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:	Ben Wann, CMA, CPA, Six Sigma Greenbelt
	Company:	South Mill
	Title:	Senior Cost Accountant
	Location:	Kennett Square, Pa.

 

1. How did you first come across the CMA and what made you decide to go for it?
   
   I came across the CMA after I had completed the CPA. As I looked further into the CMA, it was clear that it was, by far, a more dynamic credential that showed mastery of both accounting and finance principles. I have found that the CMA is highly respected by certain employers, and I pursued the credential to make myself more competitive in the market.
   
   
2. In what ways do you think the CMA has impacted (or will impact) your professional journey?
   
   I think that the CMA shows that you’re someone who is a continuous learner and is hungry for growth. The CMA is incredibly difficult to pass so this credential vets you as someone who is intelligent and understands the bigger picture.
   
   
3. What is your proudest career moment or milestone as a CMA?
   
   My proudest career moment so far has been the process improvement work that I led at Shire Pharmaceuticals. I had identified a large opportunity in my own role by applying VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) to several Excel-based processes. After completing one project, I continued on to many other projects for various teams. I presented to management that this could greatly benefit the whole organization and that led to me training 50+ people. This involved creating the training courses, all the content, and processes to establish controls/approvals for macro workbooks. I love making accounting smarter with technology so that we can do better analysis faster.
   
   The CMA laid the foundation for the technical, internal controls, project management, and leadership skills necessary to work on an initiative like this. I also engaged with IMA mentors at times for support thanks to the program's focus on developing relationships. Throughout my time at Shire, I was able to develop an expertise in process improvement, and I saved 52 process hours a month.
   
   
4. What’s the best piece of advice you would give to CMA hopefuls?
   
   Don’t give up. Make a plan and hold yourself accountable to passing the exam. Tell as many people that you can about your plans so that you’ll be accountable to each one of them. You’ll surprise yourself with what you can achieve.
   
   
5. For those taking the exam, what study tip(s) can you share?
   
   Establish competency in each section before moving forward. Build on each section until you reach 80-90% proficiency.
   
   
6. If you could have one superpower in the world, what would it be?
   
   I would have the ability to have super speed. Sometimes, there just aren’t enough hours in the day to do the things that I have in my mind.

Share YOUR Story
We’d love to hear your CMA story! Please contact Margaret Michaels, manager of brand content and storytelling, at margaret.michaels@imanet.org or (201) 474-1614.