Company Secretary vs Cost and Management Accountant: Full Comparison
Published on: August 14, 2025
A Company Secretary is a person who ensures that a company adheres to laws and regulations in its day-to-day functioning. It is a professional course offered by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). They act as a vital link between the board of directors, shareholders, and other stakeholders. In essence, they are the in-house legal and compliance experts, guiding the company on its legal and ethical obligations.
COMPANY SECRETARY SYLLABUS
The New Syllabus shall comprise of:
(i) an Online Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test (CSEET) consisting of four (4) parts,
(ii) Seven (7) Papers at the Executive Programme and
(iii) Seven (7) Papers at the Professional Programme, including Two Papers as elective papers.
DURATION
The duration of the course is as follows :
The duration of the course can be summarised as 3 – 3.5 years
ELIGIBILITY
The CS course begins with the CSEET (Company Secretary Executive Entrance Test), which is open to students who have passed or are appearing for their 12th standard exams. It is structured into three levels.
Graduates can begin directly from the CS Executive level without appearing for the CSEET.
Students appearing in the final year / final semester examination (can register provisionally)
EXAM PATTERN
The CSEET exams are conducted four times a year in January, May, July, and November, while CS Executive and CS Professional exams are conducted twice a year – June & December.
Below are the exam patterns of each level.
CAREER PATHS
The CS course offers a wide variety of career paths, such as :
(a) Legal Advisor
(b) Secretarial Auditor
(c) Chief Compliance Officer
(d) Corporate Affairs Manager
The job roles offered by CMA include:
1. Cost Accountant
2. Finance Director
3. Financial Risk Manager
4. Chief Internal Auditor
WHAT IS CMA
CMA India, or Cost and Management Accountant, is a certification in India that focuses on Cost and Management Accountancy. It is administered by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMA).
CMA USA, or the Certified Management Accountant certification, involves professional courses from the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), USA, and is recognised in over 150 countries. The profession focuses on Management Accounting and Financial Management
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CMA USA AND CMA INDIA
Eligibility Comparison: Both CMA USA and CMA India can be pursued after clearing the 12th boards. For CMA USA, students must hold a degree (which can be obtained through correspondence). For CMA India, students with a degree (except in arts or music) can directly start at the Intermediate Level.
CMA USA vs CMA India Salary: A qualified CMA USA professional in India starts with a salary of ₹6 LPA, which can range up to ₹20 LPA, with an average salary of ₹12 LPA. The salary package differs depending on the country of employment.
The prospective salary of CMA India ranges from ₹8 LPA to ₹60 LPA, with an average salary of ₹24 LPA.
CMA USA vs CMA India: Which is Better?
The decision of which course is better is subjective and depends on the individual. However, the following factors will help in making the decision:
- Location: Whether one plans to work in India or abroad.
- Budget: CMA USA is more expensive than CMA India.
- Time: CMA USA can be completed in 6-12 months, while CMA India takes 3.5-4 years.
- Work Expertise: CMA USA focuses on Management Accounting and Financial Management, while CMA India focuses on Accounting, Costing, and Strategic Management.
- Industry or Sector: CMA USA is relevant in sectors like Manufacturing, Financial Services, Technology, and Consultancy. CMA India is focused on Accounting, Manufacturing, Energy, Education, etc.
FAQ
1. Which course should I choose – CS or CMA?
· Choose CS if you are interested in company law, compliance, governance and legal advisory roles and choose CMA if you have your interest in financial analysis, cost management, budgeting and strategic business decisions.
2. Which course has greater global recognition?
CS is recognised mainly in India, whereas CMA USA has global recognition in over 150 countries.
3. Which are the subjects covered under CSEET?
The CS Executive Entrance Test shall be conducted on a single day as per the following: Computer Based Test of 120 Minutes consisting of four parts viz. (i) Business Communication; (ii) Legal Aptitude & Logical Reasoning (iii) Economic and Business Environment & (iv) Current Affairs and Quantitative Aptitude Viva Voce of 15 Minutes on “Presentation and Communication Skills”
4. Is there any negative marking in CSEET?
No. There is no negative marking.
5. Can the Graduates / Post Graduates (Bachelor’ s/Master's Degree Holders can seek registration directly to the Executive Programme?
Yes. The Graduates/ Post Graduates can take direct admission in the CS Executive Programme.
