Both the CPA and CMA are highly respected, but their value depends on your career path. The CPA (Certified Public Accountant) is considered the "gold standard" for public accounting, auditing, and tax in the U.S.. The CMA (Certified Management Accountant) is more respected for corporate finance, strategic management, and global career opportunities.
Salaries for CPAs range from $82,000 to $129,000, CMAs earn between $76,000 and $133,000, while CFAs can make $126,000 to $177,000. Each certification offers unique advantages tailored to different career goals within the finance and accounting sectors.
A CPA's average annual compensation throughout the course of their career is around $120,000, while a CMA's typical annual salary is around $100,000.
The CPA Exam. You've heard the horror stories: It's derailed the careers of promising professionals. It's definitely harder than the BAR exam and maybe even some medical board exams. And it's nearly impossible to pass once you're a working professional.
You may wonder, can you really pass all four sections of the CPA exam in 3 months? The answer is yes, you can! While the preparation will be tedious, it's definitely doable.
differentiate themselves in a competitive and dynamic business environment. Acquiring both the CMA (Certified Management Accountant) and CPA (Certified Public Accountant) certifications demonstrates that holders have varied and essential skills and expertise.
In 2025, Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) will continue to be one of the most in-demand healthcare roles in the United States.
Why is the pass rate so low? It's not because the exam is unfair—it's because many CMA candidates underestimate the preparation needed. Unlike college exams, where cramming might get you through, the CMA exam consists of deep, practical financial and strategic concepts that require profound understanding.
The hardest accounting certification is often considered to be:
CPA vs CMA Salaries
According to industry data, a CPA earns 15% more in average salary than a non-CPA accountant. However, CMA certification translates to a 63% premium in compensation over professionals without a CMA.
How many times can you fail the Uniform CPA examination? There is no limit. You may fail and retake as many times as needed, as long as you complete all four within 18 months.
We're also seeing very high demand for many accounting positions through 2025, from entry-level positions up to senior-level management positions. Staff accountants are essential to the day-to-day accuracy of an organization's financial operations and are often the backbone of an accounting department.
To be in the top 1% of US earners, you generally need an income well over $700,000 nationally, with figures around $794,000 cited for recent years, but this varies significantly by state, requiring over $1 million in places like Connecticut and Massachusetts, while being around $400,000-$450,000 in lower-cost states like West Virginia and Mississippi.
It's never too late to become a CPA. In fact, you may find the process more manageable at this stage in life. And, most importantly, you'll still get to enjoy the many benefits of becoming a licensed CPA.
There's no cap on how many times you can take the CPA exam. But there's a catch: You have to complete all sections within a window that kicks off the moment you nail the first one. Since the NASBA recommended a shift to 30 month window, many states (like Florida) have extended their testing requirements.
Students should take the CPA exams between 2-3 months. If using 2 months to study, this will provide room to retake 1-2 exams and still finish within 12 months. If a student takes 3 months per exam, then they will need to pass each exam on the first try to pass in 12 months.