The CMA Strategic Leadership Program is a part-time study program that you complete over a two-year period while at the same time you are gaining on-the-job practical experience in a management accounting position. The program focuses on developing the following competencies:

Functional Competencies

• strategic management
• risk management and governance
• performance management
• performance measurement
• financial resource management
• financial reporting

Enabling Competencies

• problem-solving and decision-making
• leadership and group dynamics
• professionalism and ethical behaviour
• communication

The Strategic Leadership Program consists of two phases: the development phase (first year) and the application phase (second year). Over the two-year period, you attend six weekend sessions with other CMA candidates. Before and after each session, you read assigned articles and complete reports. These interactive sessions combine individual and group work and require you to prepare written assignments and make oral presentations. They are designed to allow you to learn new concepts, explore them with your peers, and apply them within your own business environment.

At the end of the development phase, you are required to write the CMA Case Examination. This four-hour exam tests your understanding of the competencies and your skills in strategic thinking, analysis, integration, judgment, and written communication. The exam is offered in May and August. You must achieve a minimum grade of 60% on the exam to be eligible to progress to the application phase of the Strategic Leadership Program.

At the end of the application phase, you are required to complete the CMA Board Report. During a four-month period, you work with a team of fellow students on a complex business case. You develop a comprehensive written report and present your findings to a panel of CMAs. You must achieve a minimum grade of 60% on the Board Report to complete the Strategic Leadership Program.

Learning materials for the Strategic Leadership Program are provided on the Internet. The interactive weekend sessions, CMA Case Examination, and CMA Board Report must be completed in Ontario.

Mutual Recognition Agreements

CMA Ontario has mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) with the following international accounting bodies:

• the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
• the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)
• CPA Australia (CPAA)

If you are eligible for advanced standing under a mutual recognition agreement, you are exempted from the Strategic Leadership Program requirement. See Your Path to Becoming a CMA for eligibility requirements.

Combined CMA/Masters Programs

Many Ontario universities offer programs in which you can earn your CMA designation and a Masters degree at the same time. In each of these programs, you take the professional studies component of the CMA Strategic Leadership Program. However, you must still complete the CMA Case Examination and CMA Board Report components of the Strategic Leadership Program through CMA Ontario.

Review a list of the Ontario universities that offer Combined CMA/Masters Programs.

If you are not eligible for advanced standing under an MRA or a Combined CMA/Masters Program, or eligible for exemption under the CMA Executive Program, you must complete the CMA Strategic Leadership Program.