What Gleim Exam Prep does

Gleim Exam Prep is a privately held, family-owned education company founded in 1974 by Dr. Irvin N. Gleim, operating through Gleim Publications, Inc. and Gleim Internet, Inc. from Gainesville, Florida. The company pioneered the self-study exam preparation category when Dr. Gleim wrote the first CPA self-study book, and has since created the world's first CIA review course (1980) and the first CMA prep course (1981). Today, Gleim produces feedback-driven exam prep courses across six accounting certifications (CPA, CMA, CIA, EA, FMAA, IAP) and a full pilot training stack through its wholly owned Gleim Aviation subsidiary, including FAA Part 141 approved ground schools, flight simulation hardware, training records, and pilot supplies. Its proprietary Knowledge Transfer System pairs every question with an immediate explanation and is supported by content authored by industry educators and content partnerships with IMA (Strategic Partner for CMA) and NATP (Preferred Provider for EA).

The business operates on a dual-portfolio model with overlapping go-to-market motions. Consumer revenue flows through direct e-commerce at gleim.com and aviation.gleim.com, with accounting courses sold primarily as 12-month subscriptions and aviation products spanning low-cost consumables ($12.95 pilot logbooks) up through high-end hardware (Gleim Flight Experience BATD at $8,999.95). Enterprise and institutional revenue is generated through 300+ academic institution partnerships (free desk copies, professor toolkits, institutional licensing), an aviation reseller program serving flight schools and pilot shops, and preferred-provider arrangements with industry associations. The company is currently led by CEO Lorie M. Gleim following the passing of founder Dr. Irvin N. Gleim, with no disclosed external institutional investment. Notable differentiators include WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility compliance, the largest question banks in the EA segment (3,500+ vs. 2,000 for competitors), and lifetime outcomes exceeding one million candidates certified.

Name

Gleim Exam Prep

Legal name

Gleim Publications, Inc.

Website

https://gleim.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Gleim Exam Prep is a privately held, family-owned education company that creates self-study exam preparation courses for six accounting certifications (CPA, CMA, CIA, EA, FMAA, IAP) and a full pilot training stack through its Gleim Aviation subsidiary. It serves individual candidates via direct e-commerce and 300+ academic institutions plus industry partners like IMA and NATP.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Certification Exam Preparation

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Accounting & Finance Certification Prep (CPA, CMA, CFA, FRM) (EDANAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Finance, Accounting & Risk (CFA/CPA/FRM) Certifications (EDAAANAD), Professional Licensure & Certification Exam Prep (Bar/CPA/NCLEX/PMP, etc.) (EDAGADAD)

Keywords

• Accounting exam preparation
• Aviation training materials
• Professional certification courses
• Pilot certification prep
• Continuing professional education

Headquarters

HQ city

Gainesville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Exam Preparation Course Sales: Gleim generates revenue primarily through the sale of exam preparation courses for professional accounting and aviation certifications. Products include CPA, CMA, CIA, EA, FMAA, and IAP exam prep courses, sold as one-time purchases or online subscriptions with varying access periods (typically 12 months). Aviation products include pilot training materials, flight simulation courses, and ground school programs.
2. Online Course Subscriptions: Online courseware and test prep software sold as subscriptions with access periods of typically 12 months from date of purchase. Extensions available at half the current purchase price.
3. Aviation Training Products: Sale of physical aviation training products including flight simulation hardware (Flight Experience BATD, Virtual Cockpit systems), pilot supplies (logbooks, plotters, flight computers), training records, and books. Hardware products range from $79.99 to $8,999.95.
4. Academic Institution Partnerships: Revenue from partnerships with 300+ academic institutions worldwide through provision of educational materials, tools, and services for professors including free desk copies and institutional licensing.
5. CPE and Continuing Education: Continuing Professional Education courses for accounting and aviation professionals, including free CPE for professors and paid courses for practitioners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Gleim Exam Prep develops and sells self-study exam preparation courses and materials for professional accounting certifications (CPA, CMA, CIA, EA, FMAA, IAP) and FAA pilot certifications (Sport Pilot through ATP, plus aviation maintenance). Offerings are delivered as online courseware subscriptions (typically 12-month access) and physical products including flight simulation devices, training records, logbooks, and pilot supplies, supported by unlimited expert access and continuing professional education (CPE/AFSP) courses.

