Management Accounting - CMAexcel Online

Duke University’s Online CMA exam preparation program offers both Part I and II and mirrors the two part national exam format. Each section is estimated to take between 90 and 100 hours to complete inclusive of all reading, online videos, testing, studying, etc. The two parts of the CMAexcel online program are divided as follows:

Wiley CMAexcel is IMA’s official CMA test prep suite. No other provider of CMA prep material can say the same. The course is fully updated to cover 100% of the most current Learning Outcome Statements (LOS) published by ICMA. The program includes the following:

• Online course study materials with 800+ pages of online study text, 50+ hours of video instruction, 1,100+ multiple-choice exam questions (including retired questions from past exams), 850+ digital flash cards, and 10 essays
• Efficient learning platform with 140+ Bite-Sized Lessons structured for mastery of lessons in approximately 30 minutes, CMA Exam Planner, lesson assessments, diagnostic exams, performance metrics, student discussions, and unlimited practice exams with MCQs and essays
• Mentoring with online support from subject matter experts
• Official IMA Learning System textbook(s), featuring 100% of the ICMA Learning Outcome Statements (print)
• Online Test Bank with an additional 3,800 multiple-choice questions and 10 exclusive essays
• The powerful companion mobile app that allows you to study on the go, online or offline

Program Testing

Each part of the CMA online program is divided into sections, and each section has one required quiz; there is also a cumulative exam at the end of each part.  These exams are multiple choice and an 80% is required on all tests and quizzes for successful completion of the Duke Certificate program. Exams are timed, can be taken more than once and there is no waiting period between re-takes. Furthermore, students can also elect to take as many CMA Exam Simulations as they like; these simulations have the same number of questions that are on the national CMA exam and are timed appropriately for additional practice.

National Exam Information

For more information about the CMA exams visit IMA online.

Please note that the cost of applying for the national examination is not affiliated with the Duke CMAexcel exam review courses. Students must register and pay for the exam(s) directly from the IMA. Successful completion of the Duke Continuing Studies courses does not guarantee a student will qualify for the CMA examination.

Exam Eligibility

• Active Member of IMA
• Payment of CMA program entrance fee to IMA -this is not the same as the tuition charged for Duke’s exam review courses
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in any major
• Two years of continuous relevant work experience (can also be completed within 7 years after passing exams)
• Foundational knowledge of economics, basic statistics, and financial accounting
• Comply with the IMA Statement of Ethical Professional Practice

Testing Schedule

The exam is given three times a year for a two-month duration:

• January/February
• May/June
• September/October

Students must register for the exam parts directly through the IMA. For complete exam information regarding the exam transition and registration eligibility visit http://www.imanet.org/.

All CMA candidates have three years to complete the CMA program, including Parts 1 and 2 of the exam. The time period will begin with the date of a student’s entry into the CMA program. If students don't pass the two-part exam within three years, credit for the part passed will expire, and they will have to retake the exams.*

_{*Please contact the Institute of Management Accountants with any specific exam questions or concerns. Requirements for admission to the Duke CMA exam review program may differ from those required for exam eligibility. Always verify exam requirements with the IMA at www.imanet.org}

Eligibility

• Strongly recommend a minimum of two years relevant work experience
• Strongly recommend a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (any major)
• Foundational knowledge of economics, basic statistics, and financial accounting
• Possess word processing and internet skills
• Computer literacy, reliable internet access and a valid email account.  (Please note personal email accounts are preferred as they are less likely to trigger fire walls and spam filters.)
• Fluency in English (including reading and writing)
• Tuition paid in full prior to start of program or loan financing approved and our office notified of such prior to being granted access to the program.
• Meet the computer technical requirements specifications listed below
• Sign and return program Terms of Use form.  Program access will not be granted until form has been returned via email to pcponline@duke.edu or fax to (919) 668-6747.

Requirements for admission to the Duke CMA exam review program may differ from those required for exam eligibility. Always verify exam requirements with the IMA at www.imanet.org

Admission is discretionary. The office of Duke Continuing Studies, Professional Certificate Programs, requires students be a least 18 years of age and meet minimum suitability standards. Students are not matriculated Duke University students and university student privileges do not apply to Continuing Studies students.

Duke Continuing Studies reserves the exclusive right, at its sole and absolute discretion, to withhold registration or require withdrawal from the program of any student or applicant.  

The materials used in this course, including video lessons, workbooks, quizzes and tests, are copyrighted. They are intended for individual use by registered students.  Unauthorized or illegal use, or attempted unauthorized or illegal use, of these materials may result in a suspension and/or cancellation of the user’s account.

Certificate requirements

In order to receive a certificate from Duke University students must:

• Obtain a score of 80% or higher on all exams and quizzes (each part of the CMA online program is divided into sections, and each section has one required quiz; there is also a cumulative exam at the end of each part).
• Complete this program in its entirety within the 6 month (12 months for the package) timeframe 

Duke Certificate of completion is not required for CMA exam eligibility.

Technical requirements

Wiley CMAexcel is a browser-based, online course optimized for desktop and tablet use. Although the program can be used offline, an Internet connection is required to activate and update the software.

