Remaining Competitive in the Context of an Evolving Profession

The AICPA’s joint venture with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), the world’s largest and leading professional body of management accountants, has been very successful with more than 150,000 finance professionals obtaining the Chartered Global Management Accountant® (CGMA®) designation, including more than 50,000 U.S. CPAs.

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with two of the profession’s leaders to discuss their thoughts on the profession and the evolution of the joint venture between the AICPA and CIMA. Paul Stahlin, CPA, CGMA, is the former chairman of the AICPA’s Board of Directors and Myriam Madden, FCMA, CGMA, is the president of CIMA.

Ash Noah: What are the biggest issues impacting the accounting profession today?

Myriam Madden: We are living in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world. We are navigating a complex environment that is becoming increasingly connected and congested. It’s critical that in this environment we look to continuously refresh our competencies and skills and excel in our customer focus and quality.

AN: In your opinion, how does the joint venture between the AICPA and CIMA address some of the issues you just described?

Paul Stahlin: The AICPA and CIMA have developed the resources and tools members need to perform in an ever-changing and fast-paced world. For example the CGMA Competency Framework and the Global Management Accounting Principles equip finance professionals with the tools to be leaders in business; to be better informed and part of decision-making from beginning to end.

AN: How would you describe your experiences working with your partner organization?

MM: I learned that when partnerships are formed between organizations with a similar strategic direction, the possibilities for enhancing the profession and service to our members are significant. Both CIMA and the AICPA are organizations that have a fierce loyalty to their members and a commitment to excellence and quality in the services they deliver.

PS: It’s been so natural to create an affiliation through the joint venture. The quest to make it better serves as the common language and goal without regard to geography. Passion is not limited to just one organization, and leadership abilities flourish in both.

AN: The AICPA recently introduced a proposal to evolve its joint venture with CIMA to create a new association while continuing to operate the membership bodies our communities have long trusted. Why do you support this proposal?

PS: The profession has evolved, our clients have evolved, and the world around us has evolved. What the AICPA and CIMA are proposing is the next logical step in this evolution. The creation of a new association—in addition to the AICPA and CIMA—of more than 600,000 accounting professionals will provide a broader platform to strengthen and promote the CPA in the U.S. and globally, as well as grow and promote the entire accounting profession for the next generation.

MM: For me, the overall aim of deepening the joint venture is to allow us to do what we do…better. And, simply put, that is to deliver better services for our members.

Our goal is to create and support world-leading finance professionals who are respected and in demand, and who create true value for the organizations in which they work. The deepening of the joint venture accelerates our strategy for greater influence of the management accounting profession. Together, we can promote the profession and build greater market recognition to bring our members the reputation, reach, and resources to help them go further.

To learn more and share your feedback on the AICPA/CIMA proposal to evolve the joint venture, please visit:

AICPA members: www.aicpa.org/horizons

CIMA members: www.cimaglobal.com/vision

Ash Noah, CPA, FCMA, CGMA, Vice President – External Relations and Management Accounting, American Institute of CPAs.

Remaining Competitive in the Context of an Evolving Profession

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