Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)
Key Takeaways
- CGMAs are globally recognized professionals with expertise in financial analysis, strategic decision-making, and management accounting.
- The credential requires passing scores on a three-level exam. Candidates must pass 12 total tests, including three case study exams.
- CPAs have a streamlined route to become CGMAs, with only one required case study exam.
Management accountants analyze financial data to make strategic business decisions. More than 150,000 professionals are chartered global management accountants (CGMAs), making it one of the most widely recognized certifications in the field. Offered by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the CGMA credential recognizes experienced accounting and finance professionals.
The CGMA exam will change in 2026, with a new emphasis on finance business partnering and applied problem-solving. If you’re considering the credential or in the process of earning it, explore the exam’s format and content so you can better prepare for it.
Why Charter as a CGMA?
Global Recognition
As an international credential, CGMAs are globally recognized for their expertise and knowledge. The credential highlights management accounting, planning, and strategic thinking skills. Charterholders can use the designatory letters and a digital badge to showcase their membership.
Professional Development
CGMAs connect with other charterholders, experts, and business professionals. In addition to these networking opportunities, CGMAs also receive access to tools, reports, and research to stay current in the field. Charterholders receive discounts on continuing professional education (CPE) and events, plus complimentary CPE webcasts.
CPA Benefits
Certified public accountants (CPAs) have a streamlined process to earn their CGMA credentials. A CPA license allows candidates to skip several levels of the exams and take one exam instead of 12. CPAs also benefit from a lower price to complete the certification.
How Do You Qualify for the CGMA Credential?
CGMA candidates must meet educational and experience requirements. This professional certification also requires passing scores on multiple exams.
CIMA offers two routes to become a CGMA:
- Pass all three levels of the CGMA exam, which includes three objective tests and one case study exam in each level.
- Pass the third level of case study exams.
CPAs can skip the first and second levels to become CGMAs by passing the strategic case study exam. Candidates who take this pathway also need three years of work experience and membership in the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA).
Education Requirements
A degree in management accounting or a related field is one of the best preparations to become a CGMA. However, you can pursue this certification with diverse majors, and CIMA offers a track for those without a college degree.
The most common educational route for CGMA candidates include earning a bachelor’s or master’s in accounting, finance, business, or a related field. Those without a degree can enroll in the certificate in business accounting offered through CIMA, which takes 12 months and prepares learners for the CGMA credential.
Learn More About Recommended Education
Professional Requirements
CGMAs must meet practical experience requirements to earn the credential. Charterholders need at least three years of relevant professional experience.
Professional experience can come in the following areas:
- Management accounting
- Audit and assurance
- Accounting
- Business intelligence and data analysis
- Risk management
- Financial planning and analysis
Candidates submit an application listing their experience, with one or more supervisors to sign off on the experience. The application covers three core activities and five skills and behaviors.
What Do the CGMA Exams Cover?
The CGMA exam differs from many other professional certification exams. Divided into three levels, the exam consists of 12 tests in two different formats, including a unique case study format.
The CGMA test levels are:
- Operational Level: Focuses on short-term management accounting decisions and implementing plans
- Management Level: Focuses on creating medium-term plans based on long-term priorities, including resource allocation, implementation, and performance management
- Strategic Level: Focuses on long-term strategic decision-making, including strategy development, risk management, and strategy implementation
Each level requires three 90-minute objective tests and one 3-hour case study exam. Within each level, the objective tests cover three pillars: enterprise, performance, and financial.
The case study exam evaluates test-takers’ ability to apply management accounting knowledge in real-world situations. It integrates the knowledge, skills, and techniques covered in the three pillars of the objective tests. Test-takers receive pre-seen material to analyze during the case study exam.
| Section | Format | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Objective Tests (3) | Multiple choice, number entry, and drag-and-drop questions | 90 minutes |
| Case Study Exam (1) | Analytical essays | 3 hours |
Scoring the Exams
The objective tests and the case study exam use similar scoring systems. Test-takers receive a score from 0-150. However, the passing score and timeline to receive scores depend on the test.
As a computer-marked exam, the objective test provides provisional pass/fail results when you complete the exam. Your official score will appear in your exam dashboard within two days of taking the test. Test-takers need a score of 100 or higher to pass an objective test.
The case study exam is marked by experts. As a result, test-takers will not receive their results until 6-8 weeks after they sit for the exam. The exam timetable lists when results will be posted after each case study window.
Score results list the test-taker’s score with performance feedback. This feedback allows test-takers to focus their studies for the next level of exams.
| Section | Score Range | Minimum Passing Score |
|---|---|---|
| Objective Tests (3) | 0-150 each | 100 each |
| Case Study Exam (1) | 0-150 | 80 |
How Do You Register for the CGMA Exams?
