Top 11 Accounting Manager Certifications

Certifications are an important tool for accounting managers to demonstrate their knowledge and experience to potential employers. They provide a way for employers to gauge the competency of job candidates and verify that they have the necessary skills and qualifications for the position. Certifications also allow accounting managers to stay current on industry trends and best practices, which can help them stay ahead of the competition in the job market. Additionally, certifications can open up opportunities for advancement within an organization or even new job opportunities at other organizations. Ultimately, having certifications can show potential employers that an accounting manager is qualified and knowledgeable about their field of work.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the most beneficial certifications for Accounting Managers and explain how these certifications can help to advance their career.

What are Accounting Manager Certifications?

Accounting manager certification is a professional credential that recognizes an individual's expertise in accounting management. It demonstrates to employers and clients that the holder has the knowledge and skills necessary to manage a variety of accounting-related functions. This certification can be obtained through various organizations, such as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) or the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA).

The benefits of obtaining an accounting manager certification are numerous. First, it provides employers with assurance that their financial processes are being managed effectively and efficiently by individuals who have been trained in the most up-to-date accounting practices and principles. Additionally, it may provide job seekers with an edge when competing for positions within the field as many employers prefer to hire those who hold this credential. Furthermore, it helps individuals stay ahead of industry trends and advancements by making them aware of new developments in the profession. Finally, holding this credential may also lead to higher salaries or promotions within one's current role due to its recognition in the marketplace.

Pro Tip: Consider obtaining an accounting manager certification to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the field. This certification can help you stand out from the competition, boost your credentials and increase your potential for career advancement.

Related: What does an Accounting Manager do?

Top 11 Accounting Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Accounting Managers today.

1. Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a professional designation given to individuals who have met certain educational and experience requirements, passed a national exam, and fulfilled the requirements of their state board of accountancy. CPAs are licensed by the state in which they practice and must adhere to a strict code of professional ethics. They provide services such as auditing financial statements, preparing tax returns, providing financial advice, and consulting on business transactions.

It typically takes four years to become a CPA. This includes completing an undergraduate degree program that meets specific educational requirements set forth by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). After graduating with an accounting degree, candidates must pass the Uniform CPA Exam administered by the AICPA. Once all requirements are met, candidates can apply for licensure through their state board of accountancy.

The cost of becoming a CPA varies depending on factors such as tuition rates for accounting courses and fees associated with taking the CPA exam. Generally speaking, students should expect to pay several thousand dollars in tuition costs over four years and hundreds or thousands more in exam fees.

2. Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

Certified Management Accountant (CMA) is a professional certification for accountants and financial professionals. It is awarded by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). The CMA designation recognizes the knowledge and skills needed to manage an organization's financial resources, including budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, cost management, performance measurement, and strategic planning.

It typically takes about one to two years to complete the requirements for the CMA designation. To become a CMA you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and have at least two years of professional experience in management accounting or financial management. You must also pass a two-part exam administered by IMA.

The cost of becoming a CMA varies depending on your study materials, exam preparation courses, and other costs associated with earning the designation. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere between $1,000-$3,000 USD to become a CMA.

3. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)

Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) is an internationally recognized professional certification for internal auditors. It is awarded by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), a global professional association dedicated to promoting excellence in the practice of internal auditing. The CIA designation is designed to demonstrate an individual's knowledge, skills and proficiency in the field of internal auditing.

In order to become certified as a CIA, individuals must meet certain criteria and pass a rigorous exam. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least three years of professional experience in internal auditing or related fields, such as accounting or finance. In addition, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

The CIA exam consists of four parts: Part 1 – Internal Audit Basics; Part 2 – Practice of Internal Auditing; Part 3 – Business Analysis and Information Technology; and Part 4 – Financial Services Industry Knowledge. Each part contains multiple-choice questions and case studies that test an applicant’s knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in each section.

The cost to take the CIA exam varies depending on your country of residence and whether you are taking it online or in person. Generally speaking, it costs around $500 USD for all four parts combined. Additionally, you will need to pay an annual membership fee to maintain your certification status with IIA which ranges from $50-$150 USD depending on your country of residence.

Overall, it typically takes between 6-12 months to complete all four parts of the CIA exam depending on how much time you can dedicate to studying each week.

4. Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)

Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) is a professional designation for management accountants and financial professionals. It is offered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). The CGMA designation recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge, skills, and experience in management accounting.

