Institute of Management Accountants

Institute of Management Accountants is a professional organization headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey more than 60,000 professionals worldwide. The IMA vision is to be the leading resource for developing, certifying, connecting, and supporting the world’s best accountants and financial professionals working in business.


IMA is a collective voice for professionals around the world who work in business, distinct from public accounting.


With a network of more than 60,000 professionals, IMA provides best-in-class certification, the Certified Management Accountant (CMA®), for critical internal financial management responsibilities, including planning, budgeting, business reporting, decision analysis, and risk management. Members can achieve career development through access to an active professional community, continuing education, valuable information, and resources.


Recognizing that the roles of in-house professionals (which include CFOs and controllers) are distinct from the functions of auditing and financial reporting, IMA raises awareness of management accountants, who serve in key decision support, planning, and control positions.


IMA is committed to protecting business and society by assuring that accounting and finance professionals are ethically sound and appropriately qualified to work in business. IMA believes the organization is well positioned to uphold stakeholder confidence by working with organizations of all types and sizes to better understand the accounting process and the important contribution of management accountants.


IMA also awards the (CMA) Certified Management Accountant designation. CMA - IMA®'s (Institute of Management Accountants) certification for accountants and financial professionals in business. This globally recognized certification tests mastery of advanced accounting and financial management knowledge in four critical areas: financial planning, analysis, control, and decision support.


The CMA designation differs significantly from the CPA. The CPA targets public accounting and tests the knowledge required for public practice. The CMA focuses on internal requirements and targets corporate financial professionals. It has a broader industry related content.