How to Get Free CPE Credits for CMA?
Ensuring the Renewal and meeting the CPE Compliances are important. Failing the IMA compliances may lead to revocation of CMA status and deactivation of the IMA account.
Are you a Certified Management Accountant looking for some free CPE credits? Do you really know all the free sources of CPE credits for CMAs?
Find below the brief discussion and list of free credible sources to attain Credit without spending a penny.
Not every platform offers CPE courses compliant with IMA. Free courses often consist of demos with lengthy sponsor commercials, which can be a drawback.
MYCPE ONE provides unsponsored, free CPE content to evaluate the quality of our regular courses presented.
MYCPE ONE offers 4,800+ hours of IMA-compliant content for just $199, providing unlimited access to CPE courses. This includes 2,585+ premium courses covering various subjects, including ethics. Industry experts guide CMAs in testing and subscribing, allowing them to fulfill all their CPE requirements with ease.
Courses | Reg. link | Credits | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Being “Agile”, for Real – Move Beyond the Bland Buzzwords | 1 Credit | 4.5 | |
Projected Financials: Crafting and Analyzing Pro Forma Statements | 1 Credit | 4.5 | |
Mastering Financial Month-End Close: Tips for Timely and Accurate Reporting | 1 Credit | 4.7 |
Source- Trustpilot
The IMA (Institute of Management Accountants) offers CPE credits through courses and webinars at their education center. These courses and webinars are free.
But, relying on free sources will not be efficient to complete your requirements. Free courses are eligible for IMA members only. Non-members have to pay more for the same course. The paid courses may cost $80 to $120 just for 2 CPE. Also, the free courses may not include your field of interest and expertise.
Working as an instructor helps you to develop adaptability, problem-solving, and leadership skills. They count it as a contribution to the professional field and skill development. The lecture hours are qualified for CPE credits. If the course material does not change, the instructor can claim the credit once every three years.
However, finding the right venue for the lecture can be challenging. Also, not all lectures qualify for credit.
You can get credit hours for creating and publishing relevant content in Articles, Monographs, and Books. The industry counts it as a knowledge contribution. The IMA only gives credits for publishing content related to accounting and financial management.
Submitting and publishing a Technical article is qualified for half credit. An accounting and management article can earn up to six credits. Depending on IMA, other Books and Monographs are eligible for Max 20 Credits.
Leading a seminar course or participating in a workshop can be among the best ways to free CPE as they are qualified for CPE hours. Follow some conditions: the course must be professional, business-oriented, and associated with a professional development center only.
Credit is only obtained for the first-time seminar delivery recorded as the number of presentation hours multiplied by two.
Professional growth and CPE compliance are more than just a rule for CMAs. Continuous learning proves their excellence, dedication, and standard of distinction. By continuously improving their skills and competencies, they uphold their weight in the professional world.
Earning free CPE can be a cost-saving and valuable strategy, but it has a relatively lesser contribution to professional development.
IMA mandates that CMAs Complete 30 hours of CPE credits a calendar year, focusing on 2 hours of ethics. 60 CPE credit hours must be completed in a cumulative two years only in approved subject areas.
No, for the CPE credits, professionals must apply for the education outside their employment. However, IMA approves employer-based training from specific hired instructors.
Failing the CPE compliances may lead to the deactivation of the IMA account and the revocation of CMA status. The dispute is only resolved with the IMA by completing the CPE requirement of earning 60 hours of credit, including ethical requirements, at the end of the second year.
CMAs can also earn up to 40 Credits as they can carry forward 10 hours of general courses in the subsequent year. If you earned 32 hours, only 2 hours can be carried over. If you earned 60, even then, only 10 hours are applicable for carrying forward.
The author Imtiaz Munshi is a Certified Public Accountant and CFO at Azstec, LLC. He is Business Strategist, Tax Planner, Entrepreneur and Advisor to "HNEs" (High Net Worth Entrepreneurs).
Nicholas Branson, CPA
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