IMA Members,

In 2011, IMA delivered on exciting opportunities for growth, influence, and member value. To see the ways in which our achievements were visible across the organization – and around the world – take a moment to view my recent video.

In March, we opened our first European office in Zurich, Switzerland. We now operate across four regions, with offices in the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East. In September, we launched the IMA Speakers Bureau, which allows IMA to promote its broad array of thought leadership for accounting and finance professionals in business and industry. Our Leadership Academy programs continue to grow and flourish.  To keep pace with the needs of our evolving profession, and to increase our offerings in our newer global markets, in October, we announced plans for translating our CMA exam into Simplified Chinese. Finally, in 2011, we set a record for the highest number of new CMA certificates awarded in any year, proving that the CMA has never been more valuable or relevant.

As we begin 2012, I’m thrilled at what’s to come. This year, IMAis celebrating a landmark event: the 40^th anniversary of the CMA credential, the paragon of management accounting and financial certification.  The CMA continues to deliver tangible value – through real on-the-job relevance, employer recognition, and high ROI.  To date, more than 35,000 CMA certificates have been awarded – by passing a rigorous, focused, and relevant exam – including prominent CEOs, CFOs, and controllers around the world. We will address the competitive challenges head on with confidence and smart strategies, and we will express concerns about other accounting associations who do not certify competency with an exam.    CONTINUED --->

 Hi All - After trips over the past few months to U.S. chapters and last month to the Middle East, earlier this month I visited China where IMA has doubled its membership each of the past two years, with exponential growth in CMA exam candidates.  Why this growth?  We have a great staff and partners who give us a local view into the market rather than a Montvale, N.J. view of local needs.  IMA has translated many of its publications into Simplified Chinese, as well as the 4-part exam.  The 2-part exam is in the process of being translated.  While we are trying to find the right balance between local service innovation and shared service support from the head office, in any event we must have an unwavering focus on delivering a greater volume of relevant local services that enrich careers, organizations and societies/economies.  Finally, IMA as a non-profit with a clear societal mission has been in China for several years building and nurturing relationships and relationship management is key to success (e.g., governmental agencies and other valued partners).

But, the big "aha" is the central government and MNC emphasis in China on talent development ....

 Hi All,

A recent blog by a senior executive at the AICPA was titled "Management Accountants: The People Businesses Need Now More Than Ever". We agree! IMA - THE INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANTS - is pleased to remain as one of the most respected and largest associations focused exclusively on advancing the science of management accounting globally.

The CMA has been the gold standard for certifying competence in management accounting for nearly 40 years, with over 35,000 professionals certified to date. In the past two years the CMA has experienced a record number of candidates and the program is growing exponentially around the globe. (IMA as you may know has offices and staff in Montvale N.J., Zurich, Beijing, Dubai, and coming soon, Cairo! ) The ICMA, the body that manages the entire exam process, believes that the most appropriate way to prove competence in management accounting is to sit for a rigorous, focused exam that addresses the skills and knowledge needed to create and grow great organizations.

With its vibrant network of over 200 chapters around the world, IMA is proving and will continue to prove that with agility, service and community, it can raise the bar by further enriching careers, organizations and societies.

Thanks!

    Jeff

Hi All - We had two wonderful keynote addresses during our fourth day at IMA's 92nd Annual Conference and Exposition in Orlando, Florida.  One talk was from the CEO of a Motorola spin-off, and the other was a Senior Vice President of Operations at a healthcare company.  Both talks highlighted the need for the management accountant/CMA to step up as trusted business advisor in helping to protect investors while driving business performance.  What a tribute to our profession, and to our CMAs!  Just line up the competencies identified by the CEO and Senior Vice President for the management accountant to step up as trusted business advisor: financial planning and analysis; risk management and internal controls; and, decision support.  Guess what is fundamentally tested on the CMA exam:  financial planning and analysis; risk management and internal controls; and, decision support!!

IMA and its gold standard certification, the CMA, are up to the challenge of expanding our influence worldwide.  More CMAs simply means that careers, organizations, economies and societies and economies are enriched.

Thanks,

   Jeff