Certified management accountants – or CMAs – are financial professionals who hold a certification in a rapidly expanding career sector. These accounting professionals balance tasks including financial reporting, financial management, investment decisions, corporate finance, cost management, risk management, financial decision making, and strategic management with their knowledge of professional ethics. Once obtaining your CMA certification and become a member of the Institute of Management Accountants, established and fledgling CMAs can build their network through their connections within the IMA. Building your professional network is key to establishing your reputation within an industry. These connections can be the difference between getting client referrals and landing that position you’ve always wanted.

When a person outside of the financial accounting sphere thinks of this professional certification, they might equate the responsibilities of decision analysis, external financial reporting decisions, financial statement analysis, internal controls, with a “boring desk job”. However, the CMA work experience doesn’t have to live within the confines of a desk space.

There are many industries that demand a financial analyst, financial planning, management accounting, and the other duties being a Certified Management Accountant demands. With a little bit of research, you’ll find there are plenty of interesting industries that have a need for a professional with a CMA designation.

Read below, or watch the video at the bottom of this page to find out about some of them.

1. Entertainment

These CMAs have the opportunity to work for news organizations, just inches away from breaking news. Not only that but this industry promises a fast paced lifestyle, and maybe even access to new media before the public gets their hands on it.

2. Professional Sports

Whether it’s basketball, or football, or any other sport – you could be a CMA for one of the many sports teams nationwide. Plus, most of these organizations offer perks to their employees like free or discounted tickets, access to special events and more!

3. Space Companies

NASA and most other space companies have a need for a qualified CMA. Your expertise could help the future of space!

4. National Parks

Some national parks generate more revenue than others, you can be the CMA that helps keep one of these high-revenue parks in check.

You don’t have to sit in a cubicle to utilize your CMA, if you don’t want to. There are so many career paths that start with the CMA Exam, and so many different industries that need you and your skills. Do your research and see the endless job opportunities that your CMA could give you