CMA Foundation Course

CMA Foundation Course in Coimbatore

The CMA (Cost & Management Accountant) Foundation Course is a part of the CMA certification program offered by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI). It is a professional course designed to provide foundational knowledge in the field of cost and management accounting. The ICMAI is the regulatory body that administers the CMA course in India.

Overview of CMA Foundation Course

  1. Objective: The primary objective of the CMA Foundation Course is to introduce students to the fundamental concepts and principles of cost and management accounting. It forms the basis for further study and specialization in the field.

  2. Eligibility: To enroll in the CMA Foundation Course, candidates need to have completed their 10+2 (or equivalent) examination from a recognized board. There are no specific percentage requirements for eligibility.

  3. Course Structure: The CMA Foundation Course consists of four papers:

    • Paper 1: Fundamentals Of Business Laws And Business Communication (FBLC)
    • Paper 2: Fundamentals Of Financial And Cost Accounting (FFCA)
    • Paper 3: Fundamentals Of Business Mathematics And Statistics (FBMS)
    • Paper 4: Fundamentals Of Business Economics And Management (FBEM)
  4. Examination: The CMA Foundation examination is conducted twice a year, typically in June and December. The examination is conducted in a multiple-choice question (MCQ) format.

  5. Passing Criteria: Candidates need to secure a certain percentage of marks in each paper and an overall aggregate to pass the CMA Foundation examination.

  6. Exemption: Candidates who have completed certain qualifications, such as a bachelor’s degree in commerce, may be eligible for exemption from appearing in certain papers of the CMA Foundation examination. Exemptions are granted based on the candidate’s prior qualifications.

  7. Study Materials: The ICMAI provides study materials for the CMA Foundation Course.

  8. Career Progression: Upon successfully completing the CMA Foundation Course, candidates can progress to the next levels of the CMA program, which include the Intermediate and Final courses. These levels provide more in-depth knowledge and specialization in cost and management accounting.

Syllabus for CA Intermediate Course

PAPER 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS LAWS AND BUSINESS COMMUNICATION (FBLC) (100 MARKS)
SECTION A: FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS LAWS
1. Introduction

1.1 Sources of Law
1.2 Legislative Process in India
1.3 Legal Methods and Court System in India
1.4 Primary and Subordinate Legislation

2. Indian Contracts Act, 1872

2.1 Essential Elements of a Contract, Offer and Acceptance
2.2 Void and Voidable Agreements, No Consideration No Contract
2.3 Consideration, Legality of Object and Consideration
2.4 Capacity of Parties, Free Consent
2.5 Contingent Contracts
2.6 Performance of Contracts
2.7 Meaning of Indemnity, Guarantee, Pledge, Agent
2.8 E-Contracts and E-Signature – Meanings and Requirements
2.9 Discharge of Contracts
2.10 Breach of Contract and Remedies for Breach of Contract
Paper 1

3. Sale of Goods Act, 1930

3.1. Definition
3.2. Transfer of Ownership
3.3. Essential Conditions of a Contract of Sale
3.4. Conditions and Warranties
3.5. Performance of the Contract of Sale
3.6. Rights of Unpaid Seller

4. Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881

4.1. Characteristics of Negotiable Instruments
4.2. Definitions of Promissory Note, Bill of Exchange and Cheque
4.3. Difference between Promissory Note, Bill of Exchange and Cheque
4.4. Crossing – Meaning, Definition and Types of Crossing
4.5. Dishonour of Cheques (Section 138)

SECTION B: BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
5. Business Communication

5.1 Introduction to Business Communication
5.2 Features of Effective Business Communication
5.3 Process of Communication
5.4 Types of Business Communication
5.4.1 Formal and Informal Communication
5.4.2 Written, Verbal and Non-verbal Communication
5.4.3 Vertical, Horizontal and Diagonal Communication
5.4.4 Upward and Downward Communication
5.5 Internet-based Business Communication
5.6 Do’s and Don’ts of Communication through Social Media
5.7 Writing and Drafting for Business Audiences
5.7.1 Letter and Memorandum
5.7.2 Report – Formal and Informal
5.7.3 Business Proposal
5.7.4 Enhancement of Writing Skills
5.8 Intercultural and International Business Communication
5.9 Barriers to Business Communication
5.10 Legal Aspects of Business Communication
5.11 Use of Graphics and References for Business Communication

PAPER 2: FUNDAMENTALS OF FINANCIAL AND COST ACCOUNTING (FFCA) (100 MARKS)

SECTION A: FUNDAMENTALS OF FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING

1. Accounting Fundamentals

1.1 Understanding of Four Frameworks of Accounting (Conceptual, Legal, Institutional and
Regulatory) and Forms of Organization
1.2 Accounting Principles, Concepts and Conventions
1.3 Capital and Revenue Transactions – Capital and Revenue Expenditures, Capital and Revenue
Receipts
1.4 Accounting Cycle – Charts of Accounts and Codification Structure, Analysis of Transaction –
Accounting Equation, Double Entry System, Books of Original Entry, Subsidiary Books and
Finalisation of Accounts
1.5 Journal (Day Books; Journal Proper – Opening, Transfer, Closing, Adjustment and Rectification
Entries), Ledger
1.6 Cash Book, Bank Book, Petty Cash Book, Bank Reconciliation Statement
1.7 Trial Balance
1.8 Adjustment Entries and Rectification of Errors
1.9 Depreciation (Straight Line and Diminishing Balance Methods only)
1.10 Accounting Treatment of Bad Debts and Provision for Doubtful Debts

