CEO Blog
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Hi All,
Many of you may know that I was a math major in college and received an M.S. in Math/Statistics, so you may be thinking that I am going off on a tangent (a poor pun, by the way, from the land of Geometry). At least in this blog, stay tuned – this has something to do with the CMA credential ….
The number is 32,602. If you do a search on this number, it is the zip code for Gainesville, Florida USA and among other hits, the SKU for an interactive video for children in grades 4-6 on the importance of good hygiene. But for me, this number will remain indelibly in my mind.
Why?
Just a few days ago, I was told by Dennis Whitney, Senior Vice President of the ICMA, that I passed my last CMA exam, met the education and experience requirements, and was awarded CMA certificate number 32,602!! It is an honor to join such a prestigious community and the growing number of CMA ambassadors around the globe.
Many of you also know that I had many wonderful jobs for over 2 decades in one of the world’s best known companies, AT&T. Now that I am “north” of age 50, why did I not pursue the certification at an earlier age instead of two years after I become CEO of this great association? Well, I prefer to look forward and not in the past, and I believe that having this certification greatly increases my personal credibility as I go around the world speaking to members, companies, universities, students and young professionals about the value of the CMA. In other words, I can become more effective in my job. The ability to learn, grow, and become certified is timeless and has no age limits.
Yes, I managed to “dodge” or divert attention from my original question. While I had a wonderful career at AT&T, and became CFO of a multi-billion dollar operation, I sincerely wish that I had pursued the CMA much earlier in my career. But that has turned into my message now: the CMA is the essential credential for accounting and financial professionals in business. This is my message to students, young professionals, and, seasoned professionals who wish to have a long, lucrative, and inspiring career.
Please join me in becoming a CMA global ambassador!!
Jeff Thomson, CMA number 32,602!!
Comment
Hi Jeff,
It is truly inspiring to know that you have, at this stage of your illustrious career, just obtained your CMA title very recently. This validates and gives credence to my decision as well to pursue CMA certification, although I am also at the homestretch of my career. I am just so thankful that my own version of your “32,602” is coming my way pretty soon! Kudos to you, Jeff!
Congratulations Jeff! Thank you for sharing your experience and your enthusiasm for the CMA credential. I have one test to go, and I will have earned mine. I am very happy in the decision I made to pursue the CMA. It has already revitalized my career with a renewed sense of accomplishment along with a refinement of skills needed to perform at a high level.
I look forward to becoming and ambassador as well. Again, congrats on attaining the CMA and on your successful career to date. I am sure you have many years of great things ahead of you.
Regards,
Jeff
Dear Jeff
Congratulations!
I got my CMA designation on 29 June 2009, and my certificate number is 30914. In about one year's time, the number of certificate holders has advanced by 1,688. It speaks volumes for the growth of our institute.
Regards
LAW Man Wah, CMA
Jeff,
Congrats on getting your CMA! Hopefully I will one day be able to join you in this prestigious community! I wrote a recent blog article about adding value with the CMA. You have definitely provided validity to everything I wrote. Thank you!
Hi Jeff,
Congratulations for achieving the CMA designation, and doing so while having so many things going on in your life. Many of us who have studied and worked for this later in our careers can attest to the value, and that it can never be too late to get it. At the same time, we also speak from experience when we are talking to college students and advise them to study and get it now while they have the time and the academic information is so fresh. To those who say they never have the time, you are example that you can make the time for what is important, you did it!
Best regards,
Jim Scott, CMA
Hi All - Thank you so much for your kind comments!
Imagine - just imagine - if we could create a model for CMA Ambassadors around the globe to spread the word about how important CMAs are to career growth, protecting investors and other stakeholders, and, driving business value inside organizations. More CMAs = good for the individual, the organization, the economy, and, society in general.
Feel free to brainstorm ideas in this area!!
Jeff
Congrats Jeff, I started this journey a year ago with the encouragement of my boss. I was really excited at first, and then read an article with some stats that showed lots of gender statistics. It was already looking a little scary when I didn't see very many women participants. Well, I sent in my registration and then had to do it. Now, I too have 1 test to go. I am a full-time accountant, mom, and wife - who thought she would get organized and self-study for the CMA examination. Well, it was truly a frustrating eye opener for myself as well as my family to find real quality time alone to do just that. How many times did I hear "mom - mom - mom" while I was supposed to be left alone. How many times did I say "why didn't I just do this 15 years ago". Well, I passed a section in June, and my kids were waiting for me when I got home with big hugs and a small gift. You would have thought I won the lottery as much celebrating as we did. I can't believe how exciting it was to click the "end" button during the exam and wait suspended in time for the results to pop up. It was such a "chin up" feeling to walk into work then next Monday and announce to my anxious supporters that I had passed. It felt great to be working on a project at work and have something that I learned pop into the conversation. So, with a deep breath and lots of "I love you's" to my family, I am off to conquer the final step to getting my own certificate number. I will be 40 next year, and I can't think of anything more self-rewarding than getting to write my name with three little letters behind it. The value it will bring to my job is small potatoes to the feeling I will have knowing I set my mind to this challenge, and came out on top! So I say to everyone out there, male or female - just do it! Don't hesitate - do it now! And to all of you working moms out there - it is worth the sad faces that you see as you tell them to go ask daddy to help them because mommy needs to study! They will understand, and think you are a hero when it is all over!
Paula,
What an inspiring Post! Once you achieve the CMA (and I know you will!), you should be profiled in Strategic Finance as an encouragement to all working Moms. I just logged in to congratulate Jeff, but what a treat to read your heart-warming story! We have a lot in common--I studied while my first child was napping, was pregnant three out of the five times I sat for the CMA exams (I failed once) and finished the last part 4 days before I went in labor for my second child. The running joke both at the office and at home was "Nina, whatever you do, just don't go into labor during the exam!" Speaking from my experience so far with participating in IMA events, you are making the right investment! It's not just the three letters after you name, but also the networking and leadership opportunities provided by IMA which are so valuable. In my opinion, the gender statistics you saw also reflect a general difference in how men and women value networking. In my experience, women tend to concentrate in just delivering the tasks and do not really actively seek out networking opportunities in comparison with men. It is difficult to find the time to do that while balancing work and kids. My way of being an IMA ambassador is to keep telling other working mothers that networking is so important and IMA provides a great platform to do that. I wish you continued success in your exam.
P.S. Jeff, Congratulations!!!
Jeff-
Congratulations! You never cease to amaze.
You have sparked the memories of all who endured the process and celebrated. I must be ancient, I'm 19240 AND I'm a PC!
Everyday I am grateful for having invested in the CMA credential. It has translated exponentially into personal, professional, and economic gains beyond expectation. It is marvelous belonging to the CMA community - committed, skilled, ethically sound, and individually unique people.
Audra