The CMA Show

Nathan Liao, CMA / Anchor
  • 4.7 (20)
  • Education
  • Weekly

Welcome to The CMA Show! In every episode we go inside the minds of the most successful Management Accountants i.e. CFOs, Corporate Controllers, VPs of Finance so you can learn how to move up the ranks just like they did. You'll learn the aha moments that led them to where they are today, lessons learned along their career trajectory, and how you can replicate their success. The show is sponsored by CMA Exam Academy, the instructor-led prep course helping professionals around the world pass the exam and earn their Certified Management Accountant designation.

  1. 7h ago

    EP 189: Accounting Certifications 2027: CPA, CMA, CIA, CFA

    Accounting certifications can be hard to choose between when you're planning your next career move. It sure was for me when I had to pick one. In this episode I compare the CPA, the CMA, the CIA and the CFA side by side. What each one is built for, the exam, the requirements, the fees and the pay. And how to pick the one that fits the work you want. Free live CMA Masterclass- Discover how to pass the CMA exam the first time 👉https://cma-exam-academy.webinargeek.com/how-to-pass-the-cma-exam-on-the-first-try?cst=podcast Free CMA Exam Cheat Sheet: 👉https://cmaexamacademy.com/secret/?source=podcast&referred_by=accounting_certifications_cpa_cma_cia_cfa 16-WEEK ACCELERATOR CMA Exam Academy is a structured coaching program — not a self-paced course — that prepares accounting and finance professionals to pass the Certified Management Accountant exam in 16 weeks per part. Students get weekly coaching calls, a week-by-week study plan, unlimited coaching support, and a pass-or-100%-refund guarantee. Academy students have an average exam pass rate of 92% compared to the global CMA pass rate of approximately 50%. 👉https://cmaexamacademy.com/16-week-accelerator/ref/nathan/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=accounting_certifications_cpa_cma_cia_cfa SOURCES • CPA exam scoring and pass rates, AICPA: https://www.aicpa-cima.com/resources/article/learn-more-about-cpa-exam-scoring-and-pass-rates • CPA licensure pathways by state, NASBA: https://nasba.org/blog/2025/07/01/new-licensure-pathways/ • CIA exam, requirements and fees, The IIA: https://www.theiia.org/en/certifications/cia/ • CFA exam, fees and pass rates, CFA Institute: https://www.cfainstitute.org/programs/cfa-program • CMA requirements and fees, IMA: https://www.imaglobal.org/certifications/cma/how-to • CPA and CMA salary estimates, IMA 2023 U.S. Salary Survey: https://mc-69e30ef4-758e-4371-ac6f-2657-cdn-endpoint.azureedge.net/-/media/IMA/Files/Home/Career-Resources/IMA_SS_USA_2023_Report.ashx?rev=bbeddac2fb9644f6b8555e1e8e6c1544 • CMA pay premium, IMA 2023 Global Salary Survey: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ima-2023-global-salary-survey-190000946.html • Salaries reported by certification holders, Payscale: https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=Certified_Public_Accountant_(CPA)/Salary • CPA requirement for SEC filings, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/accountants-and-auditors.htm -------------------- SAY HI ON SOCIAL LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanliao/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cma_coach/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cmacoach

  2. Nov 5

    EP 188: Accountant Salary 2027: Clerk to CFO

    Accountant salary depends on which level you're at. In this episode I walk through all six accounting job levels, from accounting clerk to CFO. What each one pays, what the CMA adds at each level, and how I moved up the ranks quicker. Free live CMA Masterclass- Discover how to pass the CMA exam the first time 👉https://cma-exam-academy.webinargeek.com/how-to-pass-the-cma-exam-on-the-first-try?cst=podcast Free CMA Exam Cheat Sheet: 👉https://cmaexamacademy.com/secret/?source=podcast&referred_by=accountant_salary_clerk_to_cfo Free CMA Salary Calculator: 👉https://cmaexamacademy.com/cma-salary-calculator/?source=podcast&referred_by=accountant_salary_clerk_to_cfo 16-WEEK ACCELERATOR CMA Exam Academy is a structured coaching program — not a self-paced course — that prepares accounting and finance professionals to pass the Certified Management Accountant exam in 16 weeks per part. Students get weekly coaching calls, a week-by-week study plan, unlimited coaching support, and a pass-or-100%-refund guarantee. Academy students have an average exam pass rate of 92% compared to the global CMA pass rate of approximately 50%. 👉https://cmaexamacademy.com/16-week-accelerator/ref/nathan/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=accountant_salary_clerk_to_cfo SOURCES • Accounting clerk pay and job outlook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/bookkeeping-accounting-and-auditing-clerks.htm • Accountant salaries by role, Robert Half 2026 Salary Guide (use the national figure): https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/salary-guide/calculator • 2027 finance and accounting salary trends, Robert Half: https://www.roberthalf.com/us/en/insights/research/finance-and-accounting-salary-trends • CMA pay premium, IMA 2023 Global Salary Survey: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ima-2023-global-salary-survey-190000946.html • CMA requirements, IMA: https://www.imaglobal.org/certifications/cma/how-to -------------------- SAY HI ON SOCIAL LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanliao/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cma_coach/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cmacoach

