Step 3: CMA Professional Studies

CMA Strategic Leadership Program

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What if I have to miss a class?

Attendance is mandatory. In extreme circumstances CMA may opt to accommodate the student but this is outside of normal practice.

2. Can I defer the program?

Yes, but it is strongly discouraged. Students will be required to use the knowledge required from passing the CMA Entrance Exam in the CMA Strategic Leadership Program. Students will further develop this knowledge and related skills in the first year of the program and implement them in the second year.

3. What if I do not have work experience previous to beginning the program?

Students registered in the CMA Strategic Leadership Program are not required to have work experience prior to beginning the program. However, students will be subject to CMA’s practical experience requirement upon beginning the program.

4. What is CMA’s practical experience requirement

CMA requires students enrolled in their professional studies to be employed full-time in the realm of management accounting. Technically speaking, students are required to obtain 12 consecutive months of full-time employment concurrent with the program at the mid-to-senior management-level. For detailed information on CMA’s practical experience requirement, please click here.

5. What if I do not meet the practical experience requirements?

Students are required to defer their studies or defer their convocation until they have accumulated 12 months of consecutive work experience, at the desired level, concurrent with the CMA Strategic Leadership.

6. If I am eligible to enter CMA Strategic Leadership Program, am I eligible for the combined MBA-CMA Program?

Yes, currently the graduate schools that partner with CMA to offer the combined MBA-CMA Program do not require previous work experience or the successful completion of the GMAT. This is subject to change without notice.

7. What if I fail the CMA Case Exam?

Students may re-write the CMA Case Exam in August of the same year without delaying their studies.

8. What if I fail the CMA Board Report?

Students who do not successfully complete the CMA Board Report are permitted to re-attempt the following year. A second unsuccessful attempt at the Board Report warrants students to re-take the second year of the CMA Strategic Leadership Program.

9. What if I have to relocate while enrolled in the program?

The CMA Strategic Leadership Program material is the same regardless of the location. Students are permitted to relocate while enrolled in the program. Please contact our office program coordinator for further details.

10. I am not from Canada; do I have to pay international fees?

No, CMA does not charge additional fees for international students wishing to enroll in the CMA Strategic Leadership Program.

11. Do I receive a tax receipt for this program?

Yes, a tax receipt will be issued to all students in the CMA Strategic Leadership Program.

12. Do employers generally pay for the CMA program?

In Canada and Bermuda it is common for companies to cover all costs associated with obtaining your CMA designation. Employers in the Caribbean region are less consistent in providing financial support. Note that scholarships are available to subsidize the cost of the CMA program.

13. Do I have to send another transcript if I have already had an official transcript evaluation?

No, you are not required to provide a second official transcript if CMA already has one on file. Note that if your official transcript changes CMA will require an updated official transcript.