IMA China

What IMA China does

IMA China (管理会计师协会中国) is the Chinese operations arm of the US-based Institute of Management Accountants, Inc., a private professional membership association founded in 1919 and operating in China since 1997. Headquartered in Shanghai with an additional Beijing office, IMA China delivers the Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Financial Management Associate (FMAA), and Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis (CSCA) credentials, supported by a Chinese-language online learning platform (enterprise.imaglobal.org) that provides video-based continuing professional education (CPE), smart course recommendations, and CPE credit tracking for active annual members.

The business model is a mix of one-time certification and exam fees (per part, USD-denominated) and recurring annual membership dues plus ongoing CPE consumption, supplemented by revenue from the Strategic Finance magazine, IECJ teaching case journal, research reports, and partner-channel economics through a network of authorized training institutions (ATIs) including Youcai, Gaodun, Dong'ao, Hualing, and Anyue. Go-to-market is channel-led and community-led: ATIs handle the bulk of candidate acquisition and exam prep; CMA Elite Clubs across five macro-regions (华南/华东/华北/华中/西南&西北) drive certified-member engagement; a Higher Education Endorsement Program, Student Ambassador Program, campus case competitions, and corporate partnerships with firms such as Ping An, Haier, Huawei, ICBC, and JD Logistics sustain pipeline and employer recognition. The 2025 launch of a new Chinese learning platform and updated Competency Quality Framework reflects ongoing product surface expansion, while strategic cooperation agreements with Fudan University's School of Management and the China Electricity Council anchor academic and vertical reach.

Name

IMA China

Legal name

Institute of Management Accountants, Inc.

Website

https://imachina.org.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

IMA China is the China arm of the US Institute of Management Accountants, offering the CMA, FMAA, and CSCA certifications, Chinese-language CPE learning, and professional community programs to finance professionals, students, universities, and corporate employers across China.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Certification Services

NAICS

Offices of Certified Public Accountants (541211), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Accounting, Audit & Tax (CPA/CA/ACCA CPE) (EDAAALAA), Accounting & Finance Certification Prep (CPA, CMA, CFA, FRM) (EDANAIAD)

Keywords

• Management accounting certification
• Professional membership association
• Continuing professional education
• Finance credential programs
• CMA exam preparation

Headquarters

HQ city

Shanghai

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. CMA Certification Fees: IMA generates revenue from CMA exam registration fees, exam content fees, and certification issuance fees. Candidates must pay an exam entrance fee and per-exam fees. Certification requires passing both exam parts and meeting experience requirements.
2. Annual Membership Dues: IMA charges annual membership fees (年费) to maintain active membership and certification status. Members receive access to the Chinese online learning platform, publications, and member resources as part of their subscription.
3. Continuing Professional Education (CPE): CMA holders must earn CPE credits annually to maintain certification. IMA provides CPE-eligible courses through its Chinese learning platform, authorized training partners, and live events. Some content is free for members; partner courses and premium content may generate additional revenue.
4. FMAA and CSCA Certifications: IMA also offers the FMAA (Finance Management Associate Associate) and CSCA (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis) credentials, each with separate exam and certification fees.
5. Publications and Research Reports: IMA publishes the Strategic Finance (战略财务) magazine, white papers, research reports, and books on management accounting topics. Revenue may be generated through subscriptions and sales of the Strategic Finance magazine and IMA publications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

IMA China is the Chinese branch of the Institute of Management Accountants, offering three professional certifications in management accounting: CMA (Certified Management Accountant), FMAA (Financial Management Assessment and Accreditation), and CSCA (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis). It also provides a Chinese-language online learning platform for continuing professional education (CPE), research publications including the Strategic Finance magazine and teaching cases, and a network of authorized training institutions and regional elite clubs that support candidates and certified members across China.

