Are you also thinking of doing both CMA & CA together?

I would suggest you to read this post first before making any decision. And if you are thinking why then as you proceed further, you will get to know the answer.

Let's, check in detail about the route which are available.

But even before it, answer this first 

Are you a Graduate who is looking for a Direct entry route?

Or

Someone who is thinking of pursuing it from the Foundation level?

If you are thinking of taking a Direct entry route, completing your Graduation is very important. After that, you prepare and appear for CMA Inter. For CA Inter you have to do 9 months of CA Articleship, only then you will be eligible to give your exam.

After the completion of both groups of CA Inter exams, you have to undergo your remaining 27 months to Articleship. Then you will be able to sit for CA Final. For CMA Final, 15 months of practical training is required, which can be exempted if you have joined a job after CA Final. Once, you have done it you are then eligible for CMA Final exams. This is the road map of Direct Entry.

 Otherwise, if you are thinking of starting from Foundation level, CA Foundation along with your graduation. Then plan for CMA Inter first. And later after clearing CMA Inter, you prepare 6 months for CA Inter and then you appear for your CA Inter exams.

Once you complete both CA Inter and CMA inter, you should undergo 3 years of Articleship for CA Final. As it is already mentioned in the above para, you can appear for your CA Final examination and then after clearing it you can sit for your CMA Final exams. 

So, now that our basic query of the Entry route is clear, let's see how doing both these courses will benefit you. Normally, the subjects in both the courses are the same but you will get something more on your CV in comparison to others.

Imagine, when you go for an Interview, and the interviewer give more weightage to YOU in comparison to other. Now, you will be thinking why, the answer is  You have something more than all the other candidate. It's your extra qualification.

Extra knowledge is not bad, but you also need to understand whether you are ready to take that much pressure or not. If you are good in your academics and have the desire to learn more, then go for it.

But if you are not sure and have any doubt about the extra pressure which will come along with it. It's always good to go for one thing at a time. Why to stress yourself? Your health matters the most too.

You should also remember some key points like:

For Intermediate

(i) If a student is appearing for the CMA Inter exam at first, then after 2 years, one can appear for the CMA Final exam (including Internship).

(ii) And after 6 months of giving the CMA Inter exam, one can appear for the CA Inter exam, and for that, the student need to do a little more preparation.

Till now, we have talked about the Intermediate level, now let's see how much time you need for your final. There are the two options for you:

For Final

• 3 years of articleship is required in CA Final. If between this, a student can manage it’s practical training on papers then, can also appear for CMA Final Exam (at least preparing for 2 years) after giving CA Inter.
  
  
• Or after the CA Final, one can give the CMA Final exam.

Generally, we recommend the student to go for 2nd Option. Because during CA Articleship, appearing for examinations is tough.

So, as a consequence after giving CA Inter your study time will be approx. - 3 years for CA Final and after 6 months of CA Final, go for CMA Finals (i.e. CA + CMA = 3.5 years). 

As regards, subjects comparison almost,  all the subjects are same. Only the level of understanding and the focus of coverage is different. In CA syllabus, the study is more of the Statutory Compliance part.

In CMA syllabus it is more of the decision-making part. The syllabus is designed according to it’s usefulness in the profession. The pattern of exam question is also a bit different in both the exams. However, CMA is considered more scoring as compared to CA exams.

However, if you ask our opinion then we will suggest you to focus only on one degree at a time. As it becomes easy to pass and sometimes sailing in two boats at a time may not yield good results.

At last, it's your opinion which matters the most. We hope you make the right decision.

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