The most important factor in choosing your professional certification is which certification will help YOU accomplish YOUR career goals. To get the right certification, you need to ask yourself:

• What do you want to be doing in the future?
• If you are an internal auditor now, do you want to be the chief audit executive in 10 years?
• If you are in the accounting department now, do you want to be a finance director in 5 years?
• Or maybe, instead of dreaming about having a high position in a large company, you want to start your business in 3 years and be your own boss?

There are a few well-known international certifications that will provide broad benefits to you by opening the doors for you in a number of industries and professions.

CMA (Certified Management Accountant)

This is the certification that is often the most useful certification for someone who is not certain about where specifically they want to be in five years but knows that they want to be in the area of accounting or finance or a management-level position in a company. The CMA syllabus is based on how a business operates and the decisions a manager needs to make. The CMA content helps an individual know much more about the operations of the business, and the needs of the decision-makers in the business. This understanding of how management operates a business will ultimately help an individual add value to the business. It will not limit you to only accounting or finance because the syllabus covers many of the areas of a business’s operations in its syllabus. Start studying for the CMA Exam with a free 3-day trial.

CPA (Certified Public Accountant) 

If you want to work for an external audit firm or be in a high position in the finance function of a large multinational, you may need to be a CPA. CPA’s are respected and trusted in not only matters of tax (at the state level and before the Internal Revenue Service), but also in financial planning, corporate structure and other high-level financial functions. Starting near the end of the first quarter of 2025, HOCK & Farhat CPA materials will be available for self-studying through a subscription model. Please fill out this form if you want to be notified when the materials are available.

FMAA (Financial and Managerial Accounting Associate)

This certification is the foundation that allows young professionals to immediately demonstrate their proficiency in accounting-related items. As a person entering the workforce with limited (or no) professional experience, an FMAA credential helps set you apart from others. Holding this certificate validates your understanding of accounting and financial management, statement analysis and preparation, planning and budgeting, cost management, performance metrics, and professional ethics – the core competencies that any good accounting professional needs. FMAA shows employers that you’re serious about your profession, you know what the profession entails, and you’re ready to be an asset to the company on your first day. Click here to start your free 3-day FMAA trial.

EA (Enrolled Agent)

If you want to focus solely on taxation as a career, the Enrolled Agent certification may be the path to choose. EA’s are the only federally-licensed tax practitioners who a) have a specialization in taxation and b) have unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the US Internal Revenue Service. This certification is similar to that of a CPA (or even an attorney) but differs in that an EA’s sole focus and specialty is tax. In contrast, CPAs and attorneys generally have a broader focus with less depth, specifically on tax matters. If understanding complex tax law and using that knowledge to work on behalf of others appeals to you, then HOCK can assist you in earning your EA certification. Start studying for the EA exams with a free 3-day trial.

ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)

ACCA is very similar to CPA in who it is for – those who want a career working in core accounting and finance functions – but it has easier eligibility requirements. It is well-respected in the UK and Europe and is known worldwide. Unfortunately, there are many more exams that you either need to be exempt from or pass. It is possible that you will need to spend several years passing your ACCA exams. Click here to learn more about ACAA credentials. 

CSCA (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis)

If your professional vision has you being an integral part of assessing and charting the future for an organization, the CSCA credential is one to consider – regardless of any other certification you may want to earn. Strategic thinking and demonstrated analytical expertise are in high demand, and being able to demonstrate that competency to an employer opens doors for you. Previously available to only CMA credential-holders, the CSCA is now available to any person holding a Bachelor’s degree (or educational equivalent) and two years of professional work experience. This certification stands strong on its own but can also amplify other certifications you hold – providing ample opportunity to be noticed. Exams are offered twice yearly for CSCA, and HOCK can help you fully prepare to pass the MCQ/essay-based test. Click here to start your free 3-day CSCA trial.

CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)

Financial Analysts are responsible for a variety of research tasks to inform investment strategy and make investment decisions for their company or clients. These roles are data-intensive and require strong mathematical and analytical skills. Employment opportunities for financial analysts include large corporations such as investment banks, insurance companies, and similar types of organizations. If you want to work in these types of organizations, you should strongly consider becoming a CFA.

CIA (Certified Internal Auditor)

Internal audits are crucial for companies to maintain legal compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines. Auditors handle the hard work of making sure companies are compliant – testing financial controls, adjusting corporate finance designs, identifying vulnerabilities in the current system and working across the company to fix them – ultimately setting the company up for success under scrutiny.  If you want to work as an internal auditor, you absolutely should become a CIA. Learn more about the CIA certification.

CRMA (Certified in Risk Management Assurance)

An extension of the Internal Auditor’s role, CRMA is an internationally recognized IIA (Institute of Internal Auditors) certification validating the holder’s in-depth understanding of organizational risk management. The focus here is to ultimately provide strategic advice on an organization after evaluating its risk management controls and processes – reinforcing strengths, uncovering weaknesses, and shoring up any holes in its current structure. To be eligible for this credential, you must first hold the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) certificate and have five years of relevant professional experience. Learn more about CRMA credential.

CIMA (Certified Investment Management Analyst)

CIMA is one of the leading management accounting certifications. When paired with the ACCA certification, it approaches a similar level of understanding and respect that one acquires through CMA Certification. Unfortunately, like ACCA, it has a large number of exams that you either need to be exempt from, or you need to pass. Click here to learn more information about CIMA certification. 

The key is to choose the right certification for you. That certification is the one that will help YOU achieve YOUR career goals. That large, positive return on the investment from your certification comes only if it provides value to you by preparing you for what you want to do in the future! And remember, the sooner you get your professional certification, the sooner you will be able to start collecting all of the benefits that come with being certified.