IMA® Collaborates with The Financial Academy to Bridge the Skills Gap in the Profession

 IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) and Saudi Arabia’s Financial Academy have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in an effort to further the professional initiatives for both organizations. As part of the collaboration, The Financial Academy and IMA will create awareness of the importance of skills development and the need for the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) certification through seminars, workshops, conferences and research initiatives.

The MoU was signed by Hanadi Khalife, IMA’s senior director of Middle East & India Operations, and Mr. Mana Al Khamsan, The Director General of the Financial Academy. The partnership will advance the Academy’s objectives to promote professional development of its members in the finance and accounting professions. IMA and The Financial Academy will jointly promote IMA membership and resources, including its CMA certification, and The Financial Academy’s programs.

“We are continuously investing our global network, knowledge, and expertise to inform the future of the finance and accounting profession in every country that we operate in by helping well-established institutions such as the Financial Academy to provide a holistic approach to education,” said Khalife. “CMAs can be important constituents in the re-shaping of the new economy of the Kingdom as the country enters this fundamental era of diversification from an oil-reliant economy and onto becoming a pivot for global trade and finance. This is a historical moment for the region, and we are excited to be able to contribute to its progress.”

“Our agreement with IMA comes as part of the academy’s ambitious focus on implementing Vision 2030 – the economic plan that will confirm the Kingdom's status as an economic and investment powerhouse and as a central hub connecting three continents,” said Mr. AlKhamsan,  Direcetor General of the The Financial Academy. “We believe our goals will be achieved through the support of the world’s leading finance and accounting minds including CMAs. Our partnership with IMA is a step in that direction.”

The CMA program will be directed specifically at students who enrol for specific programs at the Financial Academy KSA. Many of these students will then go on and serve in companies and be associated with accounting and finance, governance, compliance, and internal audit functions both in the private sector and the government.

ABOUT IMA® (INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANTS)

IMA®, named the 2017 and 2018 Professional Body of the Year by The Accountant/International Accounting Bulletin, is one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession. Globally, IMA supports the profession through research, the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) program, continuing education, networking and advocacy of the highest ethical business practices. IMA has a global network of more than 125,000 members in 150 countries and 300 professional and student chapters. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., USA, IMA provides localized services through its four global regions: The Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Middle East/India. For more information about IMA, please visit www.imanet.org.