Association and CPA.com Startup Accelerator

Name

Association and CPA.com Startup Accelerator

Legal name

Association of International Certified Professional Accountants

Website

https://aicpa-cima.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Accounting Services

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Software Publishers (513210)

akta.pro primary industry

Accounting, Audit & Tax (CPA/CA/ACCA CPE) (EDAAALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Finance, Accounting & Risk (CFA/CPA/FRM) Certifications (EDAAANAD), Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF), Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

Keywords

• Professional accounting credentials
• Continuing professional education
• Management accounting designation
• CPA certification programs
• Accounting professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees for AICPA and CIMA members providing access to resources, credentials, and member benefits
2. Professional Development Courses: CPE (Continuing Professional Education) courses, self-study materials, and webcasts sold to members and non-members for license maintenance and skill development
3. Conference Registration: In-person and virtual conference tickets for professional development events including ENGAGE, SEC/PCAOB developments conference, and industry-specific conferences
4. Credential and Exam Fees: Fees for CGMA qualification, CPA exam-related services, and professional credentials

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Association and CPA.com Startup Accelerator is a program of AICPA & CIMA, the global voice of the accounting and finance profession. The accelerator offers $25,000 per startup focused on transforming the accounting profession industry. The broader organization provides professional credentials (CPA, CGMA), continuing professional education (CPE) courses, webcasts, certificate programs, conferences, and resources for accounting and finance professionals across 150 countries and territories.

Product overview

AICPA & CIMA operates a comprehensive professional development ecosystem offering multiple learning formats (self-study, webcasts, conferences, publications) across accounting and finance specializations. The core platform includes CPExpress for on-demand CPE, the Annual Webcast Pass for unlimited webcast access, and certificate programs in cybersecurity, blockchain, and data analytics. The portfolio encompasses the CGMA Professional Qualification with associated learning pathways (Self-Tailored and Finance Leadership Program), the free CGMA Case Study Structured Success exam preparation program, and the ENGAGE annual conference series. Additional offerings include specialized courses in audit, tax, ethics, technology, management accounting, and various topic-specific conferences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CGMA: Chartered Global Management Accountant designation - a global management accounting credential recognizing professionals with advanced proficiency in finance, operations, strategy and management.
• CGMA Finance Leadership Program
• CPExpress
• AICPA & CIMA Certificates
• Webcast Pass
• CGMA Case Study Structured Success

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of CGMA Case Study candidates reported the Structured Success program helped them develop essential exam skills

Segments5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Aon InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTrusted business partner for insurance products and services offered to members and customers in the United States
• State CPA SocietiescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration with state-level CPA societies for member services, credential verification, and professional development coordination
• CPA.comcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology and business solutions partner for CPA firm technology initiatives and business transformation services

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ISACA: Global professional association for IT governance, risk, and cybersecurity professionals offering CISA, CISM, and CRISC credentials. Comparable credentialing-plus-CPE business model and increasingly relevant as AICPA expands into cybersecurity and data analytics certificates.
• ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants): UK-headquartered global accounting body issuing the ACCA qualification across 180+ countries. Comparable to CIMA in global credentialing footprint and to AICPA in CPE/learning model, with overlapping member and candidate audiences.
• CPA Australia: Major Asia-Pacific professional accounting body offering CPA designation, CPE, and member services. Comparable mission, structure, and product portfolio to AICPA & CIMA, but geographically focused on Australia and APAC.
• IMA (Institute of Management Accountants): US-based professional association for management accountants issuing the CMA (Certified Management Accountant) credential. Directly competes with AICPA/CIMA's CGMA designation in the management accounting segment.
• CA ANZ (Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand): Trans-Tasman accounting body issuing the CA designation with global member services. Comparable professional body with overlapping credentialing, learning, and member-benefit model to AICPA & CIMA.
• IIA (Institute of Internal Auditors): Global professional association for internal auditors issuing the CIA credential. Adjacent within the accounting/assurance profession with similar CPE, certification, and member-service business model.
• CPA Canada (Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada): National professional accounting body for Canadian CPAs offering credentialing, CPE, and member services. Directly comparable to AICPA's CPA franchise in structure, mission, and product mix, just operating in the Canadian market.

Broad incumbents

• Coursera: Global online learning platform offering professional certificates and courses including accounting and finance credentials from universities and companies. Represents a broader competitive threat to AICPA's premium CPE pricing rather than a direct competitor.

Emerging players

• Becker Professional Education: Leading US CPA Exam prep provider offering courses, CPE, and professional education. Competes with AICPA's CPA exam prep and CPE content in the same customer base but focused on exam preparation rather than full credentialing.
• Wiley Efficient Learning (CPA Review): Major CPA and CMA exam prep provider. Overlaps with AICPA & CIMA's credentialing preparation and CPE offerings, particularly around CMA exam prep which directly competes with CGMA pathways.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments4 records

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

Frequently asked questions about Association and CPA.com Startup Accelerator