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Best controller/finance manager certifications
Controller/finance manager certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an controller/finance manager to employers. However, not all controller/finance manager certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for a controller/finance manager are Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), and Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA).
Below is a list of the best controller/finance manager certifications. Obtaining an controller/finance manager certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
4 best certifications for controller/finance managers
| Rank | Controller/finance manager certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Management Accountant (CMA) | IMA |
| 2 | Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) | CGMA |
| 3 | Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) | Association o... |
| 4 | Project Management Professional (PMP) | PMI |
4 best controller/finance manager certifications
1. Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
The CMA (Certified Management Accountant) is the advanced professional certification specifically designed to measure the accounting and financial management skills that drive business performance.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
2. Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)
The CGMA letters are worth having after your name. They stand for Chartered Global Management Accountant and they show employers that you mean business. The CGMA designation is the most widely held management accounting designation in the world. It boldly announces your commercial skills, strategic vision and transformational mindset. Employers, colleagues and stakeholders alike will recognize that you’ve got entrepreneurial and leadership acumen. That you’re in a pivotal position to analyze information, advise strategy and drive business success. And they’ll know all this just by looking at those four letters after your name.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
3. Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA)
ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is a global body for professional accountants with 219,000 members and 517,000 students in 179 countries. It was granted a Royal Charter in 1974 which commits it to acting in and upholding the public interest. ACCA works through a network of 110 offices and centres and 7,571 Approved Employers worldwide, and 328 approved learning providers who provide high standards of learning and development. In addition to IFAC membership, ACCA is represented on key regional forums including the ASEAN Federation of Accountants (AFA), the Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants (CAPA), Accountancy Europe, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of the Caribbean (ICAC), the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA), and is a member of CCAB in the UK and Ireland. It undertakes wide-ranging capacity building work globally and has an extensive network of partnerships with other professional accountancy organizations.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
4. Project Management Professional (PMP)
The PMP designation following your name tells current and potential employers that you have demonstrated a solid foundation of knowledge from which you can competently practice project management.To be eligible for a PMP Credential, you must first meet specific educational and project management experience requirements and agree to adhere to a code of professional conduct. The final step to becoming a PMP is passing a rigorous multiple-choice examination designed to objectively assess and measure your ability to apply project management knowledge in the following six domains: initiating the project, planning the project, executing the project, monitoring and controlling the project, closing the project, and professional and social responsibility. This computer-based examination is administered globally with translation aids in 10 languages.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
What is the best certification for a controller/finance manager?
The best controller/finance manager certification is Certified Management Accountant (CMA). The Certified Management Accountant (CMA) is awarded by the The Association of Accountants and Financial Professionals in Business. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this controller/finance manager certification:
- To become a certified Certified Management Accountant (CMA), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 1 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for controller/finance managers?
The most in-demand controller/finance manager certification is Project Management Professional based on all active job postings. Having this controller/finance manager certification will give you access to more controller/finance manager jobs with higher salaries.
The most common combination of controller/finance manager certifications include: Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), and Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA).
Online courses for controller/finance managers to earn certifications
1. Introduction to Sarbanes Oxley (SOX)
This course is an overview of the proper processes, controls and tests for adequate internal control...
2. Bank Reconciliations & Cash Internal Controls
Mastering Internal Controls and Cash Management: Safeguarding Business Assets and Ensuring Financial Accuracy...
3. SAP Finance and Controlling
Master SAP Finance and Controlling...
4. Internal Controls - Design, Implementation and Monitoring
Become a compliance specialist, maintain strong internal controls for SOX or FCPA, prepare for internal & external audit...
5. Financial Accounting-Adjusting Entries & Financial Statement
Master Adjusting Entries & Financial Statements: A Comprehensive Guide for Accurate Accounting and Reporting...
6. Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) ITGC Audit Concepts and Coordination
IT Compliance Training...
7. Cost Accounting and Financial Management - A Complete Study
Learn theory and practical concepts in Cost Accounting and Financial Management with loads of video lectures...
8. Finance & Accounting for Management Consultants and Analysts
A practical guide that will help you understand financial statements & do financial analyses during consulting projects...
9. Principles of Financial Accounting
Learn the complete accounting cycle -recording business transactions to presenting the Balance Sheet & Income Statement...
10. Financial Statements: Balance Sheet, Income Stmt, Cash Flow
How To Quickly Read & Understand The Big 3 Financial Statements: Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement...
11. Microsoft Excel for Finance, Accounting & Financial Analysis
Excel tips & tricks for Accounting, Finance and Financial Analysis. Learn from the Bestselling Accounting Instructor...
12. Payroll Accounting: Laws, Calculations, and Journal Entries
Master the complex world of payroll with practical examples, legislation insights, and comprehensive problems...
13. Financial Statement Auditing Cycles
In this course, we learn how public accountants plan and execute an audit...
14. Financial Accounting - Subsidiary Ledgers & Special Journals
Mastering Special Journals and Subsidiary Ledgers: A Comprehensive Guide to Streamlined Accounting Practices...
15. Accounting & Financial Statement Analysis: Complete Training
Accounting & Financial Ratio Analysis made easy. Learn important accounting skills that will get your foot in the door!...
16. Audit - Financial Statement
Master the Art of Auditing Financial Statements: In-Depth Analysis, Techniques, and Real-World Case Studies...
17. Become an External Auditor - External Audit Process Level 1
External Audit Process : Financial Statement Accounting : Business Valuation Methods : Certified Public Accountant (CPA)...
18. Financial Accounting-Depreciation Calculation & Fixed Assets
Optimizing Asset Management: Comprehensive Guide to Property, Plant, and Equipment Accounting...
19. Cost Accounting: Introduction to Management Accounting
Learn Cost Accounting for Management. Includes Process Costing, ABC Systems, Variance Analysis, Cash Budgets and more...
20. Financial Statement Analysis
Learn how to make understanding financial statements your superpower!...