Institute of Management Accountants

What Institute of Management Accountants does

The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) is a New Jersey-incorporated, non-profit professional membership association founded in 1919 and headquartered at 10 Paragon Drive, Montvale, NJ. It serves approximately 140,000 accounting and finance professionals across 150 countries, organized through 350 professional and student chapters and six regional offices in the United States, China, the Middle East/Africa (Dubai), India, Europe (Amsterdam), and Asia Pacific (Singapore). IMA's primary constituency is working professionals in accounting, financial management, FP&A, controllership, treasury, and corporate finance, supplemented by student, academic, and corporate-employer segments.

IMA's core products are three professional certifications — the CMA (Certified Management Accountant), CSCA (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis), and FMAA (Financial and Managerial Accounting Associate) — administered through its wholly-owned subsidiary ICMA. These sit atop a portfolio of more than 1,200 continuing professional education (CPE) courses and 70+ annual webinars, plus specialized certificate programs in Data Analytics & Visualization, Cybersecurity, FP&A, Sustainability, and three COSO-aligned risk and control programs. The product architecture is governed by IMA's ten-domain Competency Framework (expanded in 2025 from six domains) and surfaced through Strategic Finance Magazine, Management Accounting Quarterly, the Count Me In podcast, the myIMA Network community platform, and the IMA Career Center job board.

The business model rests on three revenue pillars: recurring membership dues from ~140,000 members, one-time certification and exam fees (CMA, CSCA, FMAA), and one-time CPE course and certificate program fees (NASBA-recognized, priced $95–$2,279). Distribution combines a self-serve web platform (imanet.org and enterprise.imaglobal.org), regional offices and chapters, academic partnerships with universities such as Maastricht, Audencia, IESEG, Lucerne, KIMEP, and Kazakh Free American University, corporate membership programs for employer-paid team upskilling, and — as of January 2026 — a reseller channel via the CPA Crossings (CPAx) network of state CPA societies.

Name

Institute of Management Accountants

Legal name

Institute of Management Accountants, Inc.

Website

https://imanet.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) is a global non-profit professional association founded in 1919, serving ~140,000 accounting and finance professionals across 150 countries through CMA, CSCA, and FMAA certifications, 1,200+ CPE courses, and a network of 350 chapters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Accounting Certifications and Membership

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Finance, Accounting & Risk (CFA/CPA/FRM) Certifications (EDAAANAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Institutional & Programmatic Accreditation Audits (EDADAGAA)

Keywords

• Professional certifications
• Management accounting
• Continuing professional education
• Financial management credentials
• Accounting association

Headquarters

HQ city

Montvale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: IMA generates revenue through annual membership dues from its approximately 140,000 members worldwide. Membership provides access to certifications (CMA, CSCA, FMAA), continuing education courses, webinars, publications, career resources, and networking opportunities through professional and student chapters.
2. Certification and Exam Fees: Revenue is generated from enrollment and exam fees for professional certifications including the CMA (Certified Management Accountant), CSCA (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis), and FMAA (Financial and Managerial Accounting Associate) programs.
3. Continuing Education and Certificate Programs: IMA offers over 1,200 CPE courses, certificate programs, and micro-credentials available for purchase. Certificate programs range from approximately $95 to $2,279 for members, with pricing varying by program depth and NASBA CPE credits offered.
4. Webinars and Events: IMA hosts more than 70 live webinars annually and annual conferences. While many webinars are free for members as a benefit, conference attendance and some premium events generate revenue through registration fees.
5. Publications: IMA publishes Strategic Finance Magazine and the Management Accounting Quarterly journal. Subscription and advertising revenue is generated from these professional publications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IMA is a professional membership association that provides globally recognized certifications (CMA, CSCA, FMAA), a portfolio of over 1,200 continuing professional education (CPE) courses and webinars, certificate programs, and career resources for accounting and finance professionals. It operates a 10-domain Management Accounting Competency Framework, publishes Strategic Finance Magazine and Management Accounting Quarterly, and runs the myIMA Network community platform across 350 chapters in 150 countries.

