IMA Dubai Chapter

What IMA Dubai Chapter does

IMA Dubai Chapter is a regional chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), a U.S.-based nonprofit professional association founded in 1919. Established in Dubai in 2007, the chapter serves accounting and finance professionals across Dubai and the Northern Emirates of the UAE, operating from a volunteer-led board structure supported by 8 staff. As of June 2022, it had more than 1,600 members — including working professionals, students, and retired professionals — with over 700 members holding the CMA and/or CFM credential.

The chapter's portfolio centers on supporting three IMA Global certifications (CMA, CSCA, FMAA) and delivering member-facing programming: Continuing Professional Education (CPE)-credited events, study groups for CMA candidates, an annual mentorship program (December to April), a monthly newsletter, a local job board, and the Leadership Academy volunteer pipeline. Signature events include the IMA Dubai Annual Ball, the Finance Fusion conference, and the Got Talent competition. Student chapters at American University of Sharjah, University of Sharjah, and University of Stirling Ras Al Khaimah Campus extend reach into the academic pipeline. Digital infrastructure runs on Higher Logic's community platform, which powers the website, event registration, and member communications.

The chapter's revenue mechanics differ from a typical company: membership fees are collected centrally by IMA Global rather than at the chapter level, and local revenue derives from event registration fees and corporate sponsorships. Sponsorship, in-person event attendance, and volunteer-driven leadership transition (e.g., Qaiser Ashraf's appointment as Chapter Chair for 2026-2027) are the primary operational levers. The chapter has received consistent recognition from IMA Global, including the Platinum Award for 2025-2026 and multiple Large Chapter awards between 2010 and 2017.

Name

IMA Dubai Chapter

Legal name

Institute of Management Accountants

Website

https://dubai.imanet.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

IMA Dubai Chapter is a 2007-founded, volunteer-led local chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants serving 1,600+ accounting and finance professionals in Dubai and the Northern Emirates through certification support, CPE events, mentorship, student chapters, and signature gatherings such as the Annual Ball.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAAANAD

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

Education/Adult & Continuing Education/Professional Certification Programs

SECONDARYBPADAKAL

Assessment, Certification & Qualifications Frameworks

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Education & Skills Development Programs

Keywords

• Professional membership association
• Management accounting certification
• Continuing professional education
• Finance professional networking
• CMA certification support

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: As a local chapter of IMA, membership fees are collected by IMA Global. The chapter receives support and resources from the parent organization.
2. Event Fees: The chapter organizes events including the Annual Ball, professional development events, and webinars that may have associated fees for participation.
3. Sponsorships: The chapter receives sponsorship support for events and programs from corporate partners.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IMA Dubai Chapter is a regional professional association that delivers IMA's certifications (CMA, CSCA, FMAA), organizes networking and CPE-accredited events (including the Annual Ball, Finance Fusion, and Got Talent), runs an annual mentorship program from December to April, supports student chapters at UAE universities, and provides a job board, monthly newsletter, and Leadership Academy for accounting and finance professionals in Dubai and Northern Emirates.

Product overview

IMA Dubai Chapter offers a professional membership platform and certification ecosystem for accounting and finance professionals in Dubai and Northern Emirates. The organization's portfolio centers on three core professional certifications (CMA, CSCA, and FMAA) supported by educational programs, a mentorship initiative, networking events (including the Annual Ball and Finance Fusion), student chapters at local universities, and career resources including a job board and leadership development. The chapter operates as a community organization providing CPE-credited events, monthly newsletters, and volunteer opportunities, all built on a web-based membership platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CMA (Certified Management Accountant) The CMA certification validates mastery of a comprehensive body of knowledge in accounting and financial management, designed for accounting and finance professionals seeking career advancement.
• CSCA (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis)
• FMAA (Financial and Managerial Accounting Associate)
• IMA Dubai Chapter Educational Programs
• IMA Dubai Chapter Mentoring Program
• IMA Dubai Chapter Events
• IMA Dubai Chapter Job Board
• Leadership Academy
• Student Chapters

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• IMA Global (Institute of Management Accountants)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMA Dubai Chapter is an official local chapter of IMA, founded in 2007. The chapter operates under the umbrella of IMA Global, which has been a champion of the financial management and accounting profession for over 95 years since its founding in Buffalo, New York in 1919. The chapter receives support, resources, and certification programs (CMA, CSCA, FMAA) from IMA Global.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• IMA Abu Dhabi Chapter: Another UAE chapter of IMA Global serving management accountants in Abu Dhabi. Operates with the same parent organization structure, member offerings, and event programming model, making it the most directly comparable peer in terms of scope and operations.
• CPA Australia Middle East: CPA Australia runs member services and events across the Middle East including Dubai, offering the CPA designation to accounting professionals in direct competition with IMA's CMA.
• ICAEW Middle East: Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales maintains a UAE presence offering the ACA qualification, member events, and continuing professional development to a comparable professional demographic in the region.
• CIMA Middle East: Chartered Institute of Management Accountants maintains a Middle East regional presence including UAE events and the CGMA designation, directly competing for the same management accounting professional segment that IMA Dubai serves.
• ACCA Middle East: Association of Chartered Certified Accountants operates Middle East activities including UAE-based member events, student programs, and the ACCA qualification, targeting the same accounting and finance professional audience.

Regional players

• Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants (SOCPA): Saudi Arabia's chartered accounting body offers the SOCPA certification and member services to accounting professionals across the GCC, serving as a regionally focused alternative headquartered outside the UAE.

Emerging players

• Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) - UAE Chapter: The IIA operates in the UAE providing the CIA certification, CPE events, and networking for internal audit professionals, with overlapping audience among accounting and finance professionals in the region.

Broad incumbents

• IMA Global (Institute of Management Accountants): The parent organization of IMA Dubai Chapter with 140,000+ global members and 95+ years of operating history. Provides the CMA, CSCA, and FMAA certifications that the chapter supports at the local UAE level.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/imamiddleeast
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/LinkUpIMA?feature=watch
• Facebookfacebook.com/IMADubai
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-of-management-accountants-dubai-chapter
• Instagraminstagram.com/imadubaichapter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about IMA Dubai Chapter