DUBAI, United Arab
Emirates, Oct. 25, 2016 – (ME NewsWire): IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants), the association of
accountants and financial professionals in business announced a record-breaking
growth of its flagship certification, the CMA® (Certified Management
Accountant) credential in fiscal year (FY) 2016, ending June 30.
The premier global management
accounting certification reached a milestone of 50,000 holders since the
program was created in 1972. In FY 2016, 3,838 CMAs earned the credential; a
record number for any fiscal year. In addition, 18,761 new candidates enrolled
in the program – a 20% jump from 2015 – which brings the number of candidates
who chose to join the program in the past five years to 70,000.
"This rise in numbers –
as well as respect and influence – confirms that the CMA continues to be the
leading global management accounting credential in the world," said Jeff
Thomson, CMA, CAE, president and CEO of IMA. "For more than 40 years, we
have been building a professional certification program that is a true
reflection of the global management accounting profession. We pride ourselves
in providing a certification that represents credibility and competence in all
of the most crucial management accounting skill sets."
The CMA's growth is all the
more impressive due to its rigorous testing methodology and high standards to
earn the credential, which, assures CMA employers on the mastery every
certificate holder has in all areas of management accounting. This was
significantly reflected in the global salary survey conducted by IMA for the
second consecutive year, combining the global salary survey of its members for
the year 2015, with a detailed report examining the responses of members
located in the Middle East/Africa (MEA) region. Key findings indicated an
increase in the number of CMA credential respondents compared to the previous
year, with CMAs in MEA earning 37% more in median
salary than their non-CMA counterparts. Globally, the median base salary and
total compensation is 61% higher for CMAs over non-CMAs and CMAs of all ages
earn more than non-CMAs. The findings also suggested that those aged 30-39
receive the greatest premium, with a median salary 50% greater than their
non-CMA peers.
Not only does this analysis
include comparisons to last year’s survey results, but it also incorporates the
results from previous salary surveys that were focused only on MEA members. For
more information on each region, visit http://www.imanet.org/insights-and-trends/salary-surveys.
“It was truly moving to meet
this remarkable number of IMA members and CMA candidates from various cities in
the Middle East, and to share with them CMA study tips and strategies,” said
Ella Suponitskiy commenting on the tour. “I feel that the CMA program offers so
many rewards to candidates worldwide and in the Middle East particularly, and I
am confident that with the right amount of preparation and practice, these
candidates can earn the CMA certification in record time”.