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Certificate in Management Accounting Online Graduate Courses

Nikki Bennett, who earned her MBA from SNHU, standing in an office with two people seated at a table and bookshelves in the background.

Cost per credit $637

Total courses 4

Total credits 12

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Program Overview Why get a management accounting certificate online?

Learn how to use accounting for the management of business operations and financial decisions with a Graduate Certificate in Management Accounting online at Southern New Hampshire University. Launched in 2023, this specialized certificate is ideal for those looking to advance their career in private accounting, as it provides in-depth lessons on cost accounting, controllership and beyond.

Skills you'll learn:

  • Financial statement preparation, planning and analysis skills
  • Internal and external auditing practices
  • Budget preparation and reporting methods
  • Ledger and balance sheet management techniques
  • Cost analysis and risk evaluation approaches
Nikki Bennett, who earned her MBA from SNHU, sitting at a desk in her office looking at her laptop with her framed diploma on the wall in the background.

Courses & Curriculum Online accounting classes that position you for growth

Help management make better business decisions through methodical accounting practices. In the Graduate Certificate in Management Accounting program, you'll learn to create statements, reports and documents that inform business performance.

Degree Courses

Online management accounting courses

The certificate's topics strategically align with the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Exam and other areas crucial to managerial accounting, including:

  • Strategic decision-making
  • Forecasting
  • Impacts of contemporary tax legislation
  • Tax codes and compliance standards
  • Financial planning

Courses may include:

Course ID: ACC 550
This course will provide a comprehensive study of the concepts, procedures, and practices of accounting systems that record, classify, and report cost data. These systems are designed to aid in the cost-effective operation of organizations. This course will focus on budgeting, cost data analysis, and accounting tools for planning and control. Additional focus will be placed on relevant cost data analysis for strategic decision making at the executive level of an organization.
Course ID: ACC 610
In this course, students will be introduced to foundational financial accounting theories and practices, with emphasis placed on standards and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Students will learn to analyze financial statements and accounts for advising stakeholders on strategic business decisions. This course will specifically focus on applying accounting methods to current assets and liabilities and long-term assets. This course is part of the financial reporting foundation courses for students who need the required foundational accounting knowledge.
Course ID: ACC 660
This course will review the essential functions of a controller within an organization. Specifically, students will examine the process for compiling and analyzing financial and operational information used to determine opportunities for improvement and reduce inefficiencies. Students will explore specific financial data analysis techniques and evaluate how this financial information along with other non-financial factors contributes to the decision making within an organization.
Course ID: ACC 677
In this course, students will gain an understanding of IT governance and strategy within organizations. Students will examine how IT governance is constructed. They will analyze internal controls and the potential risks within IT governance and systems and develop recommendations for optimal solutions. Students will also explore best practices in data use and management.
Course ID: ACC 735
This course will focus on the role of managerial level accountants in providing organizations with the financial and operational data analysis needed to make improvements and advance strategic goals. In this course, students will explore types of analyses and how they support types of strategic decisions made by organizations. Students will also gain experience in developing data-driven narratives that support their recommendations and presenting these recommendations in an effective and concise manner.

Visit the course catalog to view the full Graduate Certificate in Management Accounting curriculum.

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Upcoming term starts: March 24, 2025 | June 9, 2025

Next term starts:
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Online Student Experience What’s it like going to SNHU?

Attending college online at SNHU can be a life-changing experience. In fact, 93.2% of online students would recommend SNHU according to a 2023 survey with 21,000+ respondents.

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  • Grades
  • Instructor announcements
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After reviewing your official evaluation, you can decide if SNHU is right for you! If you choose to enroll, just pick your start date and get ready for classes to begin.

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Accreditations

SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.

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Tuition Cost & Savings College can be more affordable than you think

As a nonprofit university, SNHU offers some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. And when you work with our Financial Services team, we'll explore ways to help you save even more on your education – and customize a payment plan that works for you.

Online certificate tuition

Student
Cost per credit
Cost per course
Cost for 12-credit certificate
Full- and part-time students
$637
$1,911
$7,644
Active-duty military and spouses | Full- and part-time students*
$470
$1,410
$5,640

Tuition rates are subject to change and are reviewed annually.

*Note: Students receiving this rate are not eligible for additional discounts.

Additional costs: Course materials vary by course.

Career Outlook What can I do with an online management accounting certificate?

Earning a Graduate Certificate in Management Accounting can serve as a valuable addition to your undergraduate or graduate degree and prepare you for future graduate study.

And for those who additionally pursue a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation, the opportunity for success only increases. According to the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), 83% of CMAs surveyed agreed the certification boosted their professional confidence.1 Moreover, the CMAs earned 21% higher median annual compensation than their noncertified peers.1

Occupations

Survey, analyze and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice or evaluate statements prepared by others.

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy and conformance with procedures, regulations and company expectations.

Plan, direct or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities and other financial activities of an establishment.

Direct organizational studies, design systems and prepare operations manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently.

Conduct analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of institutions, including valuation of businesses.

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity or economic state of an organization.

67k+

New jobs for accountants and auditors through 2032, projects the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.2

$79,880

Median annual wages in 2023 for accountants and auditors, according to the BLS.2

Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — you can absolutely earn a Management Accounting Certificate online.

In fact, SNHU offers its Graduate Certificate in Management Accounting exclusively online and courses are asynchronous. This means you can do your classwork when and where you want, making school more manageable if you have to balance a job, family or personal commitments.

