and maintaining a CMA license.

AUD - 77 11/2012
FAR - 83 07/2013
REG - 86 08/2013
BEC - 80 11/2013

Ethic - 90 02/2014

[Study Monk]

I haven't really thought about the manufacturing/cost accounting focus of the CMA. It would be interesting to compare the focus of the CMA with the focus of the upcoming CIMA that will be offered by the AICPA. Depending on your career you might choose one destination over the other. A person could also consider the likely growth in the manufacturing industry in our country when deciding to pursue the CMA.

I spoke to an ancient wise man who sent me on a mushroom induced journey through an ancient forest to find the key to passing the CPA exam. A talking spider monkey told me to throw the last of my drinking water in the dirt to find what I was looking for. So I followed his instructions and the following message appeared in the soil:

"Do 5000 multiple choice questions for each section"

[Anonymous]

I am a CMA since 2012, and now pursuing the CPA, why? because @ How many letters do you need said it best

“I got my CMA for now, but getting my CPA is for the future.”

[Author]

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