To become a CMA (Certified Management Accountant), you need to join the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), enroll in the CMA program, pass the CMA exam (Parts 1 and 2), and fulfill the education and experience requirements. You’ll also need to maintain active membership with the IMA to keep your certification. 

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

1. Join the IMA and Enroll in the CMA Program: 

• Become a member of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). 
• Register as a CMA candidate within the IMA. 
• Pay the CMA program entrance fee, which varies depending on your membership status (e.g., $300 for professional members, $225 for students/academics). 

2. Prepare for and Pass the CMA Exam: 

• The CMA exam consists of two parts: Part 1 (Financial Planning, Performance, and Analytics) and Part 2 (Strategic Financial Management). 
• You can take the parts in any order. 
• You’ll need to schedule your exam at a Prometric testing center. 
• The exam is graded on a 500-point scale, and you need a score of 360 or more to pass according to Becker. 
• You have seven years to complete both parts of the exam. 

3. Fulfill Education and Experience Requirements:

• You’ll need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. 
• The degree can be in any field, but you must earn it before or within seven years of passing the exam. 
• You also need two consecutive years of professional experience in management accounting or financial management. 
• You can fulfill the experience requirement before or after passing the exam. 

4. Maintain Active IMA Membership:

• Keep your IMA membership active to maintain your CMA certification.