CA vs US CMA: Differences & Factors to Help You Decide

There are two paths to becoming a management accountant. On one side, you have the Chartered Accountant program. On the other side, the US CMA course. Both are highly prestigious certifications that can lead to a rewarding accounting career in the finance industry. The two certifications also have a few dissimilarities to consider.

The CA can lead to great opportunities with Indian companies and government firms. The US CMA is more suited for MNCs and larger companies. The CA and US CMA course details also differ in structure and content. To pick the ideal accounting course, you must ask the right questions. Many students want to know if the CMA is more difficult than CA. When pitting CA vs CMA, which is better for management accounting? Some students might not even know the full form of the CA and CMA. So let’s take a deeper look at the features of these two programs to help you make an informed choice.

Also Read- Is US CMA Worth It in India? Read The Benefits and Disadvantages

CA and US CMA course details

What is CA?

The Chartered Accountants course is one of India’s most renowned accounting certifications. CA professionals are recognised for their expertise in accounting, auditing and taxation. The program is managed by the ICAI, a government regulatory body.

What do chartered accountants do?

1. Prepare and analyse financial statements.
2. Conduct internal and external audits.
3. Tax planning, filing returns and all other tax matters.
4. Offer advice during M&A deals or legal finance issues.
5. Ensure government tax laws and corporate regulations are followed.
6. Investigate financial irregularities or fraud cases.

How to become a chartered accountant?

The ICAI has created a three-level course structure. The US CMA and CA syllabi differ in key ways. Let’s examine the CA curriculum first.

CA Foundation

1. For students who have completed 10+2 exams from a recognised college.
2. It is a four-month course, and exams are held twice a year.
3. You can register during your 12th year but must pass the exams to qualify for the CA course.
4. Postgraduates or professional certification holders can skip the CA foundation and start from the Intermediate level.

CA Intermediate

1. Students who have cleared the CA foundational course can take this level along with graduates and professional certificate holders.
2. To qualify for the intermediate level, commerce graduates must score at least 55 per cent in their exams, and non-commerce students need a minimum of 60 per cent.
3. The course is for eight months, and exams are held twice a year.

CA Final

1. Open to students who have completed the intermediate course.
2. You should also finish articleship training (3 years of work experience) to be allowed to take the CA final exam.
3. The course is for six months, and exams are held twice a year.

 

The CA course takes 4.5 to 5 years to complete starting from the foundational level to the articleship. This is a significant difference between US CMA and CA, as you’ll see later.

What is articleship training?

You need at least three years of work experience under a practising chartered accountant.

Students can register for the training after completing group 1 or both groups of the CA intermediate finals. They are paid a stipend and exposed to important areas of accounting, such as auditing, preparing financial statements, taxation, corporate laws, GST filing, and consulting work.

Career opportunities for chartered accountants:

Chartered Accountants can work in multiple sectors, such as MNCs, public-sector firms, private companies and as consultants. The ICAI has mutual recognition agreements with countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia, so your certification can help you find work in these nations.

What is US CMA?

The Certified Management Accountant is a globally recognised professional certification in management accounting and financial management. It was created by the Institute of Management Accountants in the USA but is now available in over 150 countries. Students learn important concepts such as financial planning, analysis, strategic decision-making, and professional ethics.

What do US CMA professionals do?

1. Manage financial information to help make productive decisions about the company.
2. Create budgets, forecasts and financial plans.
3. Analyse cost allocation and cost control methods.
4. Calculate the level of risks in various investments and business processes.
5. Offer strategic planning, financial insights and business analysis.
6. Manage finance teams as a leader
7. Comply with government and corporate laws and regulations.

How to become a US CMA professional?

The CMA US course has two levels.

Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance and Analytics

Part 2: Strategic Financial Management

1. You need a bachelor’s degree from an IMA-approved college.
2. Undergraduate students can take the Part 1 and Part 2 exams but must submit their degree before receiving the CMA certification.
3. Register as an IMA member first, then enrol for the CMA exam.
4. You need a minimum score of 360 out of 500 on each paper to pass.
5. The IMA board requires each student to have 2 years of continuous work experience in accounting before they receive their CMA certifications.

