CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant)
The bridge designation between US CPA and CIMA (UK management accounting); useful for US CPAs working at multinationals or with international career mobility goals.
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Visit Official Site →Founded
2012
HQ
Durham, NC + London, UK (joint AICPA + CIMA venture; merged operations as Association of International Certified Professional Accountants in 2017)
Target Audience
Management accountants and corporate finance professionals at US multinationals; CIMA-qualified accountants seeking US-friendly designation; CPAs seeking global management-accounting brand.
Key Features
- Two paths: CIMA Pathway (CIMA exams + 3 years experience; 17 exams across 4 levels) or CPA Pathway (US CPA license + 3 years management accounting experience + CGMA Strategic Case Study Exam)
- Strategic Case Study Exam (CPA pathway): 3-hour case-based exam, online proctored
- Pass rates not publicly disclosed
- Required: 3 years of qualifying management accounting experience
- 20 hours CPD annually
- ~140,000+ CGMA designees globally
How to Get This Certification
Prerequisites
Active CPA license (CPA pathway) OR CIMA qualification with passed exams (CIMA pathway) + 3 years of relevant management accounting experience.
Why Get Certified — ROI
Salary Impact
Limited published US-specific data. AICPA cites CGMA as commanding ~10% premium globally in management accounting roles, but US-specific lift is unclear given low US recognition.
Career Benefits
- What makes this stand out
- The bridge designation between US CPA and CIMA (UK management accounting); useful for US CPAs working at multinationals or with international career mobility goals.
- Industry recognition
- AICPA + CIMA joint credential.
Who Should Get This Certification
Ideal for:
- Management accountants and corporate finance professionals at US multinationals
- CIMA-qualified accountants seeking US-friendly designation
- CPAs seeking global management-accounting brand.
Consider alternatives if:
- Weak standalone brand — most US employers don't specifically recognize or request CGMA
- Adds $295/yr ongoing cost on top of CPA license maintenance
Pricing
Pricing varies.
Weaknesses
- Weak standalone brand — most US employers don't specifically recognize or request CGMA
- Adds $295/yr ongoing cost on top of CPA license maintenance
- Primarily a value-add for those already on the CPA pathway; cannot substitute for CPA for US audit/attest
- CIMA pathway is significantly longer (17 exams) than alternatives
Markets Served
Global
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