The Management Accounting Foundation Certificate is a foundational-level certificate that recognizes the core skills of financial accounting and management accounting. It provides individuals with the opportunity to develop their education and skills. The Management Accounting Foundation Certificate is jointly offered by ACCA and IMA®.

Through a strategic partnership between ACCA and IMA, the two organizations are collaborating to advance the management accounting profession. This includes developing products and services to enhance the career prospects of individuals and the organizational capability of employers. Both organizations see a market need to offer foundation training in management accounting.

The certificate is suitable for anyone looking to earn an introductory qualification in management accounting. This includes those who have not completed a college/university degree or those already working in accounts-support roles.

There are no academic qualifications or work experience requirements to pursue the certificate. Candidates should check their English and math skills by using ACCA’s free self-check modules to determine current abilities. Visit the ACCA’s Virtual Learning Centre at http://studentvirtuallearn.accaglobal.com/.

The Management Accounting Foundation Certificate has three components– two exams and an online learning module– MA1: Management Information (two-hour exam), MA2: Managing Costs and Finances (two-hour exam), and Foundations in Professionalism (an online, self-directed learning module). Upon completion of these three components, candidates are eligible to receive the certificate.

The Management Accounting Foundation Certificate does not replace the CMA certification. The CMA is an advanced-level certification program, attesting a professional’s mastery of financial planning, analysis, control, and decision support. The CMA has distinct educational, work experience, and continuing education requirements. The Management Accounting Foundation Certificate can serve as a foundational introduction to the subject matter covered in advanced management accounting certification programs, including the CMA.

The fees for the Management Accounting Foundation Certificate (payable in £sterling to ACCA) are as follows:

Registration for the certificate is handled by ACCA. Candidates may register as a student onto Foundations in Accountancy by visiting ACCA’s website at
http://www.accaglobal.com/en/qualifications/apply-now.html.

Following completion of the Management Accounting Foundation Certificate, candidates have the option of either continuing as a student of ACCA or ending ACCA registration.

You can take exams as either paper-based exams or computer-based exams.

Paper exams are held twice a year – in June and December. ACCA operates over 400 examination centres in more than 170 countries at each examination session. Special facilities can be arranged for disabled students, and where appropriate (for example, in remote areas or where religion places restrictions on attendance at regular examination centres.) ACCA will consider requests to set up alternative examination centres.

It is possible to arrange paper-based exams at centres other regular exam centres database. These are referred to as special centres. Please visit http://www.accaglobal.com for further information on exam centres.

It is also possible to sit for exams as computer-based exams (CBEs). CBEs offer you greater flexibility as you can sit them at any time of the year and exam results are provided instantly. CBEs need to be completed at an ACCA approved licensed centre. You will need to make your own arrangements directly with the licensed centre. Details of centres are available on the ACCA website.

It’s up to you to decide how you wish to prepare for the exams. There are various study options available including face-to-face, distance learning, online and self-study, and you can study on a full-time or part-time basis.

If you decide to study with a learning provider, we recommend you use one that has been approved by ACCA – referred to as Approved Learning Partner – Student Tuition or ALP-st. They can be either gold or platinum status. Please visit the ACCA website to access the learning provider directory.

Irrespective of how you decide to study, we recommend you use the most up-to-date study materials produced by ACCA’s Approved learning Partners –content (ALP-c). Approval is granted only to high-quality content providers which ACCA are confident to recommend ACCA has gold and platinum ALP-c providers. A list of these providers can be found on the ACCA website: www.accaglobal.com.

Candidates successfully completing the three components of the certificate will be notified by e-mail by ACCA. This message will also include instructions for obtaining the ACCA/IMA co-branded certificate.

Individuals who complete the certificate can pursue a variety of endeavors. Certificate holders work in a variety of accounts-support and cost accounting administration roles within an accounting department of an organization, especially in small- to mid-sized organizations.

Certificate holders can choose to go to complete ACCA’s Intermediate Certificate in Financial and Management Accounting or the Diploma in Accounting and Business as a route on to the ACCA Qualification or continue studies with IMA to earn the Certified Management Accounting (CMA) credential.