What are the US CMA work experience requirements?

Students need at least 2 years of work experience in management accounting or financial management. They should be able to apply their skills and expertise in financial analysis, budgeting, strategic decision-making or risk management. You must submit proof of your work to receive your certification. The IMA permits relevant experience before or after the course.

Career opportunities for US CMA professionals:

The US CMA certification is globally acclaimed. This makes you an international accountant who can work in over 150 countries, including India. Multinational corporations and banks such as Accenture, PwC, EY, HSBC, Amazon and JP Morgan are known to hire US CMA professionals in India.

Also Read- ACCA vs US CMA – Detailed Differences, Similarities & What’s Best For You?

CA vs US CMA: comparison of differences

FEATURES	US CMA	CA
Course Focus	Management accounting and financial management	Financial and management accounting
Curriculum	Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance and Analytics Part 2: Strategic Financial Management	Foundational, intermediate and final levels.
Global recognition	It is recognised in over 150 countries, including the USA, UK, Canada, UAE, Australia, Germany, and Switzerland.	It is predominantly recognised in India but is accepted as a CPA-equivalent in a few countries.
Eligibility	Undergraduate students can take the exams but will only receive certification after submitting their degrees.	Students can join the foundation course after 10+2 Graduates or working professionals
Duration of course	6 months to a year (excluding work experience)	4.5 to 5 years (including work experience)
Cost	Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakhs (including coaching fees)	Rs 2 lakhs to Rs 3.5 lakhs (including coaching fees)
Annual salaries	Entry level: Rs 6 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs Senior level: Rs 15 lakhs to Rs 30 lakhs	Entry level: Rs 7 lakhs to Rs 9 lakhs Senior level: Rs 15 lakhs to Rs 25 lakhs

 

Also Read- 7 Courses Like CA You Can Pursue In 2025

Why Proschool’s US CMA course is perfect for you

Proschool’s US CMA course is a fantastic option for students to fast-track their careers in management accounting. They have designed a coaching program with the latest IMA-approved syllabus, ensuring comprehensive exam preparation. Students are taught by expert faculty who provide industry-centric insights, offer doubt-clearing sessions and use active learning methods. The professors bridge the gap between knowledge and practical application, ensuring all students become proficient in the course material.

Highlights of Proschool’s course:

1. Flexible learning options with online and offline classes
2. The course is tailored to suit working professionals and full-time students.
3. Multiple resources are available, such as advanced prep books, learning videos and full-length mock tests.
4. Students receive customised study plans and revision classes.
5. You can take the entire module a second time for free if you fail the exams.
6. There is a large Q&A bank of 90 essay questions and 4,000 MCQs for exam practice.
7. You also get recruitment training with mock interview sessions, resume writing and placement assistance.

Conclusion

It is a tough decision to make if you don’t have all the facts and features before you. Your choice is easy once you understand the main difference between CMA and CA.

The India CA is ideal for those who want to work in India in auditing, accounting or taxation jobs. The US CMA is perfect if you want a career in management accounting and make key financial decisions for international corporations. So have you decided which is better — CA or CMA US?

FAQs

Can I do CMA USA after CA?

It is a good idea to pursue CMA USA after completing CA. The certifications complement each other and can open up a variety of new opportunities for you. The CMA US will also boost your CA when applying for jobs abroad.

What is the main difference between US CMA and CA?

The US CMA is globally recognised by corporations worldwide, including India. The CA is better suited for companies within India.

Is there a higher demand for US CMA or CA professionals?

There is a high demand for both types of professionals. The preference depends on the company and job profile. When applying for government jobs, a chartered accountant will be preferred over a US CMA professional, whereas MNCS would rather hire a CMA candidate.

Is US CMA more difficult than CA?

No. The CA course is tougher as it has a bigger syllabus and the exams are far more rigorous. You only have to take two exams in the US CMA course.