IMA Opens European Office; New Global Regional Structure Delivers CMA Certification and Localized Member Benefits

MONTVALE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In line with its mission to serve the global profession, IMA^®, the association for accountants and financial professionals in business, announces the opening of its first European satellite office in Zurich, Switzerland. With this new addition, IMA moves to a global regional structure to improve the local delivery of member benefits and services including IMA’s Certified Management Accountant (CMA^®) certification program. With staff in each office, IMA’s operations now span four global regions: The Americas (Montvale, N.J.), Asia/Pacific (Beijing), Europe (Zurich), and the Middle East/Africa (Dubai).

New European Office

IMA’s new European office, led by Nina Michels-Kim, CMA, IMA director of European operations, will oversee local membership development, provide oversight of the CMA program in the region, deliver exam preparation through IMA’s network of review course providers, initiate local corporate development and alliance partnership activities, and expand IMA’s European chapter base. Previously, Ms. Michels-Kim worked as a controller for both Novartis and Merck & Co. and was a co-founding member of IMA’s Swiss Chapter. She currently serves on the Board as the chapter’s secretary.

“Through her volunteer leadership, Nina has a demonstrated drive to further our profession in Europe. We’re pleased to have her accept this important position,” said Sandra B. Richtermeyer, Ph.D., CMA, CPA, IMA Chair. “She led a comprehensive study regarding the needs of accounting and finance professionals in the region which led IMA to establish a local presence there. Switzerland is an ideal central location, with a strong presence of multinational corporations that benefit from the CMA program.”

New Global Regional Structure

More than 25 percent of IMA’s membership currently hails outside of North America, due to the need to build the skills and capabilities of accountants and financial professionals around the world and the growing demand for the CMA program. Outside North America, IMA currently has 16 international chapters on its roster, with additional chapters under development. IMA’s regional structure is designed to help align the association’s operations with its worldwide chapter network.

“As business continues to expand globally, so too must the skills of professionals working in business. Through our new global regional structure, IMA can increase its flexibility in delivering member benefits tailored to the local language and culture,” said Jeff Thomson, CMA, IMA president and CEO. “It’s the work done on the local level that has delivered the IMA member experience for more than 90 years.”

About IMA^®

IMA^®, the association for accountants and financial professionals in business, provides a forum for research, practice development, education, knowledge sharing, and advocacy of the highest ethical and best business practices. 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. With a network of more than 60,000 members in 120 countries, IMA provides localized services through its offices in Montvale, N.J., USA; Zurich, Switzerland; Dubai, UAE; and Beijing, China. For more information about IMA, please visit www.imanet.org.

IMA
Marc Gerrone, 201-474-1502
[email protected]
or
Stern + Associates
Tara Baumgarten, 908-276-4344, ext. 219
[email protected]

Source: IMA