FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

These are our responses to the MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS regarding ICMA.

  1.  Is ICMA (Australia) linked to other accounting bodies?

  2.  What are the other professional accounting bodies in Australia?

  3.  How recognised is the ICMA?

  4.  Tell me more about the Grades of Membership?

  5.  If I have a recognised accounting qualification, do I still have to become a GMA or AMA first?

  6.  Do I have the relevant experience?

  7.  How do I qualify to become a CMA?

  8.  What do you mean by “recognised” accounting qualification?

  9.  What do you mean by an “accredited” university?

  10.  Which Universities and other providers conduct subjects accredited by ICMA in the CMA Program?

  11.  Is there a membership category for those who don’t have an accredited degree or approved professional qualification, but still interested in managerial accounting?

  12.  Is the PNA Qualification of the NIA recognised as an accounting degree equivalent qualification by ICMA?

  13.  Do I have to sit exams to become a CMA?

  14.  Where do the Courses run?

  15.  Can I do the CMA program by Distant Education?

  16.  If I don’t have an accounting degree, can I still become a CMA?

  17.  If I have an MBA (but don’t have an accounting degree), can I still become a CMA?

  18.  If I am a part qualified accountant, can I still become a CMA?

  19.  If I have an Australian TAFE Advanced Diploma, can I still become a CMA?

  20.  Will I get University Credit for the subjects I do with ICMA?

  21.  Is the CMA qualification recognised for immigration into Australia?

  22.  Where can I get more information?

    1. Is ICMA (Australia) linked to other accounting bodies?

    The Institute of Certified Management Accountants (Australia) is an independent Australian body. Its patrons are Bill Dix, formerly the Chairman of Qantas and Ford, and Professor John Miller, formally Director of Consumer Affairs and President of CPA Australia.

     

    The Institute distributes the world-class "CFO Magazine”, published by the Australian Financial Review to all its members. The ICMA's research journal, the 'Journal of Applied Accounting Research' is co-edited by Prof Garry Marchant of the University of Melbourne and Professor Janek Ratnatunga of Monash University.

     

    It is not linked to any other professional body like IMA (USA), CIMA (UK), SMA (Canada), etc   

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    2. What are the other professional accounting bodies in Australia?

    The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia (ICAA) and CPA Australia are the two large accounting bodies in Australia. There are two smaller bodies, the National Institute of Accountants-NIA (that was operating previously at the Diploma/'Accounting Technician' level) and the Institute of Certified Management Accountants-ICMA (operating at the Masters degree 'Accounting Specialist' level).

    The education programs of the ICMA mainly consist of a Graduate Conversion Program for non-accounting graduates and a Certification (CMA) program for accountants. In Australia and other countries, these subjects are taught within university masters degree programs such as the MBA and Master of Professional Accounting programs. As such, whilst the NIA originated as a professional body for those holding Technical College Advanced Diplomas, and the Chartered and CPA qualifications are for undergraduate degree holders, the ICMA is a specialised body at the post-graduate end of the profession. In fact, most members have masters’ degrees or are already qualified as a CA or CPA, and must have at least 5 years relevant professional experience. 

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    3. How recognised is the ICMA?
    The ICMA is registered under the Associations Incorporations Act 1981 (Vic.) with members entitled under its Rules to use the post-nominals ‘Certified Management Accountant (CMA)’, ‘Associate Management Accountant (AMA)’, ‘Graduate Management Accountant (GMA)’, "Registered Cost Accountant (RCA)", and ‘Management Accounting Affiliate (MAA)’ membership categories.  

    True “recognition” is, however, only earned in the market. As a new body, having just over 2,500 members (with over 1,500 CMAs), it is already well recognised in its niche market, as a specialist qualification for already qualified 'generalist' accountants who which pursue a professional qualification undertaking two advanced subjects at the Masters Degree level.

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    4. Tell me more about the Grades of Membership?
    All information on Membership is available from the Membership section at www.cmawebline.org

    5. If I have a recognised accounting qualification, do I still have to become a GMA or AMA first?
    No, you may wish to undertake the CMA subjects as a student member, and upon completion, apply for CMA membership directly if you have over 5 years relevant experience.

    6. Do I have the relevant experience?
    All information on relevant experience is available from the Membership section at www.cmawebline.org

    7. How do I qualify to become a CMA?

    Those with an "Accounting" background (such as an accounting degree, CA or CPA) need to do 2 specialist electives to get the CMA certification as follows:

    • Strategic Cost Management
    • Strategic Business Analysis

     

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    8. What do you mean by “recognised” accounting qualification?

