Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)

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Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)

The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) is a global association for management accounting and finance professionals. It promotes education, ethics, research, and professional development, and is best known for the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) credential.

What the IMA does

  • Certifies and supports finance professionals through the CMA designation.
  • Promotes high ethical standards and best business practices.
  • Provides education, continuing professional development, and research resources.
  • Connects members through local chapters, online communities, publications, conferences, and journals.

Core values and mission

IMA’s work centers on integrity, trust, respect, innovation, passion, and continuous improvement. The association seeks to advance the management accounting profession by expanding professional knowledge, increasing leadership opportunities, and fostering networks among practitioners and academics.

Certifications and professional programs

  • Certified Management Accountant (CMA): IMA’s flagship credential for financial planning, analysis, control, decision support and professional ethics.
  • The association has developed other education programs and professional resources over time to meet changing industry needs.

Global presence and services

IMA serves members across the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific. It operates an online training center and offers professional education products, webinars, and career-development resources. The organization maintains offices in locations including Zurich, Amsterdam, Singapore, Dubai, Cairo and China, and supports hundreds of professional and student chapters worldwide to facilitate local networking and learning.

Membership benefits

Members gain access to:
* CMA exam resources and continuing education.
* Local chapter events and networking.
* Industry research, newsletters and journals.
* Discounts on professional products and services.
* Online communities and career resources.

Brief history and milestones

  • Founded in 1919 in Buffalo, New York, originally as the National Association of Cost Accountants.
  • Renamed the National Association of Accountants in 1957; became the Institute of Management Accountants in 1991.
  • Launched the CMA certification in 1972.
  • Issued the first U.S. Standards of Ethical Conduct for management accountants in 1983.
  • Has continued expanding its international footprint and professional offerings through the 20th and 21st centuries.

Key points

  • IMA is a leading global association for management accountants and financial professionals.
  • The CMA is the organization’s primary professional credential.
  • IMA provides education, ethical guidance, research, networking, and career resources through chapters and global offices.