The partnership was formalized by Mark Gold, FCCA, ACCA's senior council member and former global president, and Brian McGuire, PhD, CMA, CPA, IMA chair.

 

"This partnership complements our respective strengths," said McGuire. "Our plans include research collaborations, CFO roundtables, joint chapter events, and the exploration of opportunities to increase awareness and adoption of our respective certifications.

 

"ACCA is one of the world's most respected and influential accounting associations, with nearly 590,000 members and candidates in 170 countries, working through 83 offices and centers. ACCA's mission and history is very similar to IMA's - one of inclusivity, community, and service to the global profession. There are clear synergies between both organizations and I am delighted to be making this announcement today," continued McGuire.

 

Helen Brand, chief executive, ACCA, said, "Both IMA, which is headquartered in the United States, and ACCA have a long history of seeking innovations in finance and accounting, recognizing that a strong global profession needs to innovate to be relevant in a fast-changing world. We have already delivered several tangible products and services to global practitioners, especially in the research and thought leadership areas."

 

Gold added, "Partnerships are essential to ACCA as they help deliver benefits for our members and our students and develop a strong global profession, which brings value to business. By working together, we can share our expertise for the benefit of the global profession."

 

Jeff Thomson, CMA, IMA president and CEO, concluded, "Together, we summarize this exciting new strategic partnership very simply - ACCA and IMA are global bodies empowering accountants and financial professionals to drive business performance."