Which is better CMA USA or CMA India?

06 February, 2025
by Ansa Antony

Are you considering doing a professional CMA certification? You might have encountered two different CMA certifications, CMA USA and CMA India.

If you’re new to finance and accounting, you might not know the key differences between these certifications and which one to choose for your career.

This blog will cover the key differences between the two CMA certifications and help you choose the better one.

Top 7 Key Differences - CMA USA Vs CMA India

A student or working professional aspiring to take the CMA exam must understand the key differences between the two types of CMA certifications.

Here are 7 key differences between CMA US and CMA India.

1. Governing Bodies Offering the Course

CMA USA - The US CMA (Certified Management Accountant) is a globally recognized management accounting certification offered by the IMA i.e. Institute of Management Accountants in the USA.
CMA India - The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI) administers the CMA India (Cost and Management Accountant) certification.

2. Global Recognition and Career Opportunities

CMA USA - The value of this certification is justified by its global recognition, especially in the USA, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. You can escalate the financial corporate ladder in disciplines like financial management, risk management, and internal controls. CMA India - Those who would love to pursue a finance career in India must likely do this course. The certification will get you jobs in cost accounting, taxation, and regulatory compliance across various sectors in the Indian market.

3. Eligibility and Work Experience

CMA USA - A bachelor's degree and 2 years of work experience are the eligibility criteria. CMA India - The highlight of this certification is that it’s open to students who’ve cleared class 12.

4. Course Structure and Duration

CMA USA - There are two parts to this exam. Part 1 - Financial Planning & Performance Part 2 - Strategic Financial Management It takes anywhere between 6-12 months to complete both the exam parts and receive the certification. Check out our online CMA US course details here. CMA India - There are three levels to this exam. Foundation Intermediate Final It takes about 3-4 years to complete all three levels of the exam and receive the certification.

5. Exam Pattern and Pass Rate

CMA USA - MCQs and Essay Questions compose this exam format. The pass rate is 45-50%. CMA India - Written exams and case studies compose this exam format. The pass rate is 20-30%.

6. Cost and Investment

CMA USA - Exam fees and study materials cost around $2,500–$3,000 (₹2,00,000–₹2,50,000). CMA India - Total costs come around ₹100,000–₹150,000.

7. Salary Potential

CMA USA - CMAs in the United States earn approximately $105,943 per year. The highest drawn salary is recorded as $168,500. According to your experience, company size, and location, the salary parameters will differ.
CMA India - Holders of this certification earn an average annual salary of around ₹7,75,000. The highest salary drawn is reported to be 55 LPA. Factors such as company size, sector, and experience will determine the salary you get.

Choose Wisely!

Now that you know the key differences between both the CMA certifications, it’s time to make a choice. Depending on where you want to pursue your career and your unique course choices, you can conclude. If you’re a working professional, you’d also like to consider the time available for you to complete a course.

My Logic is a pioneer in catering world-class training in financial professional courses like CMA (USA), CPA (USA), ACCA, CIMA, etc to students across the globe. We offer top-class online training videos along with online interactive classrooms that help you crack competitive finance and accounting exams.