    A recognised accounting qualification is either :

    1.      An undergraduate degree with an accounting specialisation (at least 25% of the degree must be accounting and finance subjects) from an “accredited” university, or

    2.      An postgraduate degree (e.g. MCom, MBA) with an accounting specialisation (at least 25% of the degree must be accounting and finance subjects) from an “accredited” university, or

    3.      A professional accounting qualification from a body granted a Royal Charter or Government Charter. Most “Certified” bodies are also acceptable, however, in some countries, as the word “Certified” is not a restricted term, there are some accounting bodies using “certified” in their title that would be unacceptable to the ICMA as a recognised accounting qualification, or

    4.     Those holding membership of the following accounting professional bodies HAVE been recognised in the past by the ICMA as having a recognised accounting qualification.

    ·         All Chartered Accounting bodies worldwide

    ·         AICPA (USA)

    ·         CPA Australia

    ·         MIA (Malaysia)

    ·         MICPA (Malaysia)

    ·         ICPAS (Singapore)

    ·         ICWA (India)

    ·         ICMA (Pakistan)

    ·         ICMA (Bangladesh) 

    ·         CIMA (UK)

    ·         CACA (UK)

    ·         ICSA (UK)

    ·         CGA (Canada)

    ·         SMA (Canada)

    ·         CPA (Philippines)

    ·         ICMA (PNG)

    ·         CPAC (China)

    ·         LACPA (Lebanon)

    ·         CPA Ireland

    ·         Saudi Organisation of CPAs (Middle-East)

    Note: CMA members of IMA USA are required to complete 2 units of the GMA Stage 4 program: Financial Management and Financial Statement Analysis. 

     

    Those holding membership of the following accounting (and related) bodies HAVE NOT been recognised in the past by the ICMA as having a recognised accounting qualification.

    ·         Non-CMA members of IMA (USA)

    ·         Association of International Accountants (UK)

    ·         Association of Cost and Executive Accountants (UK)

    ·         Society of Certified Management Accountants (Sri Lanka)

    ·         Society of Company and Commercial Accountants (UK)

    ·         Society of International Accounting Technicians (UK)

    ·         International Institute of Certified Management Accountants (USA)

    ·         Associate of the Institute of Co-operative and Management Accountants, (Malaysia).

    ·         CPA International (there are many bodies with this name operating in different countries)

    ·         Institute of Financial Accountants (UK)

    ·         Chartered Financial Management Analyst (USA)

    ·         Chartered Portfolio & Investment Manager (USA)

    ·         Chartered Trust and Estate Planner (USA)

    ·         Certified Economic Policy Analyst (USA)

    ·         The Registered Financial Planners Institute (USA)

    ·         Society of Registered Financial Planners Limited (HK)

    ·         Institute of Financial Consultants (Certified Financial Consultant)

    ·         Association of Financial Planners (UK)

    ·         Chartered Business Administrator (USA)

    ·         Chartered Business Administrator (Canada)

    ·         Canadian of Institute of Professional Accountants

    ·         Institute of Professional Financial Managers (IFC USA),

    ·         American Academy of Financial Management (AAFM-USA)*

    ·         Institute of Professional Financial Managers (UK)

    ·         Association Of Certified Fraud Examiners (USA)

    ·         The Institute of Commercial & Financial Accountants of Southern Africa (South Africa)

    ·         Association of Certified Management Accountants (UK)

    ·         Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Commonwealth

    ·         Association of Certified Public Accountants (U.K.)

    ·         Institute of Executives and Managers (U.K.)

    ·         Institute of Service Industries Management (U.K.)

    ·         The Institute of Co-Operative and Management Accountants, Malaysia.

    ·         Association of Incorporated Secretaries and Administrators (U.K.)

    ·         Institute of Certified Public Accountants (New Zealand)

    ·         Institute of Certified Management Accountants of New Zealand

    ·         All members of the U.K. based Confederation of Independent Accountancy Bodies (CIAB).

     

    * The AAFM conducts non-examination seminars leading to a host of post-graduate sounding certifications such as Master Financial Professional, Certified Cost Accountant etc., all of which are NOT recognised by ICMA for membership purposes.  

