Seven universities receive IMA endorsement

The Institute of Management Accountants announced that seven more colleges and universities received the IMA higher education endorsement, which recognizes programs whose curricula excellence best prepares students for the Certified Management Accountant credential.

The IMA's higher education endorsement program is an assessment of advanced accounting and financial management knowledge in four fields: analysis, financial planning, control and decision support. To be eligible for an endorsement, a program must cover the CMA exam in depth, have reliable faculty resources, receive accreditation from a recognized organization and count a faculty member who's been recognized as an IMA Campus Advocate. So far, more than 100 colleges and universities worldwide have received the IMA distinction.

"High-quality educational programs like those at these endorsed institutions help future management accountants achieve their career goals and meet the competency expectations of today's employers," said Loreal Jiles, IMA vice president of research and thought leadership, in a statement. "Programs earning IMA endorsement can contribute to curtailing the decline in accountancy program enrollments by raising student awareness of the breadth of career opportunities available within accounting, featuring management accounting roles across industries."

Since July 2022, the following schools from six countries have earned the distinction:

· Iowa State University (United States);

·  Gulf University for Science and Technology (Kuwait);

·   Instituto Tecnológico de Mexico (Mexico);

·   NOVA School of Business and Economics (Portugal);

·   Rafik Hariri University (Lebanon);

·   University of Doha for Science & Technology (Qatar); and

·   George Mason University (United States).

"We are honored to receive this endorsement," stated Brad Trinkle, chair of the accounting department at Iowa State University. "It truly sets us apart, given the small number who receive this designation. The endorsement testifies to the quality of the management accounting curriculum of the department of accounting. It supports that the curriculum and education provided by the department of accounting meet the stringent criteria set forth by the IMA to provide students seeking to work in management accounting with the education and skill set necessary to have a successful career and be leaders in the profession."