  3. Oct 29

    EP 187: How to ACTUALLY Study for the CMA Exam w/ a 9-5

    How to study for the CMA exam while working full time is a real challenge for most people. It sure was for me back in 2012 when I was studying for the exams. In this episode I walk through the whole week. What to read in the morning, what to watch at night, what to do on Saturday, and which day to take off completely. Free live CMA Masterclass- Discover how to pass the CMA exam the first time 👉https://cma-exam-academy.webinargeek.com/how-to-pass-the-cma-exam-on-the-first-try?cst=podcast Free CMA Exam Cheat Sheet: 👉https://cmaexamacademy.com/secret/?source=podcast&referred_by=how_actually_study_cma_exam_one_hour_day 16-WEEK ACCELERATOR CMA Exam Academy is a structured coaching program — not a self-paced course — that prepares accounting and finance professionals to pass the Certified Management Accountant exam in 16 weeks per part. Students get weekly coaching calls, a week-by-week study plan, unlimited coaching support, and a pass-or-100%-refund guarantee. Academy students have an average exam pass rate of 92% compared to the global CMA pass rate of approximately 50%. 👉https://cmaexamacademy.com/16-week-accelerator/ref/nathan/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=how_actually_study_cma_one_hour_day -------------------- SAY HI ON SOCIAL LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanliao/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cma_coach/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cmacoach

  4. Oct 22

    EP 186: 12 Years of CMA Exam Advice in 12 Minutes

    I've coached thousands of CMA candidates across more than 120 countries since 2014. I went back through all of it and pulled the 10 mistakes that come up the most while studying for the CMA exam. Most of them have nothing to do with intelligence or effort. They're about how you study, and every single CMA exam study mistake is fixable. If you're studying for the exam right now, or you're about to start, these are the ten to avoid. Free live CMA Masterclass- Discover how to pass the CMA exam the first time 👉https://cma-exam-academy.webinargeek.com/how-to-pass-the-cma-exam-on-the-first-try?cst=podcast Free CMA Exam Cheat Sheet: 👉https://cmaexamacademy.com/secret/?source=podcast&referred_by=12-years-cma-exam-advice 16-WEEK ACCELERATOR CMA Exam Academy is a structured coaching program — not a self-paced course — that prepares accounting and finance professionals to pass the Certified Management Accountant exam in 16 weeks per part. Students get weekly coaching calls, a week-by-week study plan, unlimited coaching support, and a pass-or-100%-refund guarantee. Academy students have an average exam pass rate of 92% compared to the global CMA pass rate of approximately 50%. 👉https://cmaexamacademy.com/16-week-accelerator/ref/nathan/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=12-years-cma-exam-advice -------------------- SAY HI ON SOCIAL LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanliao/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cma_coach/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cmacoach

  5. Oct 15

    EP 185: U.S. CMA Salary Breakdown by Region

    CMA salary by U.S. region: how much do Certified Management Accountants actually earn in the United States? In this episode I break down the average CMA salary across every major U.S. region, plus a free CMA salary calculator so you can estimate your own earning potential based on where you live. Free live CMA Masterclass- Discover how to pass the CMA exam the first time 👉https://cma-exam-academy.webinargeek.com/how-to-pass-the-cma-exam-on-the-first-try?cst=podcast Free CMA Salary Calculator: 👉https://cmaexamacademy.com/cma-salary-calculator/ref/nathan/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=cma-salary-by-us-region 16-WEEK ACCELERATOR CMA Exam Academy is a structured coaching program — not a self-paced course — that prepares accounting and finance professionals to pass the Certified Management Accountant exam in 16 weeks per part. Students get weekly coaching calls, a week-by-week study plan, unlimited coaching support, and a pass-or-100%-refund guarantee. Academy students have an average exam pass rate of 92% compared to the global CMA pass rate of approximately 50%. 👉https://cmaexamacademy.com/16-week-accelerator/ref/nathan/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=cma-salary-by-us-region -------------------- SAY HI ON SOCIAL LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanliao/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cma_coach/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cmacoach

  6. Oct 10

    EP 184: Will AI Replace Accountants by 2030?

