Institute of Management Consultants

What Institute of Management Consultants does

Institute of Management Consultants USA, Inc. (IMC USA) is a private nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 1968 and incorporated in New York, with operational headquarters in Washington, DC. It is the sole U.S. member institute of the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (ICMCI/CMC-Global), a federation of 50 country institutes, and functions as the only ISO-accredited certifying body for management consultants in the United States. Its core mission is to promote competence, ethics, and standardized practice in management consulting through professional certification, education, community building, and disciplinary oversight via an Enforceable Code of Ethics.

IMC USA's product portfolio centers on the Certified Management Consultant (CMC®) certification, a registered trademark awarded only after client satisfaction surveys, written and oral examinations, and a panel interview by senior CMCs. Complementary offerings include the CMC Firm Certification (for consulting practices), an education stack comprising QuickStart (introductory on-demand), Mastering Management Consulting (13-session fundamentals), and ISO 20700 training (internationally standardized consulting guidelines). Distribution also runs through the public Find a Consultant directory, which attracts over 10,000 monthly users, plus annual Consult-Con conferences, regional chapters, Communities of Interest (including a Consulting AI discussion group), and a Consultant Portal for member self-service. The organization is volunteer-run with an elected board and has a wholly-owned 501(c)(3) subsidiary, the IMC USA Foundation, focused on education and research.

Revenue is generated through four streams: annual membership dues (CMC Candidate $345, Student $45, International Associate $125), CMC certification and triennial recertification fees ($150–$550 depending on member status), education/training program fees (QuickStart $297–$327), and referral-based value from the AON professional liability insurance partnership. Pricing is fully transparent on imcusa.org with member and non-member tiers. The organization does not disclose financial figures and operates without venture capital or parent-company backing; control rests with the membership through voting rights and board governance.

Name

Institute of Management Consultants

Legal name

Institute of Management Consultants USA, Inc.

Website

https://imcusa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The Institute of Management Consultants USA (IMC USA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 1968 that certifies management consultants via the CMC® designation, delivers training (QuickStart, MMC, ISO 20700), and operates the Find a Consultant directory serving solo practitioners, consulting firms, and internal consultants across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Certification Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Management Consulting Services (54161)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Management consulting certification
• Professional membership association
• Consultant credentialing programs
• Professional development training
• Consulting ethics standards

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Lauderdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from various categories including CMC Candidate ($345/year), Student ($45/year), and International Associate ($125/year). Members receive access to resources, directories, education discounts, and community networking.
2. CMC Certification Fees: Initial certification application and assessment fees (Member $350, Non-Member $550), annual CMC charges (Member $445, Non-Member $550), and triennial recertification fees (Member $150, Non-Member $250).
3. Education and Training Programs: Revenue from educational programs including QuickStart training (Member $297, Non-Member $327), Mastering Management Consulting (MMC), and ISO 20700 training courses.
4. Insurance Partner Referral: AON provides professional liability insurance discounts to IMC USA members and CMCs. While the revenue model is not explicitly stated, this partnership generates referral value through member discounts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

IMC USA is the U.S. certifying body for management consultants, awarding the Certified Management Consultant (CMC®) designation through a rigorous process of application, client satisfaction surveys, competency and ethics examinations, and panel interview. It also delivers structured education (QuickStart, Mastering Management Consulting, ISO 20700 training), operates a public Consultant Directory, and administers CMC Firm Certification for consulting practices, all under an enforceable Code of Ethics.

