I started my career in public accounting and focused on passing the CPA exam right away. After several years working as an external auditor, I transitioned into industry, serving as the controller and treasurer of a manufacturing company for more than a decade before pivoting once more into a full-time academic career.
In the fall of 2019, I shared the Strategic Finance article, “Dual Certification: It Can Be Done,” with my cost accounting students. It really struck a chord with them—this idea of earning both a CPA and a CMA® (Certified Management Accountant)—and their excitement inspired me to become more involved with IMA®. I became an IMA Campus Advocate and incorporated IMA resources into my classes and our accounting and finance club activities. The club hosted IMA professional panels, CMA exam information sessions, and a variety of events to help students learn about careers in finance and accounting. Many students became members of IMA, giving them access to articles, podcasts, and webinars that help them explore the latest developments in our profession, from technology and digital transformation to sustainability reporting and ethical leadership.
It occurred to me that if I was going to encourage my students to earn the CMA certification, I should lead by example. Of course, it had been nearly three decades since I sat for the CPA exam, but by taking advantage of the support offered by IMA to faculty members (academic members can take the exam at no cost), I took the CMA exam in June 2021. I returned to campus that fall with the intention of deepening our ties with IMA. Thanks to those efforts and the support of the university and the enthusiasm of students, Salve Regina University now has an active IMA student chapter. We also were proud to host the NorthEast Regional Council’s Student Leadership Conference on our campus this spring.
All of my interactions with the leadership of the Providence Chapter, our regional council, and IMA staff have been both enjoyable and inspiring. I’ve met highly accomplished professionals who are passionate about serving their organizations and sharing their expertise with others. They have all given generously of their time and encouraged me and my students every step of the way.
I recommend getting involved with IMA and pursuing dual certification to current students as well as to seasoned professionals. While there is some overlap in the content of both exams, the CMA’s emphasis on strategy, corporate finance, and management accounting certifies mastery of a broader skill set than the CPA exam alone. These skills are in high demand for leaders in industry as well as for external advisors and consultants, so dual certification can open doors to even more opportunities than either certification on its own.
I’ve recently had the joy of seeing three of my students take advantage of the CMA Scholarship to pass the exam as undergraduates. They are now taking the CPA exam, and they are well on their way to becoming dual certified themselves. My students are proving it’s never too early to pursue dual certification, and I can attest to the fact that it is never too late.
Photo: Bonnie Kennedy (front row) is pictured with her students, from left to right, Jillian Gaffga, Andrew Hassler, and Margaret Raposa at the IMA NERC Student Leadership Conference at Salve Regina University in Newport, RI on April 20, 2024. All three students passed the CMA exam. In May 2024, Jillian and Margaret earned MBAs (after earning bachelor's degrees in accounting last year) and Andrew earned his bachelor’s in accounting. Jillian and Andrew have already taken Part 1 of the CPA exam, and Margaret is starting work on the CPA exams now that her academic work is done.
