Before liberalisation of Indian Economy, career in finance was perceived as a back office record keeping job; but after the liberalisation it has become much more challenging and interesting. Today, it is seen as a career that provides greater roles in decision making, planning and controlling operations in any organisation. Acquiring an appropriate professional qualification is the first positive step towards a successful career in Finance. In India the three professional bodies offering finance-related professional course are- Institute Course Institute of Chartered Accountants of India Chartered Accountant CA Institute of Cost Accountants of India Cost Management Accountant CMA Institute of Company Secretaries of India Company Secretary CS No doubt, Chartered Accountancy course has enjoyed wide popularity but CMA and CS courses too have been gaining popularity over the last few years. Particularly, growth in numbers of students enrolled for CMA is far more than any other course in India. This is because of cost awareness amongst the business entrepreneurs due to growing competition in the market, and this has resulted in increased demand for CMA. Although all three course are good and guarantees a secure future but I would limit my article to Career as a CMA as a lot have already been written about the other two courses. Cost Management Accountant (CMA) A CMA is a person who performs services involving costing, pricing of goods and services, verification or certification of Cost Records and Taxation, especially in Indirect Taxation. Unlike pure accounting professionals, the demand for CMA cuts across functions in all organizations. In marketing department, he is required to prepare the quotation, in production department he is required to advice on the profitable product mix, in purchase department for taking make or buy decisions and in top management for identifying business risks and their mitigation. Not only are these, CMAs also working in the fields of Taxation, Valuation, Risk Management, etc. We may, therefore, say, CMAs are ALLROUNDERS rather than mere batsmen or bowlers. Role of CMA in brief Improving Cost Competitiveness Resource Performance Management Financial Reporting and Strategy Cost Audit and Assurance Direct and Indirect Taxation Internal Audit Management Audit - See more at: http://www.kcctutorials.com/cost-management-accountant-cma/#sthash.hfBf2o7C.dpuf