CMAexcel Online

Minimum system requirements:

• Supported Operating Systems: 
  • Windows 10, 8, 7
  • Mac OS X 10.1 or newer
• Supported Browsers: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, IE 11 (Latest versions of Chrome or Firefox are recommended.)
• Minimum Hardware Requirements: Intel Pentium 4 2.33GHz, AMD Athlon 64 2800+ processor (or faster), 256MB RAM
• Internet connection: High speed Internet access is recommended. To view video lecture courses online, a minimum of a 475Kbps Internet connection – a 825Kbps or faster Internet connection is recommended.

 CMAexcel Offline

• Supported Operating Systems:
  • Windows: 10, 8, 7, Vista, or XP SP3
  • Mac: OS X 10.6+ 10.1 or newer (Snow Leopard and Lion)
• Minimum Hardware Requirements: 
  • Windows: Intel Pentium 4 2.33GHz, AMD Athlon 64 2800+ processor (or faster), 256MB RAM, 775MB free hard disk space, DVD drive 
  • Mac: Intel Core Duo, 1GB RAM, 775MB free hard disk space, DVD drive

Registration

Registration is ongoing; students can begin the program when it is convenient for them. Registration is not available from June 24 - June 30 annually due to the close of the fiscal year for the University.

Note: our enrollment/registration system is a separate external system from that used for your online training and therefore access to online materials is not an automated process upon your registration and subsequent payment. Please allow a time delay of up to 5 business days to receive details via email regarding online access. This delay will not impact your “allotted” completion time for the program.

To enroll please do the following:

• Test drive the program! 
  • For exclusive access to a product demo send an email to pcponline@duke.edu with your name and email address in the body of the email.  A password which will allow students to access the product demo will be sent via email within 5 business days and will give 5 days of access to the demo.
• Register for this program and pay in full or have a loan certified and approved by DCS office.
• Return the signed program policy.  You will receive an email from the Duke program manager within five business days (excluding Duke holidays) containing information log-in instructions.
  • Please note personal email accounts are preferred as they are less likely to trigger fire walls and spam filters.
• Log-in and begin coursework.
  • Please note the 6 months of access (12 months for the package) begins on the date the access email is sent from Duke Continuing Studies.  There is a calendar within the learning system to assist you with keeping track of time remaining in your window to complete the program.

Registration Methods

1. Register Online using a credit card with our secure, real-time registration system, add the course to your shopping cart and follow the instructions for checking out.
2. Register by Phone at 919-684-6259, 8:00am to 5:00pm Eastern time (excluding holidays).

Who should enroll in the Duke review course(s) for the IMA exam?

Professionals planning to pursue CMA certification; Management finance and accounting professionals involved in strategic, tactical, and operating decisions within their organization's financial management process; Accounting staff members preparing financial reports for non-management groups such as shareholders, creditors, regulatory agencies, and tax authorities; CPAs interested in moving into an internal corporate accounting role; Students with an interest in business analysis, management accounting and reporting, strategic management, and business applications.

Are these courses offered online only?

Yes, these self-paced courses are exclusively offered online.

Do I have to log on at certain times on certain days?

No, these courses are completely self-paced so students may schedule their coursework as they so desire within the allotted access time.

Will the Duke Continuing Studies staff assist me in finding a position?

It is incumbent upon the student to seek his/her own employment through their own endeavors. Duke Office of Continuing Studies provides no assistance with job search, career placement and/or internships nor make any claim or warrant this program will result in obtaining a position of a result of completion.

While we can’t guarantee a position will be obtained, students will enhance their management accounting skill set as a result of learning concepts the IMA considers of value to the accounting professional.

Are books included in the cost of tuition?

Yes, books are included in the cost of tuition. Course materials will come directly from Wiley CMAexcel and students usually receive them within 3-5 business days from the date their activation email is received. Online access will be granted within four business days of registration.

What is the refund policy for these courses?

There are no refunds given for online courses and tuition cannot be applied to other course/programs offered by Duke Continuing Studies.

What are the education and experience requirements to participate in these courses?

A Bachelor’s degree and two years of relevant work experience are strongly recommended. Foundational knowledge of economics, basic statistics and financial accounting is required.

Please note that requirements for admission to the Duke courses may differ from those required to apply for the CMA exam(s). Visit the Institute of Management Accountants for more information.

After registering, when will students receive additional course details?

Upon returning the signed course policy (Terms of Use), registered students will receive web access information via email from Duke Continuing Studies within four business days from the date of their registration (excluding Duke holidays).

Is access to a computer required to participate in these courses?

These courses are exclusively offered online and access to a reliable computer is required to participate. Please refer to the Technical Requirements in the Requirements section.

How long do students have access to these online courses?

Students will have access for 6 months per course purchased (12 months if two-course package is purchased) from the date the access email is sent from Duke Continuing Studies.

How long does each course take to complete?

Each course (CMA 1 and CMA 2) requires about 90 to 100 hours of studying. Exact completion time per course will vary by student.

Are extensions granted to students who request them?

