Practical Experience Requirements

Practical experience is an essential component of the accreditation process. The integration of on-the-job experience with professional studies helps candidates develop management skills and assures employers that as a CMA, tasks and roles are performed at a standard expected of a professional accountant.

All candidates must demonstrate competency through verifiable work experience. Candidates must be able to apply the acquired knowledge and skills from the CMA Competency Map at an overall Competency Stage 2 (CS-2) level, also known as Basic Proficiency.

Candidates are required to meet the following Practical Experience requirements in order to graduate from the CMA program:

1. be evaluated at an overall CS-2 level or higher prior to accreditation
2. Have achieved a minimum of 24 months of valid practical experience, including prior and concurrent experience
3. Have gained at least 12 months practical experience concurrent with the Strategic Leadership Program or MBA-CMA Program.

A maximum of 12 months of relevant and validated work experience gained prior to entering the SLP or MBA-CMA will also be considered.

For more details on practical experience reporting and evaluation, please click here.

If you have questions regarding practical experience please contact your local CMA office.