    Will AI replace accountants by 2030? Part of the job, yes. The World Economic Forum projects 92 million roles displaced and 170 million created by 2030, a net gain of 78 million jobs, with 39% of today's core skills expected to change along the way. In this episode I go through what that actually means for accounting and finance professionals, why the fastest-growing skill in the world is the one most of us are nervous about, and which parts of the CMA syllabus already test the work that's growing. Free live CMA Masterclass- Discover how to pass the CMA exam the first time 👉https://cma-exam-academy.webinargeek.com/how-to-pass-the-cma-exam-on-the-first-try?cst=podcast Free CMA Exam Cheat Sheet: 👉https://cmaexamacademy.com/secret/?source=podcast&referred_by=will-ai-replace-accountants-2030 16-WEEK ACCELERATOR CMA Exam Academy is a structured coaching program — not a self-paced course — that prepares accounting and finance professionals to pass the Certified Management Accountant exam in 16 weeks per part. Students get weekly coaching calls, a week-by-week study plan, unlimited coaching support, and a pass-or-100%-refund guarantee. Academy students have an average exam pass rate of 92% compared to the global CMA pass rate of approximately 50%. 👉 https://cmaexamacademy.com/16-week-accelerator/ref/nathan/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=will-ai-replace-accountants-2030 Sources: World Economic Forum, Future of Jobs Report 2025 👉 https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/ -------------------- SAY HI ON SOCIAL LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanliao/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cma_coach/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cmacoach

  7. Aug 27

    EP 183: What Happens if You Fail the CMA Exam

    In this episode, you'll learn how to use your performance report to identify what went wrong, prioritize the areas that need the most work, and build an effective 8-week CMA retake plan. You'll also discover the key practice exam checkpoints to know when you're truly ready to retake the exam. If your first attempt didn't go as planned, this episode will help you approach your next one with a smarter strategy and a clear path forward. Tune in to learn how to prepare smarter and come back stronger on your next CMA exam attempt. ---------- RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 👉 Get your free copy of my CMA exam secrets cheat sheet here: https://cmaexamacademy.com/secret/ ---------- CMA EXAM COACHING: Want to pass your CMA exam on your first attempt? CMA Exam Academy is accepting new students who are seriously ready to become CMAs. Nathan Liao (aka the CMA Coach) has coached over 37,000 CMA candidates who came knocking at his door seeking guidance. And just like them, Nathan is here to show you how you can also pass the CMA exam on your first attempt without wasting money or time. For details, click here: https://bit.ly/2IOYRvL ---------- SAY HI ON SOCIAL: Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cma_coach/ Watch exam videos on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/cmacoach Follow my page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CMACoach Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanliao/ If tweeting is your thing, follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CMA_Coach/ Do you enjoy short-form videos? TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cmacoach For an audio-only experience, join my club on Clubhouse: https://www.joinclubhouse.com/club/cma-coach #cmacoach #cmaexam #cmaexamacademy #earncma

  8. Aug 13

    EP 182: How to Become a Certified Management Accountant in 2026

    Ready to earn your CMA certification? In this episode, you'll discover the 10 essential steps to become a Certified Management Accountant in as little as 8 months instead of the 3 years many candidates take. Learn how to fast-track your CMA journey, unlock better career opportunities, and increase your earning potential. Tune in now and take the first step toward your CMA certification! ---------- RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 👉 Get your free copy of my CMA exam secrets cheat sheet here: https://cmaexamacademy.com/secret/ ---------- CMA EXAM COACHING: Want to pass your CMA exam on your first attempt? CMA Exam Academy is accepting new students who are seriously ready to become CMAs. Nathan Liao (aka the CMA Coach) has coached over 37,000 CMA candidates who came knocking at his door seeking guidance. And just like them, Nathan is here to show you how you can also pass the CMA exam on your first attempt without wasting money or time. For details, click here: https://bit.ly/2IOYRvL ---------- SAY HI ON SOCIAL: Connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cma_coach/ Watch exam videos on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/cmacoach Follow my page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CMACoach Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanliao/ If tweeting is your thing, follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CMA_Coach/ Do you enjoy short-form videos? TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cmacoach For an audio-only experience, join my club on Clubhouse: https://www.joinclubhouse.com/club/cma-coach #cmacoach #cmaexam #cmaexamacademy #earncma

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4.7
out of 5
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About

Welcome to The CMA Show! In every episode we go inside the minds of the most successful Management Accountants i.e. CFOs, Corporate Controllers, VPs of Finance so you can learn how to move up the ranks just like they did. You'll learn the aha moments that led them to where they are today, lessons learned along their career trajectory, and how you can replicate their success. The show is sponsored by CMA Exam Academy, the instructor-led prep course helping professionals around the world pass the exam and earn their Certified Management Accountant designation.

Information

  • Creator
    Nathan Liao, CMA / Anchor
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    189
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © CMA Exam Academy, LLC | All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    The CMA Show

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