A one-time 60 day extension may be granted to students who demonstrate in writing (via email to pcponline@duke.edu) the reason they require an extension. Requests will be considered by the Program Manager and a response will be delivered via email within 7 business days (excluding Duke holidays). It is at the discretion of the Duke Program Manager to determine if the situation warrants an extension.

If an extension is granted the student must complete their studies within 60 days. No further extensions will be granted. If a student cannot finish within the extension window given, and desires to complete their studies, they will be responsible for purchasing the course(s) again at full tuition.

Please note that if both CMA courses were purchased as a package, only one 60 day extension will be available.

After registering, when should students expect to receive their books and online access?

Online access will be granted within four business days of registration. Course materials will come directly from Wiley CMAexcel and students will usually receive them within 3-5 business days from the date their activation email is received.

How often are the courses offered?

These courses are self-paced and enrollment is open anytime except during the week of June 23-30 annually. Students may register and begin the courses at any time.

How does a student earn the certificate of completion from Duke Continuing Studies?

Students who achieve a minimum score of 80% on all required online quizzes and exams within their allotted timeframe and pay tuition upon registration will receive a certificate of completion from Duke Continuing Studies.

Will students be certified as a CMA (Certified Management Accountant) when they complete these courses?

No. Students will not be “certified” as a CMA upon completion of the Duke courses. They will receive a “certificate” acknowledging that they have met course requirements.

Certification as a CMA requires passing a national examination and meeting other criteria. For more information on this designation, please visit the Institute of Management Accountants.

Will students pass the CMA exam after taking these courses?

Completion of these courses, while excellent preparation for the exam, does not guarantee success on the certification exam itself. It is incumbent upon the student to dedicate additional study time outside of the classroom to prepare for the national exam. Furthermore, students must use the most recent edition of the CMAexcel program for this course, and may not use outdated materials.

After completing these courses are students eligible to apply for the CMA exam?

Not necessarily. It is not mandatory for students to complete the Duke exam review course or any other education program in order to qualify for the CMA exam. However, the material covered in the Duke courses will help to prepare individuals who seek to apply for the exam. Visit the Institute of Management Accountants for further details on their exam eligibility requirements.

Are the certification exams (CMA 1 and 2) offered through Duke Continuing Studies?

No. Students who plan to sit for either the CMA 1 or CMA 2 exam should apply for the exam via the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) as they administer the exam. (See http://www.imanet.org/.) Duke University Continuing Studies has no affiliation with exam registration. It is the responsibility of the student to contact IMA and adhere to exam registration deadlines, processes and related fees.

Does completion of these courses enable students to earn continuing education credits needed for recertification toward their CMA designation?

Please visit the Institute of Management Accountants for details about recertification credits.

Can students download course files to save for later use?

The materials used in this course, including video lessons, workbooks, quizzes and tests, are copyrighted. They are intended for individual use by registered students. Unauthorized or illegal use, or attempted unauthorized or illegal use, of these materials may result in a suspension and/or cancellation of the user’s account.

How can students contact the course mentors?

Technical questions should be directed to Wiley Customer Support via phone or live chat. Hours of support are from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Friday and 9:00 am to 7:00 pm on Saturday, Eastern time.

See the Requirements section for supported platforms.

How can students contact the program mentors?

Students can post a question in the online Mentoring forum. Mentors receive immediate notifications of new posts and will respond within 3 business days.

Tuition: Part 1: $1275*, Part 2: $1275*, Parts 1 & 2: $1995*

Payment is due in full upon registration. Loans must be certified and approved by Duke Continuing Studies prior to starting program. 

*Books are included in the cost of tuition. Course materials will be mailed directly from Wiley CMAexcel and students will usually receive them within 3-5 business days from the date their activation email is received. Online access will be granted within four business days of registration.

Course Fees are not applicable to exam fees; national exam fees are paid directly to IMA.

Members of the Institute of Management Accountants receive a $100 discount when they register for one course. Please register by phone at (919) 684-6259 if you qualify for this discount and be sure to mention it at the time of registration.

​Duke Employee Discount

• $100 off the fee of $1275; Duke employee pays fee of $1175 
• Student must register and pay tuition in full prior to receiving program access

Discount must be requested and applied during the registration process and cannot be applied in addition to any other discount that may be offered.

To enroll as a Duke employee, contact the registration office during business hours, Monday through Friday at 919-684-6259

* You may be asked to verify your status as a Duke employee.

Group Discount

Do you have a group (Duke or non-Duke entity) interested in training? Contact the Program Manager.

Course Extension Policy

A one-time 60 day extension may be granted to students who demonstrate in writing (via email to pcponline@duke.edu) the reason they require an extension. Requests will be considered by the Program Manager and a response will be delivered via email within 7 business days (excluding Duke holidays). It is at the discretion of the Program Manager to determine if the situation warrants an extension.

If an extension is granted, the student must complete the program within 60 days. No further extensions will be granted.  If a student cannot finish the program within that extension window, and desires to finish the program, they will be responsible for purchasing the program again in its entirety at full tuition.