ZURICH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) announced its increased membership numbers and record-setting growth for its CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) credential in fiscal year (FY) 2014 ending June 30, 2014 this week.
Having just opened two new international offices in Shanghai and Cairo, in addition to existing global branches in Zurich, Dubai and Beijing, IMA has shown impressive growth in members and new candidates, enhancing the organization’s international relevance, as well as highlighting the critical role management accountants play in the global economy.
In FY 2014, IMA’s total membership rose seven percent to 72,921, including well over 10,000 college and university students and young professionals. Outside the U.S., membership grew 23 percent over 2013, reaching nearly 28,000.
“Our increase in numbers—as well as in respect and influence—is a result of the integrity and consistency of this organization,” said Jeff Thomson, CMA, CAE, president and CEO of IMA. “The trust in our organization and in our certification standards is what makes the CMA the leading global management accounting credential. We are proud to be fulfilling our mission to promote the best interests of the profession, and we commit to growing with confidence and integrity.”
The CMA—IMA’s globally recognized, advanced-level credential for accountants and financial professionals in business—has also shown tremendous growth. “The CMA program is one of the fastest-growing accounting certifications in the world,” said Dennis Whitney, CMA, CFM, CAE and ICMA (Institute of Certified Management Accountants) senior vice president. “Not only has it grown at an annualized rate of more than 25 percent for the past five years, but ICMA has also maintained a rigorous exam giving employers confidence that every CMA they hire has met strict standards of excellence. With members and candidates in 140 countries, the CMA program is truly global in enriching organizations and serving the public interest.”
The total number of new CMA candidates reached a record high 14,662 in FY 2014. A record number of new CMA certificates were awarded to worthy management accountants – 3,003 in total. The increase is all the more impressive because of the high standards required to earn this credential. Achieving the CMA requires education, experience and passing a thorough two-part exam. It demonstrates a professional’s expertise in financial planning, analysis, control, decision support and professional ethics – skills that are in high demand by organizations around the world to address the talent gap. In addition, the total number of CMAs is up six percent in FY 2014, and total candidates have increased 19 percent in the past year, now standing at 22,277. To date, more than 43,000 professionals have earned the CMA credential.
To learn more about IMA’s mission, visit: http://www.imanet.org/about_ima/our_mission.aspx. To learn more about the CMA program, visit www.imanet.org/cma.
About IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants)
IMA®, the association of accountants and financial professionals in business, is one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession. Globally, IMA supports the profession through research, the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) program, continuing education, networking and advocacy of the highest ethical business practices. IMA has a global network of more than 70,000 members in 140 countries and 300 professional and student chapters. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., USA, IMA provides localized services through its four global regions: The Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Middle East/Africa. For more information about IMA, please visit www.imanet.org.