                    

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    9. What do you mean by an “accredited” university?
    In most countries the word University is a protected name, and granted to institutions after significant demonstration of academic rigor and research scholarship. However in some countries the word “University” is registered as a business name, and degrees are granted for “life experience”. A majority of such universities are in the USA and UK, but there are some in Asia, Europe and Africa. The ICMA considers as “accredited” only those universities accredited by the 5 regional accrediting agencies in the USA, or those that have a Royal Charter as a university in the UK. In most other countries, as the word “University” is strictly controlled, the ICMA will recognise all such institutions registered in their countries as universities.

    Those holding “degrees” of the following “Universities” HAVE NOT been recognised in the past by the ICMA as having a recognised university degree.

    • Pacific Western University (USA)

    • Columbia Pacific University (USA)

    • American University of Asia (Sri Lanka)

    • American University of London

    • Browns International University

    • Michigan International University (USA)

    • European University of Ireland

    • Fairfax University (USA)

    • Clayton University (USA)

    • Newport University (USA)

    • International University (USA)

    • Rushmore University (USA)

    • Somerset University (UK)

    • Southern Pacific University (S.P.U.) (St. Kitts & Nevis)

    • Washington International University (USA)

    • Preston University (USA) and affiliated campuses around the world

    • Sussex College of Technology (UK)

    • Rochville University (USA)

    • Calamus International University 

    • Royal International University (Virgin Islands)

    • Wisconsin International University

    • Wessex University

    • Canadian College of Professional Management

    • Cosmopolitan University, Chile

    • Atlantic International University, USA

    • Pebble Hill University, USA

    • Mist University

    • Irish University Business School

    • Novus University (USA)

    • Canadian School of Finance and Management (Postgraduate Diploma in Management Accounting)

    • American College of Computer & Information Sciences                                                                             

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    [Please see www.unidegree.com  (under "Accreditation") for a full list of unaccredited universities]

    10. Which Universities and other providers conduct subjects accredited by ICMA in the CMA Program?

    From time to time, the Institute grants Recognised Provider Institutions (RPI) status to organisations in branch locations in Australia and overseas. The following organisations have been authorised to provide training to both prospective and current members of the Institute.

    ·        
    Wharton Institute of Technology and Science (WITS), Australia

    ·          Australian Institute of Finance and Management (AIFM), Australia

    ·         The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Sri Lanka (ICASL), Sri Lanka

    ·         Imperial College of Business Studies (ICBS), Sri Lanka

    ·          IPMI (Indonesian Institute for Management Development), Indonesia

    ·         Multimedia College (MMC), Malaysia

    ·         Business Sense, Inc. Philippines

    ·         D'Souza Financial Services (Mumbai), India 

    ·          First Canvas Training Ventures Pvt. Ltd., India

    ·         Graduate School of Management (Pacific), PNG

    ·         HBS for Certification and Training, Lebanon

    ·         Wisdom Group of Institutions (UAE)  

     

    The following CMA Branches also can be contacted for their training programs via ICMA Recognised Provider Institutions (RPIs) :

    ·         cmaglobal

    ·         cmaaustralia

    ·         cmahongkong

    ·          cmaphilippines

    ·         cmaindia

    ·         cmasingapore

    ·         cmalebanon

    ·         cmadubai 

    ·         cmapng

    ·         cmasrilanka

    ·         cmamalaysia

    ·         cmachina

    ·         cmaeurope

    ·         cmaafrica

     

    Further, the Institute has accredited a number of universities to provide in-house training and examinations of the CMA programme. These universities are as follows :

    ·         Monash University (AUS)

    o  MBA 5050: Strategic Cost Management

    o  MBA 5030: Strategic Business Analysis

    ·         Deakin University (AUS)

    o  MAF754 Enterprise Risk Management

    o  MAA710 Business Advisory Services

    ·         Central Queensland University (CQU) (AUS)

    o  Management Accounting Systems

    o  Strategic Cost Management

    ·         Griffith University (AUS)

    ·         Macquarie University (AUS)

    o  ACCG828: Management Control Systems

    o  ACCG811: Management Accounting: Strategy and Control

    ·         Sydney University (AUS)

    o  ACCT 6006: Advanced Managerial Accounting

    o  ACCT 6005: Management Control Systems

    ·         University of South Australia (AUS)

    ·         ACU National (Australian Catholic University) (AUS)

    o  ACCT605-Strategic Resource Management

    o  ACCT 605-Strategic Managerial Accounting

    ·         University of Balamand (Lebanon)

    o    Advanced Management Accounting

    o    Advanced Strategic Management Accounting

    ·         Royal Roads University (Canada)