Management accountants can register for the CGMA exam through the CIMA website. Test-takers can schedule their exams either online or over the phone. Online registration requires a profile. After selecting your exam, you can schedule through the Pearson VUE website. Test-takers can reschedule an exam up to 48 hours before an objective test or during an open exam registration period for the case study exam.
When registering for the CGMA exam, test-takers have the option of completing it online or at a test center. The online format offers flexibility for those who meet the internet access and equipment requirements. Taking the exam at a test center allows test-takers to request special accommodations.
While test-takers can sit for the objective exams at any time, the case study exams are only available during a three-day window four times a year. Test-takers must take the case study exams in either February, May, August, or November. The exam timetable on the CIMA website offers additional information about scheduling windows.
Paying for the Exams
The cost of the CGMA credential depends on which level of exams you need to take and your location. CIMA uses a tiered fee structure with different prices depending on your location.
Test-takers will pay around $190-$320, and the cost of the case studies ranges from $330-$490. In addition, candidates pay an annual subscription fee while completing the exams. The one-time registration fee covers the first year’s subscription.
How Can You Prepare for the CGMA Exams?
Top Tips
- 1
Learn the Exam Format
The CGMA exam differs from the CPA, CMA, and other certification exams. Dig into the exam format to structure your study plan. Understanding the core knowledge and skills assessed during the exam, plus the expectations on the case studies, will help you start your study plan on the right foot.
- 2
Create a Study Schedule
With 12 exams divided into three levels, three pillars, and two formats, you’ll need a study schedule to organize your efforts. Base your schedule on the CGMA Competency Framework, which lists the knowledge and skills that charterholders should have. Identify your strengths and weaknesses to prioritize your time.
- 3
Focus on the Case Studies
The case studies can be difficult for prepared test-takers because of their unique format. It’s also harder to receive feedback on your efforts. Think of the case studies like an analytical assessment and make sure to incorporate data and examples from the pre-seen material.
- 4
Take Practice Exams
Practice exams are a good way to assess your knowledge and focus your studies. Taking a mock exam at the beginning of the study process can help you create a roadmap to study, and a practice exam close to your objective test date could allow you to reschedule if you need additional study time.
- 5
Seek Feedback
Getting feedback as you study is one of the best ways to improve, especially on the case study exam. You can find study groups for feedback or consider one-on-one coaching. If you fail an exam, you’ll also receive information on the areas where you were not proficient, which can help you prepare to retake it.
Study Resources and Practice Tests
- CIMA Study: The CIMA Study resource offers online courses, learning materials, and interactive tests to prepare for the CGMA credential. Test-takers can complete exercises and practice questions to prepare for the objective tests. The resource also offers over 120 hours of online learning content in each module.
- CGMA Study Hub: The CGMA Study Hub includes free content to prepare for the exam. The resources include tricky topic tutorials, webcasts on specialized topics, and study timetables. In addition, the study hub includes previous case study exam questions and example answers to prepare. Test-takers also benefit from insights from examiners and markers.
- Pearson VUE CGMA Resources: In addition to resources on scheduling the CGMA exam, the Pearson VUE site also includes case study exams as part of the CGMA Finance Leadership Program. This resource also provides access to special accommodations for test-takers and information on Pearson VUE exam locations.
What Is Needed to Stay a Charterholder?
Charterholders must renew their credential annually. In order to remain a charterholder, accountants pay the annual AICPA membership fee. AICPA membership provides on-demand courses, continuing education resources, live sessions, and webcasts.
In addition, CGMAs must complete continuing professional development. The continuing education requirement ensures that CGMAs stay current with their management accounting skills. While the credential does not require a set amount of continuing education, charterholders should track their learning.
Should You Get Multiple Certifications?
Accounting and finance professionals can earn many certifications. Within management accounting, the most popular certifications include the CGMA and the certified management accountant (CMA) credential offered by the Institute of Management Accountants. While the CMA credential is more common in the U.S., the CGMA credential is a globally recognized credential.
CMAs take a two-part exam, consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions on each exam, to earn the credential.
CPAs also benefit from a streamlined exam path to become CGMAs. Accountants who specialize in both public and management accounting thus benefit from pursuing the CPA credential first.
Learn More About Optional Certifications
Frequently Asked Questions
A CGMA, or chartered global management accountant, is a business professional who specializes in financial analysis and strategic decision-making. This credential demonstrates expertise in these areas. CGMAs pass an in-depth exam and meet experience requirements to earn the certification.
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