Finance & Accounting Credential Verification
How to Verify a CMA Certification
The CMA (Certified Management Accountant) is the premier credential for corporate finance and management accounting professionals. The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) issues the CMA and maintains a public directory for verification.
Quick answer
Verify CMA certification through the IMA Member Directory at imanet.org. Search by name to confirm active membership and CMA status. You can also ask the candidate to provide their IMA member number for direct verification. Active CMA status requires current IMA membership and ongoing CPE completion.
What the CMA certification is
The CMA is awarded by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) to accounting and finance professionals who specialize in internal business operations — budgeting, cost management, performance analysis, financial planning, and strategic decision support. It is distinct from the CPA, which focuses on external reporting, auditing, and public accounting.
CMA requirements include:
- › Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution (in any field)
- › Exam: Pass both parts of the CMA exam — Part 1 (Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics) and Part 2 (Strategic Financial Management)
- › Experience: Two years of continuous professional experience in management accounting or financial management
- › IMA membership: Active membership in the Institute of Management Accountants
The IMA reports approximately 140,000 CMA holders worldwide. The credential has strong adoption in corporate finance, FP&A, cost accounting, treasury, and CFO tracks.
How to verify a CMA certification
Step 1: Check the IMA Member Directory
Navigate to imanet.org and use the member search tool to look up the candidate by name. IMA members who have opted into the public directory will appear with their membership status and CMA designation if earned.
IMA also provides a CMA Verification Letter service — candidates can request a letter from IMA confirming their CMA status for employment or compliance purposes. Ask the candidate to supply this if the directory search is inconclusive.
Step 2: Confirm CMA status vs. IMA membership
An IMA member is not necessarily a CMA. IMA membership is open to any finance or accounting professional. The CMA designation is earned separately and requires passing both exam parts and meeting experience requirements.
Look explicitly for the CMA designation in the record — membership alone does not confirm certification.
Step 3: Verify active standing
The CMA requires ongoing IMA membership and annual CPE completion to remain active. A former CMA who has let membership lapse cannot legitimately represent themselves as holding the CMA. The IMA verification process confirms current-year active status.
CMA maintenance requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual IMA membership dues | Required every year; lapse terminates CMA active status |
| CPE credits | 30 hours annually, including 2 hours of ethics |
| Attestation | Annual compliance with IMA Statement of Ethical Professional Practice |
CMA vs. CPA: what each credential means for hiring
The CMA and CPA are complementary credentials that target different career paths. Many finance executives hold both. Understanding the distinction helps you assess whether a candidate's credential matches the role.
| Dimension | CMA | CPA |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing body | IMA (global) | State Board of Accountancy (each U.S. state) |
| Focus | Internal management accounting, FP&A, strategy | External reporting, audit, tax, public accounting |
| Exam structure | 2 parts (FP&A, Strategic Financial Management) | 4 sections (AUD, FAR, REG, BAR/TCP/ISC) |
| License vs. credential | Credential (no practice license) | License (legally required for certain attest work) |
| Verification | IMA member directory | State board of accountancy (each state separately) |
CMA is not a license
Unlike the CPA, the CMA does not confer a state practice license. A CMA holder cannot sign audit opinions or perform statutory attestation work. For roles requiring licensed CPA work (audit partner, controller signing financial statements in certain contexts), verify the CPA separately through the relevant state board of accountancy.
Other management accounting credentials
CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant)
Jointly issued by AICPA and CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants). Earned by CPAs who meet CGMA experience requirements, or by CIMA members. Verify through cgma.org. The CGMA and CMA target similar roles but have different pathways and geographic emphasis.
CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants)
The UK equivalent and predecessor to the CGMA pathway. Heavily used in the UK, Commonwealth, and multinational companies. CIMA members who pass the CGMA exam earn the CGMA designation. Verify through cimaglobal.com.
CIA (Certified Internal Auditor)
Issued by the IIA (Institute of Internal Auditors). Focused on internal audit rather than management accounting. Verify through theiia.org. Sometimes held alongside CMA in larger corporate finance functions.
Verify the degree behind the certification
The CMA requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Use VerifyED to confirm that a candidate's degree is from a legitimately accredited school — and catch diploma mill credentials in your accounting or finance hiring pipeline.
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