“You can only achieve great things, with a great purpose.”
When I set forth on my journey to become a CMA, I started with a purpose in my mind, to be a source of inspiration to my former, current, and future students by getting the ICMA Gold Medal Award. Yes, my target was the Gold Medal Award, and I failed to hit it, nevertheless, I am blessed to have earned the CMA Bronze Medal. I hope that my story would be of help, in any way to some of the CMA candidates and for those who aspire to be a CMA and a Gold Medal Awardee in the future.
I have known the CMA designation from the time when I was still an Accountancy student, it was introduced in our school when it was still a 4-part program (probably in 2008), but it was only in August of 2013, when I finally decided to set my journey for the CMA designation. It took a long time for me decide to pursue my CMA designation because the Institute of Management Accountants does not have a local chapter in the Philippines, and I have not met any CMA who could guide me in my journey; nevertheless, I continued and joined IMA online in September 2013. I was clueless on how I could get the Gold, but I believed that I could, and things would fall to its proper places as long as I continue working on my dreams.
One of the reasons I want to be a CMA is because I have been teaching management accounting subjects for 4 years and felt like I need to revalidate my knowledge and skills in management accounting. I aimed high; I aimed for the “ICMA Board of Regents Gold Medal Award”. I believed that if I am going to be a CMA, I have to be exceptional, I have to get the Certificate of Distinguished Performance at the very least, and I know I could, if I will aim for the Gold and work hard for it. However, because of my workload, I was only able to review during the semestral break on October 2013 (I was teaching as a full-time faculty of Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation, Lucena City and a part-time faculty in its affiliate in Candelaria, Quezon). Since I already have a working knowledge of some of the topics in the CMA exam, I immediately tested myself using the free online assessment given by IMA for those who have paid for the CMA entrance fee; fortunately, I scored 83% for Part 1 and 84% for Part 2 on the first try. Because of that, I decided not to enroll and not to buy any review materials (on the bitter side, enrolling in a review center and buying review materials was not on my budget for I am the youngest child, and the one regularly supporting my parents financially). I relied on the few materials given by IMA, books from our University Library, notes from a college friend, and some materials from the internet. I used the CMA Learning Outcome Statements as a study guide, which turned out to be a great tool.
At the start of the second semester, my workload has changed because I was appointed as an Accountant in our University, while continuing to be a faculty member with a lesser teaching load. The change affected my review plan, and months have passed and I have not registered for the exams. I know that I should register within 12 months from joining IMA to be entitled for the award, but I felt like I was not ready. On the later part of January of 2014, when a promotional discount for the exams was introduced by IMA, I immediately registered, saving a few bucks. It was late to register for the JANUARY-FEBRUARY testing window, so I registered for the MAY-JUNE exams; I thought that it was a good timing because I would have time to review during the summer.
Months have passed again, and it was already April (one of the busiest season in the Accounting Department), though I have not finished any of the materials I have, I scheduled for the part 1 of the exam on May 9, and June 30 for part 2. My strategy is to focus on one part at a time, I decided to read the 28-page CMA Learning Outcome Statements again, and focus on the topics that I am not so familiar with. I gained confidence as I have covered almost all the CMA Learning Outcomes, reviewing on weeknights (while watching some teleserye with my parents) and on weekends (if not on a date with my girlfriend). I am very well prepared for the Multiple Choice Questions, but was not sure on how I would perform in the Essay Section, so I continued reading and solving problems.
At last, the exam day has come; I arrived early at the Prometric Testing Centre in Makati, but something happened, I brought all my I.Ds, except for my passport, the proctors told me that I should present my passport, but they would still try to check if my I.Ds would suffice. My serenity has gone because of the situation, I waited for half an hour (it felt like a lifetime), and God-willing, I was allowed to take the exams. On the 2nd part I brought my passport just to be sure not to experience any delay. I have performed well in both parts, though I was not able to finish the essay section on Part 1, I am very confident that I will pass the exam and have a fighting chance for an award (but I know the probability of getting the Gold is very remote).
When the results were posted in my IMA profile, I got excited because my scores were within my expectations, but was not sure if it was enough for an award. I have no idea on the minimum requirement to get at least a certificate of distinguished performance. Likewise, I was not sure on the details about completing my certification after passing the exams. I opened my IMA profile and saw a message in my inbox from one of the IMA member. I immediately search for his name in Facebook and ask him for the details of the certification, and if I have a chance for the awards. Fortunately, he immediately responded, he answered every question I had. He was very willing to assist me in the certification process. I did not know that he is the President of the newly organized local chapter of IMA in the Philippines and also the managing director of Insights Financial Review Services, Inc., a review center for US CPA, CMA & CIA. He is also the first person to congratulate me for bagging the CMA bronze medal.
I can say that I have an ordinary journey with an extraordinary result. I know this feat would open opportunities beyond my expectations when I started to enroll in the CMA program. I am very thankful for the people who supported me and those who have celebrated with my success. Yes, the quest for Gold was a success, I did not get the CMA Gold Medal, but the CMA program experience and the opportunities it presents to me are more than what I wanted. Truly, God’s plan is better than “my” plan. My achievement could be a source of inspiration not only for my students, but for those who aspire to bring honor to the country, and I know that a Filipino would get the Gold Medal in the near future, because the IMA Philippines would be there to guide the aspirants.