Practical Training (15 Months)

CMA students must complete 15 months of practical training under an approved employer before applying for ICMAI membership. Training can be done concurrently with CMA Final studies. Approved employers include companies with a Cost Accounting department, CA/CMA firms, and government departments.

Under CMA Syllabus 2022, students enrolled in Final Course must complete the following compulsory training:

1. Tutorial Workshops: 44 hours total (covering 8 workshops on topics like Data Analytics, Financial Modelling, Forensic Audit, Cost Audit Reports, etc.)

2. Industry Oriented Training Programme (IOTP): 10 days

3. Practical Training: 15 months

4. Technical Skills Training:
- 120 hours of technical skills
- 20 hours of soft skills

The Institute has also introduced tutorial workshops on contemporary topics including Data Analytics, Financial Modelling, Forensic Audit, and more.

CMA students must complete Skills Training at two levels:

1. At Intermediate Level: 120 hours of Skills Training
2. At Final Level: 80 hours of Skills Training

Additionally, Final level students must complete Industry Oriented Training Programme (IOTP) of 10 days duration.

Details of skills training are given in Annexure V of ICMAI Prospectus.

You can start CMA practical training after passing at least Group I of CMA Intermediate. Training must be registered with ICMAI through your employer's MOU/registration. Contact your regional ICMAI office or check icmai.in for the current approved employer list.

Both you and your employer must register the training on the ICMAI portal (icmai.in → Student Zone → Practical Training). Submit the Form of Practical Training within 30 days of starting. Training must be under a designated Cost Accountant or appropriate official.

CMA Final students must complete 44 hours of Tutorial Workshops covering 8 workshop topics:

1. Tools and Techniques of Data Analytics (Paper 11-FMDA) — 6 hours
2. Financial Modelling, Forecasting, Valuation and Derivatives, Financial Consultancy (Papers 14-SFM and 20A-SPMBV) — 8 hours
3. Consultancy Services for Strategic Cost Management (Paper 16-SCM) — 6 hours
4. Forensic Audit (Paper 17-CMAD) — 6 hours
5. Information System and Security Audit (Paper 17-CMAD) — 4 hours
6. Preparation of Cost Audit Reports (Paper 17-CMAD) — 4 hours
7. Sessions with Founders of Unicorn (Paper 20C-ENTS) — 6 hours
8. Research Methodology (Final Course) — 4 hours

IOTP (Industry Oriented Training Programme) is a compulsory 10-day training programme for CMA Final students enrolled under Syllabus 2022.

Key points:
- Completion is mandatory before filling examination application form
- For Oral students: IOTP conducted by respective Regional Councils/Chapters/CMASCs
- For Postal students: Students may contact their nearest Regional Council/Chapter

Around 15,000 companies are associated with ICMAI for providing practical training.

Approved employers include: (1) Companies with a Cost/Management Accounting department, (2) CA/CMA/CS firms in practice, (3) Central and State government departments, (4) Public sector undertakings (PSUs), (5) Banks, financial institutions. The employer must be registered with ICMAI.

The practical training for CMA students under Syllabus 2022 is 15 months. This is in addition to the Industry Oriented Training Programme (IOTP) of 10 days and Tutorial Workshops of 44 hours. All three components are compulsory for Final Course students.

Practical Training (15 months) can be started from the Intermediate level itself. A student needs to complete 15 months Practical Training before appearing in both or remaining group(s) of Final Examination.

Training Scheme summary:
- Intermediate Level: 120 hours Skills Training + Start of Practical Training
- Final Level: 80 hours Skills Training + IOTP (10 days)
- Total Practical Training: 15 months (can overlap with studies)

Around 15,000 companies are associated with ICMAI for providing practical training.