Looking to Earn the US CMA Certification? Now is the Perfect Time

Competition for the best finance and accounting jobs can be hard, even though you are a well-trained and skilled professional. And if you are kick-starting your career, grabbing the attention of a recruitment manager can be particularly tricky. However, if you have earned industry credentials that employers attach great importance to, you can have better odds of shining in the crowd.

One of such certifications is the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) credential. Professionals who have the CMA hold proven expertise in financial management skills and critical accounting from a managerial, generalized, and internal viewpoint.

Let us understand the value of earning the CMA credential, particularly in these tough times.

A Deeper Dive

Knowledge always opens doors to career advancement and new pathways. At present, several professionals are mulling over their careers, thinking about what path they should take next.

A recent survey revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered 33% of employees to reflect on pursuing a more fulfilling or meaningful position. Also, reorganization and business downsizing due to the pandemic have influenced many people to look for jobs out of necessity.

By taking the time to earn an industry credential such as the CMA, several professionals will find themselves well-positioned to pursue more and numerous sorts of opportunities at established companies across sectors.

Also, they can earn higher compensation. Another survey for the finance and accounting field opines that certifications do have a favorable impact on an individual’s earning appetite for numerous roles.

But, Why only Now?

The finance and accounting field is evolving fast — and has been for the last couple of years. Technology is a major reason for that.

Indeed, as per the recent IMA survey, many respondents perceive the finance staff as crucial as bringing in cutting-edge technologies — such as big data — in a firm. However, only around 13% reported that their finance team was all set for future tech changes.

Finance and accounting experts will be required to put in even more problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking in their day-to-day work. Again, the CMA exam can help them gear up for that change as it truly concentrates on those sorts of areas.

Cometh the COVID-19 Pandemic

Many of you might have heard people asking, “What can I do to ensure that I remain competitive?” And now you are hearing it more often these days, not only because of the tech changes but also the COVID-19-induced business disruption.

We cannot understate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on organizations and people’s careers. Now, several professionals realize they have to gear up for a new future of work.

There was an enormous stress on “future-proofing” one’s career even before the public-health crisis. That entails learning how to work with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), but also fine-tuning soft skills such as critical thinking.

Earning the CMA certification provides an opportunity to drive the future-proofing process. Of course, it is not the answer for everybody. But it can make a big difference toward helping employees upskill effectively — and to stand out in the hiring chamber, today and tomorrow.

Grab the Opportunity, Now

For many of you, there has never been a better time to earn the CMA certification. You are working from home (WFH) at present and likely will be for the near future. The lack of a commute offers you extra time during the daytime to prepare for the CMA exam.

Having said that, employees working from home and juggling competing priorities might still grapple to make the time. Discussing with your manager about a flexible routine can help.

Several organizations are more open to letting their employees follow a routine that optimizes their productivity. For instance, many are favoring “windowed work,” where workers — including working parents — can split their day into separate slabs of professional and personal time.

There are better odds that your manager will support your goals as the skills and knowledge you gain can drive the value of the business. So, make sure to talk about your CMA aspirations with your boss.