HOCK international

What HOCK international does

HOCK International is a membership-based professional learning platform that prepares accounting, finance, and tax professionals for certification exams including CMA, EA, CIA, CSCA, CIA Challenge, IAP, FMAA, and Cert IFR. Founded in 2000 in Columbus, Ohio by Brian Hock and operated as HOCK International, LLC, the company delivers content through its cloud-based PassMap learning management system, which sequences textbooks, video lessons, audio, podcasts, and large question banks (4,000+ MCQs for CMA, 5,500+ for CIA, 2,800+ for EA) into personalized study plans aligned to target exam dates. The platform layers the HOCK Circle community for peer learning and live study sessions, the ExamReady progress-tracking tool, and the BrAIn AI support bot for on-demand content clarification, positioning membership as ongoing professional development rather than one-off exam prep.

The company operates a freemium-to-paid subscription model priced at $14.99/month for FMAA and Cert IFR tracks and $59.99/month (50% off promotional pricing) for CMA, EA, CIA, CSCA, IAP, and CIA Challenge memberships, with corporate bulk licenses and a no-fee authorized teaching partner program. Distribution combines a self-serve direct-to-consumer funnel with a 125+ partner reseller network across 20+ countries (64 partners in India, 61 globally), supported by regional offices in India & APAC and the Middle East & GCC. Reciprocal relationships with certifying bodies (IMA, IIA, ACCA, IRS) embed HOCK into official candidate workflows, and the 2025 acquisition of PassKey Learning Systems consolidates an established U.S. EA prep brand into HOCK. Scale signals include 15,000+ professionals in the HOCK Circle, 200+ training companies using HOCK materials, and a 4.8-star average across 1,706 verified customer reviews.

Name

HOCK international

Legal name

HOCK international, LLC

Website

https://hockinternational.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

HOCK International is a membership-based exam preparation platform serving accounting, finance, and tax professionals pursuing certifications such as CMA, EA, CIA, and CSCA. It operates a cloud-based learning system with community access and distributes through self-serve subscriptions and 125+ global teaching partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Certification Exam Preparation

NAICS

Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Test Prep Tutoring Platforms (SAT/ACT/GRE/GMAT, etc.) (EDANAGAH)

Keywords

• Certification exam preparation
• Professional accounting education
• Online learning memberships
• Tax professional training
• Financial certification courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Professional Membership Subscriptions: Monthly recurring subscriptions for exam preparation memberships (CMA, CIA, CSCA, EA) at $59.99/month (50% off) and smaller certifications (FMAA, Cert IFR) at $14.99/month. Cancel anytime with access remaining until end of billing period.
2. Freemium Access: Free membership providing limited access to first units of study materials, introductory professional development courses, and limited HOCK Circle community access. Serves as conversion funnel to paid memberships.
3. Corporate and Teaching Partner Licenses: Organizations purchase bulk membership licenses for employees or students through teaching and corporate partnerships, with partners receiving access to HOCK's complete study materials and PassMap LMS.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

HOCK International provides a membership-based professional learning platform for accounting, finance, tax, and audit professionals preparing for certification exams (CMA, EA, CIA, CSCA, FMAA, IAP, Cert IFR). Each membership bundles exam-specific study materials, video lessons, thousands of practice questions, mock exams, and access to the HOCK Circle professional community, delivered through the proprietary PassMap learning management system with BrAIn AI support and ExamReady progress tracking.

Product overview

HOCK International offers a membership-based professional learning platform for accounting, finance, and tax professionals preparing for certification exams. The core offering consists of exam-specific membership programs (CMA, EA, FMAA, CSCA, CIA, CIA Challenge, IAP, Cert IFR), all built on the PassMap learning management system. Each membership includes study materials, video lessons, practice questions, mock exams, and access to the HOCK Circle professional community. The platform also offers AI-powered tools including BrAIn (support bot) and ExamReady (progress tracking). Products range from $14.99/month to $59.99/month with discounts available. The company acquired PassKey Learning Systems in 2025, expanding its EA exam preparation offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PassKey Learning Systems: Enrolled Agent (EA) exam preparation materials brand acquired by HOCK International in 2025
• HOCK Circle
• PassMap
• ExamReady
• BrAIn