It typically takes two to three years to complete the CGMA program and earn the designation. To become a CGMA, you must first meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having at least five years of relevant work experience or completing an approved education program such as an MBA or CPA certification. You also need to pass two exams: the CGMATM Exam and the CGMATM Professional Competency Exam.

The cost of becoming a CGMA varies depending on which route you choose. If you are taking the self-study route, it will cost around $1,000 for both exams plus any additional materials you may need. If you are taking an approved education program such as an MBA or CPA certification, then your costs will vary depending on your school's tuition fees.

Overall, becoming a CGMA requires dedication and hard work but can be very rewarding in terms of career advancement opportunities and increased earning potential.

5. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) is a certification offered by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). It is designed to demonstrate an individual’s expertise in IT auditing, control, and security. CISA holders are considered experts in the field of information systems audit, control, and security.

To become a CISA certified professional, one must first meet the eligibility requirements set forth by ISACA. These include having at least five years of cumulative paid work experience in information systems auditing, control, or security within the last 10 years prior to submitting an application for certification.

The next step is to pass the CISA exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within four hours. The exam fee is $575 for members of ISACA and $760 for non-members.

Once you have passed the exam, you will need to submit an application for certification along with proof of your work experience and payment of a certification fee ($50 for members and $100 for non-members). Once your application has been approved by ISACA, you will be awarded your CISA certification.

The CISA certification is valid for three years from the date it was issued. To maintain your certification status, you must complete at least 120 continuing professional education (CPE) credits every three years and pay an annual maintenance fee ($45 for members and $85 for non-members).

6. Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)

Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) is a professional certification issued by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the detection and deterrence of fraud. The CFE credential is awarded to individuals who have completed a series of exams and met other requirements.

It typically takes between six months and one year to complete the CFE program, depending on the individual’s experience level and availability of study time. To become certified, candidates must first pass an online exam that covers topics such as fraud prevention, detection, investigation, and reporting. After passing this exam, candidates must then complete a four-day seminar or workshop. Finally, they must pass a second exam that covers advanced topics in fraud examination.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the country in which you are located. In the United States, it costs approximately $1,500 for the entire program including both exams and the seminar/workshop.

7. Accredited Business Valuator (ABV)

Accredited Business Valuator (ABV) is a professional designation given to individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in the field of business valuation. The ABV credential is administered by the American Society of Appraisers, and it requires successful completion of a comprehensive examination and education program.

The ABV credential is designed to recognize those who are qualified to perform business valuations for financial reporting, tax, litigation, and other purposes. It requires a minimum of three years of experience in business valuation or related fields, as well as successful completion of an educational program that includes courses on financial statement analysis, accounting principles, economic theory, and business valuation techniques.

It typically takes between two and four years to complete the requirements for the ABV credential. To become an Accredited Business Valuator (ABV), applicants must pass a comprehensive examination that covers the topics discussed in their educational program. In addition to passing the exam, applicants must also demonstrate their experience by providing references from employers or clients who can attest to their work in business valuation or related fields.

The cost for obtaining the ABV credential varies depending on where you take your courses and exams. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $2,000 - $5,000 USD for tuition fees and exam costs.

8. Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)

Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) is a professional certification program offered by the Association of Government Accountants (AGA). The CGFM Program is designed to recognize and promote excellence in government financial management. It certifies that individuals have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of a government financial manager at a high level of competence.

It typically takes around 12-18 months to complete all three exams required for the CGFM certification. The exams are: Governmental Environment, Governmental Accounting and Financial Reporting, and Governmental Budgeting and Fiscal Management.

To get certified, you must first become an AGA member. You can then register for the CGFM Program through their website. After registering, you will need to pass all three exams within a five year period in order to be certified as a CGFM.

The cost for becoming an AGA member is $150 per year plus $50 for each exam taken ($200 per exam). This means that it will cost between $650-950 to become certified as a CGFM (depending on how many exams you take at once).

9. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) is a professional designation given by the CFA Institute, formerly known as the Association for Investment Management and Research (AIMR). The CFA designation is considered to be one of the most prestigious certifications in the financial industry. It is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated a high level of competency and ethical standards in investment management, financial analysis, and portfolio management.

It typically takes four years to complete all three levels of the CFA Program. The program consists of three exams: Level I, II, and III. Each exam must be passed with a minimum score in order to progress to the next level. In addition, candidates must also have four years of professional work experience in an investment-related field before they can become a CFA charterholder.

