The website of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) at http://www.imanet.org/ (Opens in a new window. Plain text: http://www.imanet.org/) provides an overview of the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation. (See CMA Certification, Become a CMA.)

The website of the American Institute of Public Accountants (AICPA) at http://www.aicpa.org (Opens in a new window. Plain text: http://www.aicpa.org) provides an overview of the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation. (See Become a CPA, Getting Started.)

Review the information provided on these two websites. Then:

Compare and contrast these two professional designations (that is, the CMA and CPA).

Identify the professional designation(s) (that is, the CMA, CPA, or both) that you think best suits you.