2. Accounting for Special Transactions

2.1 Consignment
2.2 Joint Venture
2.3 Bills of Exchange (excluding Accommodation Bill, Insolvency)

3. Preparation of Final Accounts

3.1 Preparation of Financial Statements of Sole Proprietorship
3.1.1 Income Statement, Balance Sheet
3.2 Preparation of Financial Statements of a Not-for-Profit Organisation
3.2.1 Preparation of Receipts and Payments Account
3.2.2 Preparation of Income and Expenditure Account
3.2.3 Preparation of Balance Sheet

SECTION B: FUNDAMENTALS OF COST ACCOUNTING
4. Fundamentals of Cost Accounting

4.1 Meaning, Definition, Significance of Cost Accounting, its Relationship with Financial Accounting
4.2 Application of Cost Accounting for Business Decisions
4.3 Definition of Cost, Cost Centre, Cost Unit and Cost Drivers
4.4 Classification of Costs (with reference to Cost Accounting Standard 1)
4.5 Ascertainment of Cost and Preparation of Statement of Cost and Profit (Cost Sheet)

PAPER 3: FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS (FBMS) (100 MARKS)
SECTION A: FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS MATHEMATICS
1. Arithmetic

1.1 Ratios, Variations and Proportions
1.2 Time Value of Money and Annuity – Simple and Compound Interest
1.3 Arithmetic Progression and Geometric Progression
1.4 Time and Distance

2. Algebra

2.1 Set Theory, including Venn Diagram
2.2 Indices and Logarithms (Basic Concepts)
2.3 Permutation and Combinations (Basic Concepts)
2.4 Quadratic Equations (Basic Concepts)

3. Calculus – Application in Business

3.1 Concept of Calculus and its Application in Business
3.2 Revenue and Cost Function
3.3 Optimisation Techniques (Basic Concepts)

SECTION B: FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS STATISTICS
4. Statistical Representation of Data

4.1 Diagrammatic Representation of Data
4.2 Frequency Distribution
4.3 Graphical Representation of Frequency Distribution – Histogram, Frequency Polygon Curve,
Ogive, Pie-chart

5. Measures of Central Tendency and Dispersion

5.1 Mean, Median, Mode, Mean Deviation
5.2 Range, Quartiles and Quartile Deviation
5.3 Standard Deviation
5.4 Co-efficient of Variation
5.5 Karl Pearson and Bowley’s Co-efficient of Skewness

6. Correlation and Regression

6.1 Scatter Diagram
6.2 Karl Pearson’s Co-efficient of Correlation
6.3 Regression Analysis

7. Probability

7.1 Concepts and Terminologies
7.2 Primary applications of Probability Theorems

8. Index Numbers and Time Series

8.1 Uses of Index Numbers, Methods of Construction of Index Number
8.2 Components of Time Series and Calculation of Trend by Moving Average Method

PAPER 4: FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT (FBEM) (100 MARKS)
SECTION A: FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS ECONOMICS
1. Basic Concepts

1.1 The Fundamentals of Economics
1.2 Utility, Wealth, Production
1.3 Theory of Demand (Meaning, Determinants of Demand, Law of Demand, Elasticity of Demand
– Price, Income and Cross Elasticity, Theory of Consumer Behaviour, Demand Forecasting) and
Supply (Meaning, Determinants, Law of Supply and Elasticity of Supply), Equilibrium
1.4 Theory of Production (Meaning, Factors, Laws of Production – Law of Variable Proportion, Laws
of Returns to Scale)
1.5 Cost of Production (Concept of Costs, Short-run and Long-run Costs, Average and Marginal Costs,
Total, Fixed and Variable Costs)
1.6 Means of Production

2. Forms of Market

2.1 Pricing of Products and Services in Various Forms of Markets – Perfect Competition, Duopoly,
Oligopoly, Monopoly, Monopolistic Competition
2.2 Price Discrimination

3. Money and Banking

3.1 Money – Types, Features and Functions
3.2 Banking – Definition, Functions, Utility, Principles
3.3 Commercial Banks, Central Bank
3.4 Measures of Credit Control and Money Market

4. Economic and Business Environment

4.1 PESTEL (Political, Economic, Societal, Technological and Legal) Analysis
4.2 Emerging Dimensions of VUCAFU (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity, Fear of
Unknown and Unprecedentedness)

SECTION B – FUNDAMENTALS OF MANAGEMENT
5. Fundamentals of Management

5.1 Introduction to Management
5.2 Stewardship Theory and Agency Theory of Management
5.3 Planning, Organizing, Staffing and Leading
5.4 Communication, Co-ordination, Collaboration, Monitoring and Control
5.5 Organisation Structure, Responsibility, Accountability and Delegation of Authority
5.6 Leadership and Motivation – Concepts and Theories
5.7 Decision-making – Types and Process

FAQ's

The CMA Foundation Course is an entry-level course offered by ICMAI that introduces students to the fundamentals of cost and management accounting.
Students who have completed their 10+2 (or equivalent) examination from a recognized board are eligible to enroll.
The examination is conducted in a multiple-choice question (MCQ) format.
  • PAPER 1: FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS LAWS AND BUSINESS COMMUNICATION (FBLC)
  • PAPER 2: FUNDAMENTALS OF FINANCIAL AND COST ACCOUNTING (FFCA)
  • PAPER 3: FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS (FBMS)
  • PAPER 4: FUNDAMENTALS OF BUSINESS ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT (FBEM)
The examination is usually conducted twice a year, in June and December.
You need to secure a certain percentage of marks in each paper and an overall aggregate to pass.
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