CMA-Accredited University Accounting Programs

Summary:

Graduates of a CMA-accredited university accounting program are granted the opportunity to bypass the CMA Entrance Exam and immediately begin their CMA professional studies provided they meet the following criteria:

• Obtained full coverage of the CMA prerequisite topics prior to having their degree conferred. (For a listing of the CMA prerequisite topics, please view our program brochure).
• Have an overall average of 75 per cent or higher
• Have completed their degree within a total of six years (including transfer credits).

From a university student’s point of view, the CMA-accredited program allows for the opportunity to enroll directly in a CMA professional program after completing their degree. This path offers the advantages of bypassing the CMA Entrance Exam, a major evaluation point, and reducing the time required to obtain the designation.

From an employer’s point of view, the CMA-accredited program allows access to high-performing students that have essentially started the CMA program long before they’ve even graduated. By way of CMA Canada’s rigid standards, employers can rest assured that graduates of the CMA-accredited programs are equal in their preparation and testing to those that follow the commonly used combination of the CMA Accelerated Program and the CMA Entrance Exam.

It’s important to note that graduates of any CMA-accredited program have three years from the date of graduation to take advantage of their opportunity for an exemption. Also note that, CMA does not discriminate against transfer credits that have already been accepted by an accredited university as part of a student’s transcript; however, all prerequisite topics must appear on a student’s transcript to take advantage of the CMA accredited-program opportunity. Further, transfer credits must have been completed within the six-year timeframe and will be used to calculate the student’s overall average.

CMA-accredited programs are offered in most Canadian markets. In the Atlantic region, this includes: Saint Mary’s University (Halifax), Memorial University (Newfoundland and Labrador), and Mount Allison (New Brunswick). Accredited programs are expected to launch in the Caribbean in 2010.

In Nova Scotia, only students that have met all requirements and graduated in May 2008 or later are eligible for the CMA-accredited program at Saint Mary’s University.

It is highly recommended that university students have their official transcript(s) evaluated before graduation to ensure full coverage of the prerequisite topics. Please contact the CMA offices for more information on CMA-accredited university accounting programs.