Professor Elam

Accounting & Investing Info for San Antonio A & M

recent posts

about

CIA / CMA

I have received a substantial quantity of review books for he Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Managerial Accounting Exams. This material is from the Gleim organization, I am not compensated in any way by them.  I used Gleim when I took the CPA exam in 1975. In my opinion they are still the best and in fact the Dallas CPA Society is using their materials for the CPA review offered this year.

Gleim offer an overview of each exam and how to prepare for it.  I have placed those books in the library where you may take them with you or I have plenty in my office. IN addition there are a couple of the actual review books for the exam there.  Whether you are considering taking the exams or not, you would be well advised to read at least one of the books, each is similar in terms of advice on test preparation.

Here at UNT Dallas, Laura Smith and Greta Davis at Student Development  offer valuable advice on how to study, etc.  Gleim does this also, you will quickly see that he has an exhaustive approach that leaves nothing to chance, right down to a study schedule and an advisor to help you.

These exams require a bachelor’s degree, not 150 college hours like the CPA exam. They are also much cheaper to take.   About certifications I have one bit of advice, they are like the American Express Card, don’t leave here without it.  Explaining all the requirements is beyond this post, read the well written Gleim books instead.  But these exams are certainly achievable for a good student  who graduates in Accounting or Finance.  I urge you to dedicate yourself to achieving a professional CIA or CMA, you will never regret it and it will be a lifelong achievement of which you can be proud. This is a great way to stand out from the crowd that does not have such a cert on their resume!

www.gleim.com

www.theiia.org

www.imanet.org

Posted in

2 responses to “CIA / CMA”

  1. Adel Avatar
    Adel

    I am “from the crowd that does not have such a cert on their resume”. That’s becasue I feel that such certifications offer nothing new for accounting graduates (like me). It’s nice to brag about having such certs, but 70% of subjects included are theoretical or inapplicable in reality. And 98% of the subjects exist in any Bachelor degree in Accounting. They are made/should be made just for resumes and non-accountants !

    Like

    Reply
  2. Dennis Elam Avatar
    Dennis Elam

    It is in fact true that all subjects covered on any certification exam, be it law, architecture, optometry, whatever, are covered in the curriculum. But the coverage varies, and widely given the ever growing number of ‘universities’ on and off line. The purpose of any uniform is exam is just that, to assure the buying public that the person possessing the certification has measured up to a standard. This is not the case for someone with a degree from Yale (which once you are admitted seems to have a adopted a No Student Left Behind Without a Guaranteed Degree Plan) or Sul Ross.
    Additionally, if one is applying for a salaried job, the more one can do to show accomplishment beyond the degree level, the more one is likely to stand out. My best wishes for your success, if you are working for yourself in your own business, certification will not matter. However for many jobs in accounting, it is not legally possible to practice without passing the CPA just as it is not legally possible to practice podiatry or chiropractic.

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment