The IMA — Institute of Management Accountants — is the global professional association that owns and administers the CMA certification. Founded in 1919, it has hundreds of thousands of members and CMAs across more than 150 countries. The IMA does three big things: it sets the standards for management accountants (including the ethics code CMAs are held to), it grants the CMA designation through the Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA), and it supports members with research, networking, magazines like Strategic Finance, and continuing education. When you sit for the CMA exam, register for it, pay your fees, or submit your work experience, you’re doing all of that through the IMA. It’s also the organization behind local chapters around the world, which are a great resource once you earn your credential.