Product overview

Gleim Exam Prep is a comprehensive exam preparation company offering a dual-portfolio approach across accounting and aviation sectors. The accounting division provides exam prep for professional certifications including CPA, CMA, CIA, Enrolled Agent (EA), FMAA, and Internal Audit Practitioner (IAP), along with CPE and the AFSP program for tax professionals. The aviation division offers pilot training materials covering all certification levels from Sport Pilot through Airline Transport Pilot, flight simulation products, Online Ground Schools (including FAA Part 141 approved courses), training records, pilot refresher courses, and testing management solutions. The company also serves academia with professor tools and student resources. The product ecosystem includes core exam prep courses, add-on modules like CPE and AFSP, physical supplies (logbooks, plotters, flight computers), and digital tools like the X-Plane Flight Training Course.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Gleim Aviation: Aviation training materials including pilot certification prep (sport, private, instrument, commercial, ATP), flight simulation products, FAA test prep, and aviation maintenance technician training

Products and services

• CPA Exam Prep Comprehensive Certified Public Accountant exam preparation course based on the original feedback-driven self-study format, authored by industry leaders and accounting educators, and used at hundreds of colleges and universities worldwide.
• CMA Exam Prep Certified Management Accountant exam prep course; the first CMA prep course ever created, now endorsed by the IMA and relied upon by IMA-endorsed schools.
• CIA Exam Prep Certified Internal Auditor exam preparation course; the world's first CIA review course, known internationally as the #1 choice for CIA exam prep for decades, with 99% of CIAs who choose it recommending it to others.
• EA Exam Prep

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million candidates have earned professional certifications using Gleim materials
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMA Strategic Partner status. Gleim is an official strategic partner of IMA, the organization that administers the CMA (Certified Management Accountant) certification. Gleim's content is relied on by IMA-endorsed schools, and the company supports IMA's FMAA certification initiative.
• National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNATP Preferred Provider designation. Gleim is the preferred provider of Enrolled Agent exam prep materials for NATP members, the leading professional organization for tax preparers in the United States.
• 300+ Academic Institutions WorldwidecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGleim's materials and tools for professors are trusted by more than 300 schools worldwide. The company offers free desk copies, free CPE, an easy-to-use toolkit for professors, and institutional licensing.
• FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGleim Aviation holds FAA Part 141 approval as a pilot school and ground school provider. The company's course materials are FAA-approved and overseen by the FAA. Gleim's AvLearn testing management system and Part 141 certification tools are designed to FAA standards.
• Bread of the Mighty Food BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCharitable recipient of Gleim's Feeding Families campaign donations. Gleim has contributed over 352,000 meals since 2019, including 60,671 meals donated to the food bank serving North Central Florida.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Becker Professional Education: Becker is one of the largest and most established CPA/CMA/CIA exam prep providers in the U.S., directly competing with Gleim across the same accounting certification courses, pricing tiers, and self-study format.
• UWorld (formerly Wiley CPA Review): UWorld acquired Wiley's CPA Review business and now offers accounting/finance exam prep (CPA, CMA) using adaptive learning. It competes head-to-head with Gleim's flagship CPA and CMA review courses.
• Surgent CPA Review: Surgent is a tech-forward CPA/EA review provider referenced explicitly in Gleim's marketing as a competitor. Its adaptive question bank and pass-rate guarantees compete with Gleim's larger 3,500+ question bank.
• Roger CPA Review: Roger CPA Review is a direct competitor in the CPA self-study prep market, with a video-heavy, instructor-led approach that contrasts with Gleim's text-driven Knowledge Transfer System.
• Yaeger CPA Review: Yaeger offers CPA and CMA exam prep courses via live and online formats, competing with Gleim on price, instructor access, and pass-rate guarantees in the same accounting certification niche.
• King Schools: King Schools is a leading pilot training course provider (Private through ATP, drone, and ground school), competing directly with Gleim Aviation across FAA knowledge test prep and online ground schools.
• Sporty's Pilot Shop: Sporty's offers pilot training courses, FAA test prep, and pilot supplies, overlapping with Gleim Aviation's ground schools, training records, and pilot accessories business.
• ASA (Aviation Supplies & Academics): ASA is a long-standing publisher of FAA handbooks, test prep, and pilot supplies. It competes with Gleim Aviation across printed and digital pilot training materials and accessories.

Emerging players

• Pilot Institute: Pilot Institute is a fast-growing online drone and pilot training school, competing with Gleim Aviation in Part 107 drone, Private, and commercial pilot certification prep with strong digital-first delivery.

Broad incumbents

• Pearson Education: Pearson is a global education publisher and assessment provider that competes broadly with Gleim's content and certification prep offerings across multiple verticals as part of a much larger portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gleimaccounting
• Facebookfacebook.com/gleimaccounting
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gleim-publications

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gleim Exam Prep