Jeff Thomson, the former president and CEO of the Institute of Management Accountants, has become a senior strategic advisor to Competent Boards, a Toronto-based provider of online environmental, social, governance and climate education programs for board directors and business leaders.
Thomson retired in March after leading the IMA for nearly 15 years. During his tenure, he led strategy development, which resulted in double-digit growth in its Certified Management Accountant program, and more than 140,000 members in 150 countries and 350 professional and student chapters. Previously, he was financial director and CFO of business sales for AT&T.
He will be working part-time with Competent Boards, providing strategic guidance on growth opportunities and business development. He will be working with Helle Bank Jorgensen, Competent Boards' founder and CEO, and author of the book, "
"She is a female innovator, pioneer and entrepreneur who founded this company that essentially trains, educates and certifies board members, boards and aspiring board members around the world to step up to their opportunity and obligation to provide oversight and foresight for companies of any size and structure anywhere in the world," Thomson told Accounting Today at the IMA's conference Monday in Minneapolis.
"Jeff is a renowned industry veteran who thoughtfully guided strategy for many years, helping position organizations for continued and long-term success," said Jorgensen in a statement. "We are thrilled to have him join our team."
Thomson sees the company as a natural progression of his work with the IMA. "I'm in a position where I could kind of pick where I think I could make the most difference in our profession," he said. "This is actually my first opportunity to do that and make a difference. I've been a CEO, I've been a CFO, and I've been a board member. And I think I can help Competent Boards increase its relevance and influence and make a greater difference in society and our shared resources."
