The following is a summary of the Education and Experience requirements for the five designations of ICMA(NZ):

  • Applicants for the Certified Management Accountant of New Zealand membership designation must complete Stages 1-5 of the CMA Professional Education Program, PLUS have five years approved experience in a senior and responsible business position.
  • Applicants for the Graduate Management Accountant of New Zealand membership designation must complete Stages 1-4 of the CMA Professional Education Program; OR must have a minimum education standard of a degree from a university or equivalent educational institution in accountancy or a related discipline. There are no experience requirements.
  • Applicants for the Registered Business Accountant of New Zealand membership designation must complete Stages 1-3 of the CMA Professional Education Program; OR must have a minimum education standard of a Advanced Diploma in Accounting from a recognised Polytechnic or Technical College; OR have the equivalent of 3 Stages of a Professional Qualification in Accounting. There are no experience requirements.
  • Applicants for the Registered Cost Accountant of New Zealand membership designation must complete Stages 1-2 of the CMA Professional Education Program; OR must have a minimum education standard of Diploma in Accounting from a recognised Polytechnic or Technical College OR have the equivalent of 2 Stages of a Professional Qualification in Accounting. There are no experience requirements.
  • Applicants for the Certified Accounting Technician of New Zealand membership designation must complete Stages 1-2 of the CMA Professional Education Program; OR must have a minimum education standard of a Certificate in Accounting from a recognised Polytechnic or Technical College OR have the equivalent of 1 Stage of a Professional Qualification in Accounting. There are no experience requirements.

Demonstration of Experience

Work experience refers to any senior level business-related experience in managerial accounting and business analysis*. This also includes academics in a business-related field and those in governments and NGOs.

* Relevant experience in management accounting and business analysis is broadly defined to include the gaining of experience in the provision of information in a wide range of managerial functions including costing, pricing, marketing, strategy, governance, financial analysis, financial planning, logistics, information systems, human resource management, academia, etc.