Done 3rd Year, CA vs CMA

[patron]

I go to UofT Commerce. My CA avg currently is 69.5, im taking a Summer course in which if i get a 75, ill have the required 70% avg. Plus I still have 6/17 CA Courses remaining to up my avg. What would you suggest I do, make a detour away from CA and choose CMA courses, or follow through with CA?

[sharaik]

Just for the initial eligibility for CMA, dont u just need like eco I and II and stats course ? Obviusly, CA is the thing and CMA is prolly right after it. Just get your career goals corrected, what you want to do, where do u see yourself 5 yrs from now and take necessary steps for it. CA big 4 is tuff to get into and 70% is not that competitive. If you REALLY want to get into big4, i prefer to repeat a few courses get around the 80s. my 2 cents!!

[patron]

Im thinking of maybe sneaking into the smaller firms.

[ACC-Major]

If you only have CA and CMA on your mind, then you should prepare for both, or even prepare for CGA to keep more doors open.

To me, work experience is the most important thing. If you get a job offer in a CA firm, aim for CA, if not go for CMA.
Alot of University students never thought of a back up plan when they are in school. they all care about getting that CA designation; however, they never thought about "what if i don't get into a CA firm". Then later the found out that they aren't qualified to write CMA's entrance exam and/or receives minimum allowable transfer credits for CGA purposes.

bottom line, ya employers value CA's more because during their training, they were exposed to various industries and business practices when doing auditing and assurance. It's easier to jump from public practice to private, harder to jump from private to public.

just a note, CGA is not bad either lol.

[Magnus]

I go to UofT Commerce. My CA avg currently is 69.5, im taking a Summer course in which if i get a 75, ill have the required 70% avg. Plus I still have 6/17 CA Courses remaining to up my avg. What would you suggest I do, make a detour away from CA and choose CMA courses, or follow through with CA?

Whether you take a CA or CMA, I think you need to get a bit more focused on your studies. The professional exams for CA, CMA (and other professional accouting designations) are challenging, and speaking frankly, you can't slide by them the same as you can with a lot of the university courses. I don't want to sound like I'm your parent nagging you or anything, I know that some people are just more into the academic thing than others, and real life is certainly about more that just book learning. But to get through the professional exams, you will need to suck it up, at least long enough pass the tests.

[patron]

I am thinking also to try to land a position at the smaller firms (maybe mid-size if im fortunate), would I be at a serious disadvantage if I article at a smaller comapny as opposed to tghe bigger? Thnx in advance

[e007]

Do CA firms only consider GPA when hiring? Do they also require volunteering/extracurricular activities?

[ggs]

go the CA route. coming from a CMA-candidate.

[dh12]

what's wrong with cma does it suck or something?

[rdx]

Just ask yourself if you want to practice public accounting e.g. audit, tax.

If you don't, then go for CMA.

If you can't make up your mind AND your grade still allow you to get through CA program, then try to complete your CA. Like other said, it will be a lot easier for you to switch from public to private than the other way around.

CMA is more for management accounting/consulting type of jobs in the private industries. My experience from a major bank and two Fortune 500 companies, CMA is get more popular now. I have heard there was 25% of students in one CMA SLP class are from IBM. So, if you don't like public accounting at all, switching to CMA is another good option.

Note: Lot of CFO or VP finance in major companies are CMAs these days, e.g. HP Canada, CFO is a CMA.

I also know a lot of people getting both CA and CMA as they have different focus. One is hardcore accounting (CA) and the other is managment/consulting (CMA). e.g. Dorothy who teaches the popular CMA prep course is both CA and CMA as well.

But I haven't met any CA students switching to CGA though.

[Babbsy]

I'd look at CMA and enrol in the new CMA public accounting post designation program if you are interested in Tax and Auditing. CMA is a much better worklife balance than CA and a higher starting salary.

[patron]

sorry to resurrect old thread as Im still trying to decide. I am planning to enroll into courses that will allow me to complete my CMA and CA such that I have tha toppoprtunity to send mass applications to CA offices see if i get picked up.

Does CMA really render a higher salary?

[ojuice3]

Just ask yourself if you want to practice public accounting e.g. audit, tax.

If you don't, then go for CMA.

If you can't make up your mind AND your grade still allow you to get through CA program, then try to complete your CA. Like other said, it will be a lot easier for you to switch from public to private than the other way around.

CMA is more for management accounting/consulting type of jobs in the private industries. My experience from a major bank and two Fortune 500 companies, CMA is get more popular now. I have heard there was 25% of students in one CMA SLP class are from IBM. So, if you don't like public accounting at all, switching to CMA is another good option.

Note: Lot of CFO or VP finance in major companies are CMAs these days, e.g. HP Canada, CFO is a CMA.

I also know a lot of people getting both CA and CMA as they have different focus. One is hardcore accounting (CA) and the other is managment/consulting (CMA). e.g. Dorothy who teaches the popular CMA prep course is both CA and CMA as well.

But I haven't met any CA students switching to CGA though.

soo surprise to hear this.. thought IBM is cutting back quite abit of finance positions...

[DeltasInTheSky]

sorry to resurrect old thread as Im still trying to decide. I am planning to enroll into courses that will allow me to complete my CMA and CA such that I have tha toppoprtunity to send mass applications to CA offices see if i get picked up.

Does CMA really render a higher salary?

I'd say it depends, most people who pursue the CMA already have a full-time job and are going after the CMA so they can jump into a senior managerial position within their company. Subsequently, a pay-raise follows.

[watewate]

Your marks are not that competitive. You should aim for CMA and choose your 4th year courses accordingly. If you end up receiving an offer from one of the accounting firms, you can change your courses in the 2nd semester to fulfill the requirements to sit for the CKE.

Planning for CMA is more prudent because you'd have write the exam right away in June. That's why you'll want to ensure that you have met the pre-requisites by the time you convocate. CKE isn't until Jan. 10, so you can always pick up a couple courses in the fall while working full time at a CA firm.

CMA is a respected designation. Don't let others tell you otherwise. I have my CA and CMA, so I think I'm qualified to opine on both designations.

[kin0kin]

I'd look at CMA and enrol in the new CMA public accounting post designation program if you are interested in Tax and Auditing. CMA is a much better worklife balance than CA and a higher starting salary.

ditto.