CMA Course Buying Guide [15 Things to Look for!]

A great Certified Management Accountant (CMA) course can advance your career in the accounting field. Acing your CMA exam can give you an edge in a tough job market, so finding the best CMA course isn’t something you should take lightly!

There are dozens of CMA courses available from numerous organizations, so how do you choose the one that’s right for you? CMA courses can be expensive, so don’t waste money on materials that won’t help you pass the CMA exam.

While there are no guarantees with any course, there are things you can do to increase your chances of passing and earning the much-coveted CMA certification.

In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to look for when selecting a CMA course.

So, let’s get started!

15 Things to Look for in a CMA Course

1) Understand your CMA course options

There are so many CMA exam prep options that it’s difficult to pick one.

Some CMA exam preparation courses offer innovative features like adaptive technology, study planners, and access to faculty mentors, others provide a more traditional experience with live lectures and exams. Each course offers a different mix that suits different types of students.

Live courses help bring concepts to life and allow instructors to answer any questions live during class, while online courses provide flexibility and ample practice material, including quizzes and online exams.

Decide which learning environment works best for you before signing up for a course.

2) Make sure it has a CMA exam syllabus

The best way to know how to study for the CMA examinations is by looking at the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) content specification outlines, which lay out exactly what will be tested on each part of the CMA exam.

These outlines evolve year-to-year to align with changes in the profession. Therefore, it’s critical to find a CMA course that includes an exam syllabus and that regularly updates its course content to match the latest CMA exam specifications.

CMA exam preparation without an accurate and up-to-date exam syllabus is like driving without a map. You can still go places, but you may not reach your final destination.

3) Digital vs. Hard-Copy CMA Study Guide

Digital CMA study guides are a good choice if you’re looking for something economical and user-friendly.  Most digital textbooks sync with your notes and the lecture videos, making it easier to immerse yourself in the course.

On the other hand, a hard-copy CMA study guide is ideal if you struggle with digital study tools. Hard-copy guides are easier to highlight and portable if you prefer to study offline or during your commute.  The downside is they can get bulky and storing them in your home or office can be a pain.

Effective CMA prep comes down to efficiency and doing what works best for you. Do you prefer studying an entire manual and breaking it down into notes for memorization? If so, then a hard-copy textbook may be better.

My advice? Find a course that offers both and use whichever works best for you.

4) Evaluate your CMA practice exam options

Some programs offer an exam generator, while some have standalone simulated exams with never-before-seen questions. Others may even have a condensed final review feature.

Many students prefer to study and then knock out dozens of CMA exam prep questions, so periodically taking a CMA practice exam offers a similar benefit. More importantly, practice exams help you monitor your performance and retain what you learned earlier in the CMA course.

Having a range of CMA practice exam options will let you measure your progress in different ways and leave you better prepared on exam day.

5) A CMA Prep Course should fit your learning style

Your learning style shouldn’t be overlooked when choosing a CMA test prep course. Different CMA exam prep courses cater to different learners, so finding one that suits your learning style will allow you to maximize your potential for success.

What is the best CMA study material for your learning style?

Some learn best by visualizing and solving problems independently without help from a teacher or textbook. Others prefer reading textbooks.

Do you want a CMA test prep course that lets you read the material at your own pace, or a CMA course where all of the information is delivered verbally – either in person or through recordings?

Whichever type of CMA study course you choose, make sure it matches with your learning style to maximize your potential for success.

6) Take advantage of free CMA study material

Don’t have a money tree in your back yard? That’s okay. There are still plenty of options out there!

Most CMA prep courses offer free trials or demos, which is a great way to test out the course before signing up.

If you’re looking for a more interactive experience, there are also CMA exam prep courses with plenty of free webinars and videos that can supplement your CMA examination prep.

Some course packages also contain free CMA study materials like publicly available lectures, guides, and CMA exam practice tests. Also, consider group lessons if you want to learn from experienced instructors and fellow students.

7) Choose the CMA course that checks the most boxes

You might not find a CMA course that offers everything you’re looking for, and that’s OK. Instead, focus on the courses that offer most of what you’re looking for.

For example, if you want individualized attention, check out tutoring options or hybrid classes. If you’re looking for flexibility, consider taking a blended learning program where you can do some of your work online and then meet with an instructor periodically.

When choosing a CMA exam study guide or tutor, check their credentials and reviews from past students to see if they are a good fit for you.

8) CMA Course Efficiency

While considering how to study for the certified management accountant exam, don’t forget it can take up to 300 hours to sufficiently study for the exam.

The best CMA courses offer advanced technology and cover the exam topics more efficiently. Look for a course with adaptive technology and other features designed to make the most of your review time.

9) Mobile-friendliness

The best CMA courses let you watch lectures anytime and anywhere, which is great if you’ll be studying outside of a classroom setting.

If you plan to use your smartphone or tablet when studying, look for a platform that’s compatible with these devices.

Studying with a laptop? Mobile-compatibility may be less important, but still worth considering.

Frequently on the move? Find a CMA course that offers a mobile version so you can study for the CMA exam anytime and anywhere.

10)  Self-study vs. Classroom-based learning

There are two main ways to become a CMA: self-study and classroom-based learning. So, which one is best?

The best CMA study methods and material will come down to your personal preference, schedule and time commitment.

Those looking for the quickest path should consider a self-study CMA program that puts everything at your fingertips. Those who need more guidance or accountability may perform better with a tutor or using an online course that comes with periodic tutoring sessions.

11) Consider the CMA course pass rates

Pass rates vary among the different programs. Generally, courses with an 85% or higher pass rate are worth the investment. CMA accounting courses with lower rates may not be teaching the material in the most effective way, so look out for a better option.

12) Value for money

No matter how much you pay for a CMA course, make sure get value for your money, especially if it’s a premium option. The best way to figure this out is by reading testimonials and reviews from past students.

Avoid a CMA course with high subscription fees but bad reviews.

Another way to assess value is the quality and quantity of CMA exam study materials, the technology used, and the duration of access.

13) How much time and money you’re willing to invest

Passing the CMA exam is a huge time investment, perhaps up to 300 hours. If you’re not up for that kind of commitment then you may want to look into other certifications available.

Most courses offer payment plans for students who can’t afford to purchase a course all at once, but this may depend on your professional membership and country of residence.

If you’re low on funds, look for a CMA study course that lets you purchase individual CMA exam study materials instead of an entire course package.

14) How flexible is the study plan?

Some CMA courses offer a dynamic study plan that adapts to your real-life schedule. If you get sick and miss a few study days, the course will automatically recalibrate your schedule.

Courses that don’t offer this feature leave it up to you to figure out how to get back on track.

Similarly, prospective students should consider how often the CMA course keeps up with the latest testing requirements. Check the CMA prep course’s website to see their last course update took place or when the next one is on the horizon.

15) Money-back guarantee

Not sure if you want to go all-in on a CMA course? Thankfully, most courses offer some type of money-back guarantee.

If you decide a CMA course just isn’t for you, many will provide a full refund if you cancel within 30 or 60 days of purchase.

Bottom Line

Finding a CMA course that matches your needs and interests is important. The perfect way to find the right CMA course for you is by considering your specific needs.

Regardless of what you need from a CMA course, there are many great programs available. Follow these fifteen tips and you should have no trouble finding a course that works for you!

Best of luck on your journey!