Benefits of SNHU's online, asynchronous learning include:

  • 24/7 access: Everything for your courses is right at your fingertips – at all times.
  • Convenience: Balance your individual course or degree program with work and other outside responsibilities.
  • Affordability: SNHU offers some of the most affordable tuition rates in the nation.
  • No set class times: Participate in courses on your own schedule without needing to meet at set times.
  • No commute: Earn your degree from whenever you feel most comfortable — no travel required.

SNHU has offered online learning since 1995 and is dedicated to providing you both the freedom and structure you need to be successful.

Management accounting is a method of accounting that creates statements, reports and documents to help management make better decisions related to their business's performance.

Certified Management Accountants (CMAs) are experts at:

  • Preparing financial statements
  • Financial planning and analysis
  • Internal or external auditing
  • Budget preparation and reporting
  • Management of general ledger or balance sheets
  • Financial forecasting
  • Business decision making
  • Cost analysis and risk evaluation

A Certified Management Accountant (CMA) can pursue a range of roles with job functions related to cost and managerial accounting. These roles include, but are not limited to:

  • Accountant/auditor: Survey, analyze and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice or evaluate statements prepared by others.
  • Budget analyst: Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy and conformance with procedures and regulations.
  • Financial manager: Plan, direct or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities and other financial activities of an establishment.
  • Management analyst: Direct organizational studies, design systems and prepare operations manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently.
  • Financial/investment analyst: Conduct analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of institutions, including valuation of businesses.
  • Financial risk specialist: Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity or economic state of an organization.

The Certified Management Exam (CMA) Exam is intentionally designed to test your intellectual limits. It has global recognition and is respected in over 150 countries.1

The exam is separated into two parts covering 12 competencies1:

CMA Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance and Analytics

  • 15% External Financial Reporting Decisions
  • 20% Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting
  • 20% Performance Management
  • 15% Cost Management
  • 15% Internal Controls
  • 15% Technology and Analytics

CMA Part 2: Strategic Financial Management

  • 20% Financial Statement Analysis
  • 20% Corporate Finance
  • 25% Decision Analysis
  • 10% Risk Management
  • 10% Investment Decisions
  • 15% Professional Ethics

Yes, you can take the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Exam without experience. However, even if you pass the exam, you'll be unable to successfully secure a CMA designation without having met the work and experience requirements set by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA).

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary was $79,880 for accountants and auditors in 2023 — with the highest 10% earning more than $137,280.2

To earn a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation, you must1:

  1. Join the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) as a member
  2. Enroll as a CMA candidate
  3. Pass the CMA exam
  4. Meet the education and work experience requirements

According to the IMA, CMA Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance and Analytics requires 170 study hours on average, which you can achieve within 10-13 weeks. CMA Part 2: Strategic Financial Management, on the other hand, takes about 130 study hours and 8-11 weeks.1

There is no accounting certificate that can be plainly labeled as the easiest. It all depends on what areas of accounting interest you most and which certificate suits your skill set best.

SNHU offers several graduate-level accounting certificates:

  1. Graduate Certificate in Accounting
  2. Graduate Certificate in Forensic Accounting & Fraud Examination
  3. Graduate Certificate in Management Accounting

You may also take advantage of one of SNHU's graduate-level online CPA certificates:

  1. Graduate Certificate in Business Analysis & Reporting for Accounting
  2. Graduate Certificate in Tax Compliance & Planning
  3. Graduate Certificate in Information Systems & Controls

Yes, a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) is an accountant with a globally recognized credential that represents expertise in financial accounting and strategic management.

According to the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), 83% of CMAs surveyed agreed the certification boosted their professional confidence.1 In addition, the IMA also reported that CMAs earn 21% higher median annual compensation than their noncertified peers.1

In 2020, the Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA), the certification division of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), announced a worldwide pass rate of 45% on CMA Part 1: Financial Planning, Performance and Analytics and CMA Part 2: Strategic Financial Management.1

No, you cannot take the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Exam online. The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) provides test centers across the globe where candidates can take the test.1

Yes, management accounting is in demand. Certified Management Accountant (CMA) earning potential reported by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) provides a great illustration of this demand1:

  • 58% higher median annual compensation for CMAs vs. noncertified peers.
  • 50% higher median salary for CMAs aged 30-39 vs. noncertified peers

Additionally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 4% through 2032 — that's 67,400 new jobs each year.2

Yes, it's possible to get both a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) license.

For someone with a CPA designation, becoming a CMA can help open doors to different sectors, like corporate accounting.

Conversely, someone who's already a CMA might find a CPA designation helpful, because it can help them gain more advanced knowledge of taxation, auditing and day-to-day accounting.

Related Articles

Sources & Citations

1Institute of Management Accountants, on the internet, at:

  • https://www.imanet.org/en/IMA-Certifications/CMA-Certification/Benefits (viewed June 27, 2024)
  • https://www.imanet.org/en/IMA-Certifications/CMA-Certification (viewed June 27, 2024)
  • https://www.imanet.org/newsletters/cma-connection/2022/august/how-long-does-it-take-to-pass-the-cma-exam (viewed June 27, 2024)
  • https://www.imanet.org/press-releases/2020/may/icma-releases-pass-rates-for-new-cma-exam-curriculum-offers-flexibility-in-2020-testing-schedule (viewed June 27, 2024)
  • https://www.imanet.org/IMA-Certifications/CMA-Certification/Enroll-in-the-CMA (viewed June 27, 2024)

2Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm (viewed June 24, 2024). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.