Hi All,
I just returned back from a trip to IMA's Middle East Region. IMA has over 8,000 members in the region (13 countries), and the CMA program is growing in stature and relevance. While the exam remains rigorous and focused, pass rates in the region are improving thanks to an expanding network of approved review course providers, more localized services and better prepared candidates.
IMA's VP of International Business Operations, James Gurowka and I visited with members, corporations/CFOs, universities, review course providers and other partners. What is truly inspiring, though, and once again shows the power and influence of the IMA, is our growing network of local chapters that allows members to connect, engage and grow.....
IMA launched the Cairo chapter which is poised to do great things in the region with active support from IMA Global. The new Abu Dhabi chapter held an event that covered ethics (I had the honor to deliver that session) and management accounting best practices from a fellow CMA. And, at the well established Dubai chapter, we had another ethics session that followed a well attended CFO panel.
Also, IMA signed an exclusive partnership with the U.K.-based Manchester Business School, one of the world's most prestigious MBA programs, to actively cross-promote their MBA and the gold-standard CMA in the region.
No other accounting association in the world can deliver the "one-two punch" of global and local services to enrich careers, organizations, economies and societies. IMA and its certification affiliate, the ICMA, also firmly believe that the best means to certify competency is to study and pass a rigorous and focused exam. The hundreds of members and employers in the region confirmed that. I raise this topic because as the accounting association environment is trending toward consolidation, it is important that we avoid the temptation to "increase our numbers" by awarding certifications without certifying actual competency with an exam process (combined with experience and appropriate pre-requisite qualifications).
Again, let's work together to grow our profession and our association. Whether it be football, rugby or cricket, as the saying goes, "this is our game to win". Thanks,
Jeff