What Is the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)?
Let me tell you about the Institute of Management Accountants, or IMA as it's commonly known. This organization provides the well-regarded Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation for professionals in finance. Our mission here at IMA is straightforward: we promote education and development in management accounting and finance, push for the highest ethical standards and best business practices, and create a space for research.
Key Takeaways
- The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) offers the prestigious Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation.
- The IMA's mission is to promote education and development in management accounting and finance, the highest ethics and best business practices.
- As of Sept. 21, 2022, the IMA had approximately 140,000 members in 150 countries.
Understanding the IMA
You should know that the IMA is a worldwide membership group for accountants and financial experts working in nonprofits, private companies, public firms, and academia. We marked our 100th anniversary back in 2019. Our vision is clear: we're the top resource for certifying, supporting, growing, and connecting the best financial professionals and accountants globally.
Our core values are integrity and trust, passion, respect, innovation, and continuous improvement. We live these by giving you access to career opportunities, building networks of industry pros, and forging partner connections. We run educational programs to boost your leadership chances and expand your knowledge. Plus, we offer a forum for members through forward-thinking research, industry best practices, newsletters, and journals.
IMA delivers services across the Americas, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and Europe. We have offices in China, Zurich (Switzerland), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Singapore, Dubai (United Arab Emirates), and Cairo (Egypt). As of Sept. 21, 2022, we count about 140,000 members in 150 countries, with over 350 professional and student chapters around the world. You can advance your career by joining one of our local chapters. We're all about raising awareness in the management accounting field.
We run an online training center with educational materials and offer professional education products. As a member, you get career development through local chapters, continuing education, resources, and online communities.
History
Since 1919, IMA has been a key advocate and resource for accounting and financial management professionals. We started in Buffalo, New York, to promote knowledge and professionalism among cost accountants and to broaden understanding of cost accounting's role in management. Originally called the National Association of Cost Accountants, we changed to the National Association of Accountants in 1957, and then to the Institute of Management Accountants in 1991.
Our first chapter formed in Chicago in 1920, and the first annual conference was in Atlantic City. In 1972, we launched the CMA certification program. By 1983, we issued the first U.S. code of ethics for management accountants, called Standards of Ethical Conduct of Management Accountants. We started the Certified Financial Manager program in 1996 but ended it in 2007.
Membership Benefits
Joining IMA gives you benefits like publications, conferences, and research on industry trends and advancements. You also get discounts on business and professional expenses, including office supplies, insurance, rental cars, and training.
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