In order to get started on your path towards becoming a CFA charterholder, you will need to register with the CFA Institute and pay an enrollment fee. After registering, you will need to purchase study materials from the CFA Institute or other sources such as textbooks or online courses. You will then need to dedicate time each week studying for your exams and preparing for them.

The cost of enrolling in the CFA Program varies depending on which country you are applying from and when you register for each exam level. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,000 USD per exam level plus additional fees for registration and study materials.

10. Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA)

Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) is a professional designation awarded by the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA). The CVA credential is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge, experience, and expertise in business valuation.

In order to obtain the CVA credential, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements, including:

- Hold a valid professional license or certification in an accounting or legal field;

- Have at least three years of experience in business valuation;

- Pass the NACVA’s CVA Exam; and

- Submit to a background check.

The CVA Exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions covering topics such as financial statement analysis, economic analysis, valuation approaches and methods, industry analysis, report writing, and professional ethics. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete.

The cost for taking the CVA Exam varies depending on whether you are a NACVA member or nonmember. For members, the cost is $495; for nonmembers it is $595. In addition to the exam fee, there is also an annual renewal fee of $125 for both members and nonmembers.

11. Enrolled Agent (EA).

Enrolled Agent (EA) is a federally-authorized tax practitioner who has technical expertise in the field of taxation and who is empowered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to represent taxpayers before all administrative levels of the Internal Revenue Service for audits, collections, and appeals. EAs are the only tax professionals who receive their right to practice from the federal government.

To become an EA, individuals must pass a three-part examination administered by the IRS covering individual and business tax returns. The exam tests knowledge of taxation, ethics, and representation rights. Once an individual passes all three parts of the exam, they will be granted enrolled agent status by the IRS.

The process of becoming an EA typically takes between six months to one year depending on how quickly an individual can complete the required coursework and pass all three parts of the exam.

The cost associated with becoming an EA includes application fees, course materials (if applicable), and exam fees. The exact cost will vary depending on how much preparation is needed for each part of the exam and whether or not any additional courses are taken prior to taking the exams.

Do You Really Need a Accounting Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on a few factors. First, what goals do you have for your career? If you are looking to become an accounting manager, then a certificate may be beneficial in helping you gain the knowledge and skills necessary for the role. A certificate can provide you with the technical understanding of financial principles and accounting processes that are essential for success as an accounting manager.

Second, what level of experience do you already have in the field? If you already have some experience in financial accounting or management, then a certificate may not be necessary. However, if you are just starting out in the field and want to show potential employers that you are serious about learning more about accounting, then obtaining a certificate could be beneficial. It can demonstrate that you are serious about developing your skillset and can help make up for any lack of experience.

Overall, whether or not an accounting manager certificate is needed will depend on your individual goals and level of experience. It is important to consider all of these factors before making a decision as to whether or not it is necessary for your career path.

Related: Accounting Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Accounting Manager Certifications

1. What qualifications do I need to become an Accounting Manager?

Answer: To become an Accounting Manager, you should have a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or a related field. Additionally, you may need experience in the accounting field and/or professional certifications such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Certified Internal Auditor (CIA).

2. How much does an Accounting Manager Certification cost?

Answer: The cost of an Accounting Manager Certification varies depending on the type of certification you are pursuing and the organization offering it. Generally, CPA certifications range from $300-$2,000 while CMA and CIA certifications can be upwards of $3,000.

3. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining an Accounting Manager Certification?

Answer: Depending on the type of certification you are pursuing, there may be certain prerequisites that must be met before obtaining your certification. For example, most organizations require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or a related field before being eligible for the certification. Additionally, some organizations may require applicants to have prior experience in the accounting field or passing scores on professional exams such as the CPA exam or CMA exam.

4. What is the benefit of becoming an Accounting Manager with a Certification?

Answer: Obtaining an Accounting Manager Certification demonstrates to employers that you have acquired knowledge and skills necessary for success in this role. It also serves as proof that you are up-to-date with industry standards and regulations which can help boost your credibility within the company and increase your chances of career advancement opportunities.

5. How long does it take to earn an Accounting Manager Certification?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to earn an Accounting Manager Certification depends on several factors including whether you already possess any prerequisite credentials such as a bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance and if so how much additional coursework is required for completion of the certification program. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from 6 months to two years depending on these factors.