Product overview

IMA is a professional association offering a comprehensive portfolio of professional certifications (CMA, CSCA, FMAA), over 1,200 continuing education courses and webinars, certificate programs, research publications, and career resources. The certifications serve as the core credential offerings at various career stages, while the certificate programs (Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, FP&A, Sustainability, COSO frameworks) provide specialized micro-credentials. The IMA Competency Framework with ten domains underpins all educational offerings, ensuring alignment with industry skill requirements. The organization also publishes Strategic Finance Magazine and Management Accounting Quarterly, and operates the myIMA Network community platform and IMA Career Center job board.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Strategic Finance Magazine: IMA's flagship publication providing insights on accounting, finance, and business strategy
• Management Accounting Quarterly
• Count Me In Podcast
• IMA Global Awards
• CMA (Certified Management Accountant)
• FMAA (Financial and Managerial Accounting Associate)
• CSCA (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis)

Products and services

• CMA (Certified Management Accountant) IMA's premier professional certification validating mastery of accounting and financial management. Requires 30 CPE credits annually to maintain active designation.
• CSCA (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis) Professional certification expanding strategic planning skills and enhancing analytical ability for accounting and finance professionals.
• FMAA (Financial and Managerial Accounting Associate)
• IMA Continuing Education (1,200+ Courses and Webinars)
• IMA Data Analytics & Visualization Fundamentals Certificate
• IMA Cybersecurity & Data Practices Certificate
• IMA Financial Planning & Analysis Certificate
• IMA Sustainability Business Practices Certificate
• Data Literacy for Finance Professionals First pathway in AI in Finance Micro-credential teaching how to manage, analyze, and prepare financial data for AI-driven environments, providing 4 NASBA CPE credits.
• COSO Fraud Risk Management Certificate Program
• COSO Enterprise Risk Management Certificate
• COSO Internal Control-Integrated Framework Certificate
• Strategic Finance Magazine
• Management Accounting Quarterly