Products and services

• HOCK CMA Membership Subscription-based exam preparation for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) credential, including complete study materials, PassMap learning system, video lessons, thousands of practice questions, mock exams, and HOCK Circle community access.
• HOCK EA Membership Subscription-based preparation for the Enrolled Agent (EA) exam covering all three parts, including 45+ hours of video lessons, 2,800+ practice questions, weekly live study sessions, and practical tax courses.
• HOCK CIA Membership Subscription-based preparation for the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) credential, including study materials, 30+ hours of video lessons, 5,500+ multiple-choice questions, and an exam-style testing interface.
• HOCK CSCA Membership Subscription-based preparation for the Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis (CSCA) credential, including online textbooks, audiobooks, podcasts, 10+ hours of video lessons, and 800+ multiple-choice questions.
• HOCK FMAA Membership Subscription-based preparation for the Financial and Managerial Accounting Associate (FMAA) credential, including online textbooks, 25+ hours of video lessons, 700+ multiple-choice questions, and 2 full mock exams.
• HOCK CIA Challenge Membership Subscription-based preparation for qualified professionals pursuing CIA certification via the expedited Challenge exam path, including 22+ hours of video lessons and 3 full mock exams for the 2026 syllabus.
• HOCK IAP Membership Subscription-based preparation for the Internal Audit Practitioner (IAP) credential, the first step toward CIA certification, including 8+ hours of video lessons and 2,000+ multiple-choice questions.
• HOCK Cert IFR Membership Subscription-based preparation for the Certificate in International Financial Reporting (Cert IFR), including 21+ hours of video lessons, 1,450+ multiple-choice questions, and 4 full mock exams.
• HOCK Free Membership Free tier providing one year of limited access to first units of each exam prep course, introductory professional development courses, and limited HOCK Circle community access, designed as a conversion funnel to paid memberships.
• FMAA (Arabic) Exam Review Arabic-language subscription preparation for the FMAA credential, including 250+ pages of textbook, 700+ practice questions, 25 hours of videos with English subtitles, and a mock exam; offered with a 3-day free trial.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,000+ professionals prepared for certifications
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• BrainscapecoreTechnology or Integration · 22 September 2025HOCK partnered with Brainscape to offer AI-powered flashcards for EA, FMAA, and CSCA exams. The flashcards use active recall, spaced repetition, and metacognition techniques. Cards are built from HOCK study materials and available for separate purchase on Brainscape's platform.
• IMA (Institute of Management Accountants)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOCK offers discounts on IMA membership fees and CMA entrance fees for new members (30% discount, savings of $175+). Students can register for CMA, FMAA, and CSCA exams through HOCK at discounted rates ($50-150 savings).
• IIA (The Institute of Internal Auditors)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOCK provides exam prep for CIA, CIA Challenge, and IAP certifications administered by The IIA. Students register for exams through IIA's certification system and take exams at Pearson Vue Testing Centers.
• ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHOCK provides exam prep for Cert IFR certification administered by ACCA. Cert IFR is an ACCA qualification that helps finance professionals understand and apply International Financial Reporting Standards.
• IRS (Internal Revenue Service)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEA exam is authorized by the IRS. The exam, called Special Enrollment Examination (SEE), tests candidates on tax law and qualifies them to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Testing administered by PSI Services.
• Authorized Teaching Partners (125+ globally)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor64 authorized partners in India and 61 globally including education providers, training organizations, and companies. Partners receive access to complete study materials, PassMap LMS, instructor support, and partner portal with marketing assets. No registration fees to become a partner.
• Corporate Partner OrganizationsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOrganizations purchase HOCK memberships for employees to access certification exam preparation and professional development. Employees choose what to study based on their roles and career goals. HOCK offers flexible corporate arrangements and can develop customized learning programs.
• Prometric Testing CentersminorOthersCMA and FMAA exams are administered at Prometric Testing Centers worldwide. CSCA exams are also taken at Prometric centers with testing windows in March and September.
• Pearson Vue Testing CentersminorOthersCIA, CIA Challenge, and IAP exams are administered at Pearson Vue Testing Centers worldwide.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Becker Professional Education: Becker is the largest CPA, CMA, and CFA exam prep provider globally, with similar subscription-based access to study materials, video lectures, and practice questions. Direct competitor for CMA and a broader portfolio peer across accounting/finance certifications.
• Wiley Efficient Learning: Wiley Efficient Learning (formerly Bisk) provides CPA, CMA, and CIA exam prep with adaptive learning technology and review courses. Closely comparable to HOCK in target certifications (CMA, CIA) and subscription-based content delivery model.
• UWorld (Roger CPA Review): UWorld acquired Roger CPA Review and offers adaptive question banks and review courses for accounting and finance certifications. Direct peer in the subscription question-bank-driven prep model.
• Gleim Publications: Gleim provides CPA, CMA, CIA, and EA exam prep with comprehensive study materials and question banks. Closely comparable multi-certification strategy and similar professional certification exam focus.
• Surgent Accounting & Financial Education: Surgent provides CPA, CMA, and EA exam review with adaptive learning technology and a pass-or-refund guarantee. Direct competitor in the accounting certification prep space with similar product architecture.
• Ninja CPA Review (NINJA Notes): NINJA offers condensed CPA and CMA review materials and notes targeting busy professionals. Comparable to HOCK's "for busy lives" positioning and similar concise, supplementary prep content model.
• Knopman Marks Financial Training: Knopman Marks provides Series 6, 7, 63, and other FINRA licensing exam prep, sharing HOCK's professional certification exam prep model for working professionals with subscription access to study materials.

Emerging players

• Universal Accounting School: Universal Accounting offers professional bookkeeper and accounting certification training, including CMA-aligned programs. Comparable as an emerging professional accounting certification prep provider with similar self-paced online delivery.
• Corporate Finance Institute (CFI): CFI provides online finance and accounting certification programs (FMVA, CBCA) for working professionals. Comparable in target audience (career-advancing finance professionals) and online subscription model, though focused on different specific credentials.

Broad incumbents

• Kaplan Financial Education: Kaplan offers broad test prep across many certifications including CPA, CFA, and financial planning. Comparable as a test prep incumbent but at much broader scale and with different go-to-market (live courses, institutional).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses2 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/HOCKinternational
• Facebookfacebook.com/HOCKinternational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hockinternational
• Instagraminstagram.com/hockinternational
• Xx.com/hockintl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

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 HOCK international