Product overview

IMC USA offers a portfolio of professional services centered on its flagship Certified Management Consultant (CMC®) certification—the gold standard credential for management consultants. The organization provides structured training pathways through QuickStart (introductory), Mastering Management Consulting (MMC) fundamentals, and ISO 20700 guidelines training. Additional offerings include a searchable Consultant Directory connecting clients with certified professionals, CMC Firm Certification for consulting practices, and regular events including the annual Consult-Con conference and monthly discussion groups. Education and certification services are delivered through the Academy division, all unified under the organization's mission of promoting excellence and ethics in management consulting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certified Management Consultant (CMC®) Certification Flagship credential for individual management consultants, awarded after client satisfaction surveys, written and oral competency and ethics examinations, and a panel interview by senior CMCs. Recognized internationally under ICMCI standards as the gold standard for management consulting competence and ethics.
• CMC Firm Certification Certification program for consulting firms, administered jointly by IMC USA and ICMCI, awarding the Certified Management Consultant Firm™ designation to firms meeting standards for commitment to professional code of conduct, ethics adherence, and professional practice processes.
• QuickStart Training Program Online on-demand interactive training program that teaches the essentials of building a successful consulting practice, covering the consulting process and ethics. Available to IMC USA members and non-members at differentiated pricing.
• Mastering Management Consulting (MMC) Comprehensive fundamentals course covering consulting core competencies, ethical challenges, consulting process, and practice management, delivered across 13 sessions taught by experienced consultants. Aimed at practitioners preparing for the CMC® credential or seeking core consulting knowledge.
• ISO 20700 Training Course Training course on ISO 20700:2017 guidelines for effective delivery of management consultancy services, with three learning tracks tailored to general learners, IMC USA members, and Certified Management Consultants (CMCs). Teaches application of ISO 20700 on consulting projects to create transparency between consultants and clients.
• Consultant Directory (Find a Consultant) Public-facing online searchable directory enabling prospective clients to find and hire IMC USA members and CMCs, with filters by designation, membership type, and location. Generates client referrals for members with over 10,000 monthly visitors to the directory.
• Membership Dues (CMC Candidate, Student, International Associate) Annual recurring membership program offering CMC Candidate ($345 + $50 application), Student ($45, non-voting), and International Associate ($125) tiers, granting access to resources, the consultant directory, education discounts, the enforceable Code of Ethics, and networking through chapters and Communities of Interest.
• CMC Triennial Recertification Recurring triennial recertification program required to maintain the CMC® designation, plus an annual CMC charge to maintain certification for the next calendar year. Reinforces ongoing competency, ethics compliance, and recency of consulting practice.
• Annual Consult-Con Conference and Member Events Annual national Consult-Con conference plus recurring chapter events, monthly webinars, and Communities of Interest discussion groups (Consulting Insights, Challenges, Trends, AI, Women Consultants). Provides peer education, networking, and certification information delivery.
• IMC USA Academy Educational programming division that develops and delivers professional development courses, including ethics seminars and continuing professional development opportunities for management consultants. Operates as the umbrella over QuickStart, MMC, and ISO 20700 training courses.
• AON Professional Liability Insurance Partnership Member benefit partnership with AON Insurance Services providing discounted errors and omissions (E&O) professional liability insurance for IMC USA members and CMCs, with risk strategy and strategic account management tailored to consulting practices.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 10,000 monthly website visitors using the Find a Consultant directory
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (ICMCI/CMC-Global)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMC USA is a founding member of ICMCI (branded as CMC-Global), an international federation advancing the management consulting profession. ICMCI comprises 50 countries, 64,000 consultants and 8,200 certified members. IMC USA participates in ICMCI deliberations through delegates/trustees confirmed by the National Board. The CMC® certification conforms to ICMCI international standards, enabling global reciprocity.
• AONminorOthersAON provides professional liability insurance to IMC USA members and CMCs. Members receive discounts on errors and omissions (E&O) insurance. AON provides risk strategies and strategic account management to customize solutions for consultants who need to carry professional liability insurance. Contact: Amanda Maciulis, Aon Insurance Services, Chicago, IL.
• Quantum MarkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst CMC Firm in the United States. Quantum Mark is a women-owned small business and project management consulting firm serving clients across the US, Canada, and Europe. Founded by IMC USA members Suzanne March and Diane Borhani. Demonstrates the CMC Firm certification program administered jointly by IMC USA and ICMCI.
• Dwight Mihalicz, CMC®minorOthersInstructor for IMC USA's ISO 20700 training course. Dwight Mihalicz is a Certified Management Consultant, Fellow of the Canadian Association of Management Consultants and the Business Excellence Institute, and founder of Effective Managers consulting firm.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM): Largest HR professional membership organization, offering the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP certifications. Comparable to IMC USA in operating a tiered individual professional certification, member chapters, and a code of ethical conduct within a defined business profession.
• Project Management Institute (PMI): Global professional membership organization offering the PMP certification, the gold-standard project management credential. Comparable to IMC USA in operating an internationally recognized individual professional certification with code of ethics, member directory, and continuing education programs.

Emerging players

• American Marketing Association (AMA): Professional association for marketers offering the PCM® digital marketing certification. Comparable to IMC USA as a U.S.-rooted professional association delivering individual certification, training, and member services to a business discipline.
• International Coach Federation (ICF): Global professional organization offering credentialing (ACC, PCC, MCC) for individual coaches. Comparable to IMC USA in providing tiered individual professional certification, a member directory, and continuing education; serves an adjacent professional-services niche.
• Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA): Global professional association offering the CISA, CISM, CGEIT, and CRISC certifications. Comparable to IMC USA in providing multiple high-prestige individual certifications, a code of ethics, and structured continuing education for a technical-professional audience.

Direct peers

• CFA Institute: Operates the CFA Program, a globally recognized professional certification for investment practitioners. Structurally analogous to IMC USA: a high-prestige, examination-based individual certification with a code of ethics, member society network, and employer recognition program.
• Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA): Global professional association administering the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) credential. Comparable in providing a gold-standard individual professional certification with a code of ethics, member chapters, and continuing professional education for a discrete professional discipline.
• International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (ICMCI / CMC-Global): The international federation of which IMC USA is a founding member. ICMCI sets the global CMC® standards, comprises 50 national institutes and 8,200 certified members, and is the direct international counterpart to IMC USA's domestic certification function.
• Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE): Anti-fraud professional organization offering the CFE credential. Operates a similar model to IMC USA: a recognized individual certification with code of ethics, member benefits, training programs, and a member directory serving a defined professional community.

Regional players

• Association of Management Consulting Firms (AMCF): Trade association for consulting firms (rather than individual practitioners). Overlaps with IMC USA in serving the management consulting profession but represents firm-level interests, making it a complementary rather than directly competitive peer in the same industry space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/imcusa
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@IMCUSAConsultants
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/imcusa

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Institute of Management Consultants