certified managerial accountant . . .

[gardenmom5]

what do you know?

 

I've been gathering information for 2ds to transfer to a 4-yr school for next year. (he has anxiety - and is one of those I have to push to progress.)  I'd been under the impression he wanted a CPA.  now, I learn he really wants to do a CMA . . 'cause his managerial accounting class was so. much. fun. :drool:  and he was practically drooling about it too.

 

UW has three campuses close enough for him to continue to live at home - and drive or take a bus.  (the business/accounting program is the same format at each.) they even offer a 3rd year (only upper classmen are admitted to the program) or a 1 yr masters so they can become a CPA.  (gets them their five years).

 

 

I'm also trying to get him to do the IRS tax prep class (which requires helping low income do tax prep during tax season.).  don't know that he will.  I figure even if he doesn't spend his career doing taxes - the experience should be useful.

[mom@shiloh]

I'd encourage him to think about where he wants to go with all this and get a good advisor to help him think through the possibilities.Where does he hope the CMA will lead?   My dh has a CPA and a CMA (and an MBA and a DBA.....)  The CPA exam is much, much harder, but will open up more opportunities.  He should also look into getting an MBA rather than just taking the 5th year.  

 

In terms of the IRS tax class -- he should check if the university is offering the VITA program which provides free tax services to the poor and elderly.  My dh's tax students do this as part of their class.

[gardenmom5]

I'd encourage him to think about where he wants to go with all this and get a good advisor to help him think through the possibilities.Where does he hope the CMA will lead?   My dh has a CPA and a CMA (and an MBA and a DBA.....)  The CPA exam is much, much harder, but will open up more opportunities.  He should also look into getting an MBA rather than just taking the 5th year.  

 

In terms of the IRS tax class -- he should check if the university is offering the VITA program which provides free tax services to the poor and elderly.  My dh's tax students do this as part of their class.

 

 

dh is all for encouraging him to do both.

[Crimson Wife]

My DH is not an accountant but he's in corporate finance and for high-level finance positions I frequently seen "CPA desired" but I've never seen a desire for CMA. I would encourage doing the 5 year CPA program and then looking for a job that offers tuition reimbursement so that he can get a MBA. He might also want to consider studying for the Chartered Financial Analyst level 1 exam. To earn the full CFA designation requires 5 years' experience in finance and passing 3 exams but he doesn't need any experience to sit for the level 1 CFA exam. Passing that would make him more marketable.

 

The thing with accounting is that there's only so far someone can go in that field. If he hopes to move into a senior finance role, he'll need to have a more broad skillset.

[2squared]

I agree with the others, the CMA isn't worth much. I have it, and I see it as just a way to show that I'm a little better than the competition in a "I am willing to do more than you" way. I don't know anyone else who has the CMA, and it's never talked about in any of the companies I have worked for.

 

Definitely get the MBA and sit (and pass) for the CPA exam. That will take him much further than the CMA.