Chartered Management Accountant

Job overview
Financial gain is the criterion by which progress and management success is measured.

The provision of financial data is therefore central to the work of chartered management accountants.

They provide management with advice on the profitability or otherwise of various possibilities?

What do people do in this job?
Chartered management accountants are mainly concerned with assembling, collating and interpreting a large amount of information and advice concerning costs and cost trends, level of performance, budget and so forth, which is required daily.

The CMAs apply their analytical and financial skills to the decision-making process as vital members of the management team.

In a competitive market, chartered management accountants are key figures in determining development and efficiency.

They render invaluable service to the management of organisations by identifying, presenting and interpreting financial and other information required for decision-making and control.

They also assess the impact of change throughout the organisation.

The facts they provide serve as a basis for the determination of the feasibility of any enterprise.

Chartered management accountants make use of computers to help them provide the in-depth information required.

Organisations of every type use the expertise of chartered management accountants in matters such as budget control, labour compensation, expense calculation, price determination, management guidance etc where analysis and control of expenditure are necessary.

What kinds of people are suitable for this career?
An interest in and aptitude for mathematics is a basic requirement and CMAs must be able to work methodically and think logically. ?They have to be prepared to take the responsibility for decisions made on their recommendation. ?They have to be able to work under pressure and comply with high ethical and professional standards.

What qualifications are needed?
A degree in accountancy or cost and management accounting is the normal basic qualification. ?In addition, several years of work-related experience or on-the-job training is expected.