CMA
Abbreviation with 6 meanings
| Stands for | Competition and Markets Authority |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 6 |
| Categories | Government & Politics, Business & Finance, Education & Academia, Medical, Arts & Entertainment |
CMA has six meanings. The most common are Competition and Markets Authority (UK government) and Comparative market analysis (real estate & mortgage); it can also stand for Certified Management Accountant, Certified Medical Assistant, Country Music Association and Cost and Management Accountant.
Meanings of CMA at a glance
| # | CMA stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Competition and Markets Authority | Government & Politics › UK Government |
| 2 | Comparative market analysis | Business & Finance › Real Estate & Mortgage |
| 3 | Certified Management Accountant | Education & Academia › Professional Certification |
| 4 | Certified Medical Assistant | Medical › Healthcare Credential |
| 5 | Country Music Association | Arts & Entertainment › Music |
| 6 | Cost and Management Accountant | Education & Academia › Professional Certification |
1. Competition and Markets Authority
Government & Politics · UK Government Abbreviations
UK competition regulator that reviews mergers, investigates cartels and anti-competitive practices and enforces consumer protection law. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 gave it new powers over large technology firms.
Example: The CMA opened an investigation into the merger of the two supermarket chains.
Formed in April 2014 by merging the Office of Fair Trading and the Competition Commission. After Brexit it took on global merger reviews previously handled by the European Commission, and in 2023 it initially blocked Microsoft's takeover of Activision Blizzard before approving a restructured deal.
2. Comparative market analysis
Business & Finance · Real Estate & Mortgage Abbreviations
Report a real estate agent prepares to estimate a home's likely selling price by comparing it with similar nearby properties that recently sold, are pending or are currently listed, adjusted for differences in size, condition and features.
Example: Our agent's CMA suggested listing between $485,000 and $500,000.
A CMA is free and usually prepared to win a listing or guide an offer, but it is not an appraisal, which is performed by a licensed appraiser for a lender. Sellers sometimes choose agents who quote the highest CMA, a practice called "buying the listing."
3. Certified Management Accountant
Education & Academia · Professional Certification Abbreviations
Management accounting certification awarded by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) to professionals in corporate finance, budgeting, cost management and decision support. Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree, pass a two-part exam and complete two years of relevant experience.
Example: Our controller is a CMA with fifteen years in manufacturing cost accounting.
The CMA is popular in corporate accounting departments and internationally, especially in the Middle East and Asia. Each exam part combines multiple-choice questions with essay scenarios. In Canada, the former CMA designation merged into the CPA in 2014, and in India CMA means Cost and Management Accountant.
4. Certified Medical Assistant
Medical · Healthcare Credential Abbreviations
Credential from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), written CMA (AAMA). Candidates must graduate from a medical assisting program accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES and pass the certification exam.
Example: Front office lead, CMA (AAMA), trains new hires on EHR intake.
The credential must be recertified every 60 months, by exam or continuing education. Because medication aides in some states are also called CMAs (certified medication aides), context matters. Recertification by continuing education requires 60 CEUs; otherwise the exam must be retaken.
5. Country Music Association
Arts & Entertainment · Music Abbreviations
Nashville-based trade organization for the country music industry, best known for the CMA Awards each November and the CMA Fest summer festival.
Example: She won Entertainer of the Year at the CMA Awards in Nashville.
Founded in 1958, at a time when rock and roll was hurting country radio. The first CMA Awards were held in 1967. A separate organization, the Academy of Country Music, presents the ACM Awards. In medicine CMA means certified medical assistant.
6. Cost and Management Accountant
Education & Academia · Professional Certification Abbreviations
Indian professional designation awarded by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI), a statutory body, after foundation, intermediate and final exams plus practical training. CMAs specialize in cost accounting, cost audit and management accounting.
Example: Companies above the statutory threshold must appoint a practicing CMA to conduct their cost audit.
The institute was formerly the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India (ICWAI), and older holders may still use that name. Cost audits under India's Companies Act can be signed only by qualified cost accountants. The designation is distinct from the US Certified Management Accountant despite the identical letters.
Related abbreviations
More UK government abbreviations
- BoE – Bank of England
- CBE – Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- COBR – Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms
- Con – Conservative and Unionist Party
- CPS – Crown Prosecution Service
- CQC – Care Quality Commission
- DBS – Disclosure and Barring Service
- DBT – Department for Business and Trade
See all 91 UK government abbreviations →
More real estate & mortgage abbreviations
- CC&Rs – Covenants, conditions and restrictions
- CCIM – Certified Commercial Investment Member
- CD – Closing Disclosure
- CLTV – Combined loan-to-value ratio
- CO – Certificate of occupancy
- COA – Condominium owners association
- CoC – Cash-on-cash return
- COE – Certificate of Eligibility
See all 95 real estate & mortgage abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.