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CPA Crossings (CPAx)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 January 2026CPA Crossings, a continuing education provider for accounting and finance professionals, partnered with IMA to deliver courses and certifications to learners worldwide. CPAx's distribution partner network—including state certified public accountant societies—gains access to the combined educational catalogs of both organizations, covering AI, cybersecurity, data analytics, financial planning, leadership, robotic process automation, and sustainability. Both organizations agreed to share information on industry trends to regularly update and refine their educational offerings. Discounted rates are available through this partnership.
• Asso ControllerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAsso Controller is an Italian professional organization that partners with IMA to support the CMA program and develop the management accounting profession in Italy.
• Audencia Business SchoolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAudencia Business School in France partners with IMA to support the CMA program and develop the management accounting profession, providing academic pathways for students.
• Bucharest University of Economic StudiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBucharest University of Economic Studies in Romania partners with IMA to support the CMA program and develop the management accounting profession in the region.
• EMEA RecruitmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEMEA Recruitment is a Europe-wide recruitment firm that partners with IMA to support career placement for CMA holders and promote the management accounting profession across Europe.
• IESEG School of ManagementminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIESEG School of Management in France partners with IMA to support the CMA program and develop the management accounting profession through academic collaboration.
• IKAF (International Knowledge and Skills Foundation)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerIKAF in Kosovo partners with IMA to support the CMA program and develop the management accounting profession in Kosovo and the broader Balkans region.
• International Group of ControllingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe International Group of Controlling (IGC) is a global professional organization that collaborates with IMA on developing and promoting management accounting and controlling best practices worldwide.
• Kazakh Free American UniversityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKazakh Free American University in Kazakhstan partners with IMA to support the CMA program and develop management accounting education in Central Asia.
• KIMEP UniversityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKIMEP University in Kazakhstan partners with IMA to support the CMA program and develop the management accounting profession in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
• Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and ArtsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Switzerland partners with IMA to support the CMA program and develop the management accounting profession in Switzerland.
• Maastricht UniversityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMaastricht University in the Netherlands offers a Master in International Business with a Controlling track and partners with IMA to support the CMA program and management accounting education in the Netherlands.
• NEOMA Business SchoolminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNEOMA Business School in France partners with IMA to support the CMA program and develop the management accounting profession through academic collaboration with students and faculty.
• DeloittecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMA and Deloitte's Center for Controllership conducted a global survey of more than 900 finance and accounting professionals to gain insights into emerging technologies and their impact on controllership. This collaboration produced the research report 'Next-Gen Controllership: Harnessing AI and Emerging Technologies to Transform Finance and Accounting' published in 2024.
• COSO (Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMA partnered with COSO to study best practices for integrating RPA governance requirements with the COSO Internal Control Integrated Framework (ICIF). The resulting guide helps organizations maximize RPA benefits and minimize risks. IMA also offers COSO certificate programs including Fraud Risk Management, Enterprise Risk Management, and Internal Control-Integrated Framework certificates.
• Gleim Exam PrepminorOthersGleim Exam Prep is a recognized CMA exam preparation provider that works with IMA to help candidates prepare for the CMA certification exam.
• SurgentminorOthersSurgent is a recognized CMA exam preparation provider that works with IMA to help candidates prepare for the CMA certification exam.
• BeckerminorOthersBecker is a recognized CMA exam preparation provider that works with IMA to help candidates prepare for the CMA certification exam through comprehensive review courses.
• UWorld AccountingminorOthersUWorld Accounting is a recognized CMA exam preparation provider that works with IMA to help candidates prepare for the CMA certification exam through adaptive learning technology.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants): The U.S. national professional association for CPAs, offering the CPA credential, CPE, and member services. Directly comparable to IMA as the dominant U.S. accounting credentialing body with overlapping membership audiences (finance and accounting professionals) and overlapping product categories (certifications, CPE, publications).
• CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants): The U.K.-based global professional body for management accountants, offering the CGMA designation. The closest international peer to IMA — same target profession (management accounting), same credentialing model, similar CPE and member services — competing head-to-head in non-U.S. markets.
• ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants): A global body for chartered certified accountants with strong presence in EMEA and Asia. Comparable to IMA in offering a globally recognized accounting credential, structured CPE, and student/professional membership tiers, with overlapping target audiences in finance and accounting careers.
• CPA Canada (Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada): Canada's national accounting body, uniting the country's provincial CPA bodies. Comparable to IMA as a national professional association offering the CPA credential, mandatory CPE, member services, and thought-leadership publications for accounting and finance professionals.
• IIA (Institute of Internal Auditors): The global professional association for internal auditors, offering the CIA (Certified Internal Auditor) credential and CPE programs. Comparable as a globally scoped accounting/finance membership body with similar certification-plus-CPE-plus-chapter operating model and a heavily overlapping member base.
• CFA Institute: Global professional association for investment professionals offering the CFA charter. Comparable to IMA as a globally recognized finance credential with mandatory continuing education, member chapters, publications, and a similar non-profit governance structure serving finance professionals.

Broad incumbents

• PMI (Project Management Institute): The leading global association for project management professionals, offering the PMP certification and similar member/CPE infrastructure. Comparable to IMA as a global, chapter-based, certification-anchored professional membership body — and notably the prior employer of IMA's current CEO, indicating a shared operating DNA.

Regional players

• IMA Europe / IMA Asia Pacific (regional arms): These are IMA's own regional sub-organizations rather than external peers, but IMA effectively competes with CIMA, ACCA, and local CPA bodies across these geographies with a comparable (though less localized) product set.

Others

• Becker Professional Education: A major U.S. exam preparation provider for CPA, CMA, and CFA candidates, including CMA review courses listed as an IMA-affiliated prep provider. Comparable as part of IMA's commercial ecosystem and a potential substitute pathway for the same certification dollar.

Emerging players

• Coursera: A leading online learning platform offering professional certificates and degrees from universities and companies in finance, data analytics, and business. Comparable as a competing channel for the same upskilling budget IMA targets with its certificate programs, particularly on emerging topics like AI and data analytics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ima_news
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/LinkUpIMA
• Facebookfacebook.com/imanetorg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ima-institute-of-management-accountants
• Instagraminstagram.com/imaglobal
• TikToktiktok.com/@ima_global

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Institute of Management Accountants