IMA’s “myCMA” series spotlights valued members of the CMA^® (Certified Management Accountant) community. Learn about their journey with the certification—and get tips on advancing your own. This issue’s featured CMA is:

	Name:	Giuseppe Torre
	Company:	Salesforce.com
	Title:	Senior Project Accountant
	Location:	Morges, Switzerland

 

1. How did you first come across the CMA and what made you decide to go for it?
   
   After working for several years at multinational companies, mainly in auditing and accounting, I considered pursuing an internationally recognized certification in line with my personal interests and professional path (controlling in the industrial sector). I chose the CMA for the extensive topic areas covered, the program’s visibility, and the timing required to complete the full program. The exam is practical: You study the theory, but mainly you learn how to apply the theory to real life.
   
   
2. In what ways do you think the CMA has impacted your career or professional journey?
   
   CMA is synonymous with competence and compliance with standards increasingly required by the market. Combined with relevant working experience, the CMA offers a distinctive competitive edge. I also appreciate that IMA is a member of IFAC (International Federation of Accountants), which is present in 140 countries with more than 300 associations and a network of more than 100,000 professionals.
   
   
3. What is your proudest career moment or milestone as a CMA?
   
   I was able to complete the full program in 12 months from the moment I enrolled, by studying before and after work and in my spare time. I’ve also provided support and guidance to young professionals interested in pursuing the CMA, talking with them about my experience and sharing useful information and practical advice on how to prepare and pass the exams. I’m also proud of having helped organize a webinar on behalf of the IMA Switzerland Chapter, along with PwC experts, on the topic of GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).
   
   
4. What’s the best piece of advice you would give to CMA hopefuls?
   
   The CMA covers financial accounting, but it also offers numerous theoretical and practical insights on topics such as cost accounting, budgeting and forecasting methodologies, variance analysis, internal controls, financial decision making, and more. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for those who intend to develop a professional path strongly linked to these topics. Furthermore, CMA is a certification with a strong focus on the application of standards and best practices to real business life, and so it requires practical experience and in-depth knowledge.
   
   
5. For those taking the exam, what study tip(s) can you share?
   
   The exam is in English and it requires a good knowledge and understanding of the language. It is also important to be motivated, organized, and determined to follow your own study plan and to practice with multiple choice questions and essays. Time is a factor for the exam, so I would advise doing several exam simulations to help you understand your strengths and weaknesses and to help you close any gaps in your knowledge. Finally, I recommend preparing for the exams with the help of an exam review course.
   
   
6. What’s the one thing you know now that you wish you knew at the start of your career?
   
   There are several things I wish I knew: the importance of having diverse experiences; the importance of investing in continuous learning and training; the importance of networking; the importance of embracing challenges and getting out of your comfort zone. I also think it’s fundamental to have clear personal and professional goals and to pursue them efficiently and effectively, because if you know where you are going, then any path will take you there.

Share YOUR Story
We’d love to hear your CMA story! Please contact Lori Parks, staff writer/editor, at lori.parks@imanet.org or +1 (201) 474-1536.