CMA – Cost and Management Accountancy

ICAI is the ultimate name in the field of Cost Accountancy. It is the essential professional programme for anyone who dreams of building a rewarding career in Cost Accountancy. ICAI is the statutory professional accountancy body in India. It is also the only licensing and regulatory body of Cost and Management Accountancy profession in the country. Cost and Management Accountancy (CMA) plays an indispensable role in the modern business world. A CMA helps multi-product ventures to gauge the exact cost of every product and service at different stages to minimize the expenditure and ensure maximum utilization of resources. A CMA has to advise various departments on the profitable product mix, taking make-or-buy decisions, and identifying business risks and their mitigation. He/She plays crucial role in decision-making, planning and controlling operations in an organization.

Eligibility for Admission:

Class 10th Passed are eligible for the admission in foundation course.
(Note: Incumbents waiting for the result can apply for provisional admission)

Subjects

PAPER 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS LAWS AND BUSINESS COMMUNICATION (FBLC)
PAPER 2: FUNDAMENTALS OF FINANCIAL AND COST ACCOUNTING (FFCA)
PAPER 3: FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS (FBMS)
PAPER 4: FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT (FBEM)

Eligibility for Admission:

Passed Senior Secondary School Examination (+2) and Foundation Course of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India/Graduation in any discipline other than fine arts / CAT Entry Level-1 of ICAI.

GROUP – I

PAPER 5: BUSINESS LAWS AND ETHICS (BLE)
PAPER 6: FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING (FA)
PAPER 7: DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAXATION (DITX)
PAPER 8: COST ACCOUNTING (CA)

GROUP – II

PAPER 9: OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT (OMSM)
PAPER 10: CORPORATE ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING (CAA)
PAPER 11: FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS DATA ANALYTICS (FMDA)
PAPER 12: MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING (MA)

Eligibility for Admission:

Passed the Intermediate Course of ICAI and Completed 15 months.

Note: Students will be required to select any one of three Elective Papers (20A/20B/20C) at the time of enrolment for the Final Course

GROUP – II

PAPER 13: CORPORATE AND ECONOMIC LAWS (CEL)
PAPER 14: STRATEGIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT(SFM)
PAPER 15: DIRECT TAX LAWS AND INTERNATIONAL TAXATION (DIT)
PAPER 16: STRATEGIC COST MANAGEMENT (SCM)

GROUP – IV

PAPER 17: COST AND MANAGEMENT AUDIT (CMAD)
PAPER 18: CORPORATE FINANCIAL REPORTING (CFR)
PAPER 19: INDIRECT TAX LAWS AND PRACTICE (ITLP)

ELECTIVES

PAPER 20A: STRATEGIC PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS VALUATION (SPMBV)
PAPER 20B: RISK MANAGEMENT IN BANKING AND INSURANCE (RMBI)
PAPER 20C: ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND STARTUP (ENTS)

CMA FAQ

CMA stands for Cost and Management Accountant. It is a professional certification offered by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI). CMAs specialize in cost accounting, financial management, planning, and performance analysis.

Anyone who meets the eligibility criteria can pursue CMA. Here are the basic requirements:

  • CMA Foundation: Pass 10th standard and 12th standard.
  • CMA Intermediate: Pass CMA Foundation or a recognized degree 
  • CMA Final: Clear CMA Intermediate.
  • Foundation: 4 papers
  • Intermediate: 8 papers (2 groups of 4 papers each)
  • Final: 8 papers (2 groups of 4 papers each) 

There is no limit on the number of attempts. However, registration is valid for a certain period:

    • Foundation: Valid for 3 years.
    • Intermediate and Final: Valid for 7 years (may vary with changes in ICMAI policies).

CMA exams are conducted twice a year:

  • June
  • December

CMAs can work in:

  • Cost audit
  • Internal audit
  • Management accounting
  • Finance and budgeting
  • Government organizations
  • Manufacturing & industrial sectors
  • Consultancy and taxation firms
  • Only Objective (MCQ) questions
  • 100 MCQs per paper (no negative marking)
  • Basic theoretical and numerical questions

       Both types:

    • 20 marks – MCQs
    • 80 marks – Descriptive (numerical problems, case studies, short notes)

        Mixed format:

    • 20 marks – MCQs
    • 80 marks – Descriptive, including complex case studies and application-based questions

Yes. CMA students must complete:

  • 15 months of practical training under a practicing CMA or an eligible organization before appearing in Final exams.

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