Product overview

IMA China operates as a professional certification and continuing education organization offering a portfolio of credentials and learning products centered around management accounting. The core offerings include three professional certifications: CMA (Certified Management Accountant) as the flagship two-part exam-based credential, FMAA (Financial Management Assessment and Accreditation) as a foundational alternative, and CSCA (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis) as an advanced specialization. These are supported by a comprehensive Chinese Online Learning Platform delivering video-based CPE courses with smart recommendation features, complemented by specialized programs including Sustainable Development certificate courses and IMA English podcasts. The product ecosystem extends to research publications (Strategic Finance Magazine, research reports, teaching cases, and books), competitive programs (Campus Case Competition and Case Writing Competition), the Student Ambassador internship program, regional Elite Club networking activities, and an authorized training institution network. IMA China also manages academic partnerships through its Higher Education Recognition Program and Research Fund, creating a complete value chain from education through certification to ongoing professional development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CMA (Certified Management Accountant): Professional certification in management accounting offered by IMA
• FMAA (Financial Management Associate)
• CSCA (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis)
• 战略财务杂志 (Strategic Finance Magazine)
• IMA教育案例季刊 (IECJ)

Products and services

• CMA (Certified Management Accountant) Certification The flagship two-part professional certification in management accounting covering Financial Planning, Performance & Analysis (Part 1) and Strategic Financial Management (Part 2). Available in Chinese and English, recognized in 140+ countries, and designed for finance and accounting professionals seeking strategic management accounting credentials.
• FMAA (Financial Management Assessment and Accreditation) Certification A foundational single-exam financial management credential that provides a broad foundation in financial analysis and management accounting principles, intended as an accessible entry point for early-career professionals and students.
• CSCA (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis) Certification An advanced specialization certification for existing CMA holders focusing on strategic analysis and competitive positioning skills.
• IMA Chinese Online Learning Platform A Chinese-language LMS providing video-based continuing professional education (CPE) courses with smart course recommendations and CPE credit tracking, available to active IMA members.
• Sustainable Development Business Practice Certificate A specialized certificate program on sustainable business practices and ESG principles targeted at finance professionals.
• Strategic Finance Magazine (战略财务杂志) IMA's flagship bilingual publication covering management accounting, internal controls, risk management, ethics, and leadership; distributed in print and via official mini-program.
• IMA Research and Reports Research publications including whitepapers, surveys, and industry reports on management accounting topics.
• IMA Teaching Cases (IMA管理会计教学案例) Peer-reviewed management accounting teaching cases published quarterly in the IMA Educational Case Journal (IECJ), covering cost management, performance evaluation, strategic planning, and ethics.
• IMA Books (IMA图书) Published books covering management accounting announcements, dictionaries, and specialized topics for the profession.
• CPE Partner Courses Continuing professional education courses delivered through authorized training partners to help CMA holders maintain their credentials.

Quantifiable outcome

• CMA holders earn 67% more in annual total compensation than non-certified professionals
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 复旦大学管理学院 (Fudan University School of Management)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019IMA signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Fudan University's School of Management for joint research initiatives, collaborative case writing projects, and professional development programs. The partnership includes an IMA-Fudan MPAcc joint lecture series and academic case development.
• 中国电力企业联合会 (China Electricity Council)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019IMA signed a strategic cooperation memorandum with the China Electricity Council to promote management accounting practices within China's power and electricity sector through joint research, training, and professional development initiatives.
• 深圳管理会计发展论坛 (Shenzhen Management Accounting Development Forum)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 October 2018IMA was a special guest partner at the 2nd Shenzhen Management Accounting Development Forum and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Enterprise Risk Management Conference, co-organized with Shenzhen Accounting Society, Shenzhen Finance Society, and other local bodies. Jeffrey Thomson, IMA President and CEO, delivered a keynote on enterprise risk management.
• 优财 (Youcai / 优财CMA培训中心)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor优财 is IMA's longest-standing authorized CMA training partner in China, with 14 years of focused CMA training. It has been recognized as an IMA白金级 (Platinum) partner and has produced thousands of CMA-certified professionals through its online and offline courses.
• 高顿财经/高顿教育 (Gaodun)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor高顿 is a major authorized CMA and FMAA training institution with multiple campuses across China. It was named IMA's 白金级 (Platinum) education partner and has been an authorized CMA training provider since 2010. Gaodun also secured IMA's first CPE license in Greater China in 2013.
• Prometric (普尔文考试中心)coreTechnology or IntegrationIMA partners with Prometric for the administration of CMA and FMAA exams in China. Prometric operates the testing center network where candidates schedule and take their exams. Exam seat reservation deadlines are managed through the Prometric platform.
• WileyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWiley publishes the official CMA exam review materials (2018 edition), providing textbook and study guide resources for CMA candidates. Wiley is referenced as the publisher of IMA's official bilingual CMA exam preparation guides.
• 企业合作伙伴 (Corporate Partners)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerIMA lists a broad set of enterprise partners including 平安集团, 海尔, 华为, 中兴, 复星, 华为, 招商银行, 中国工商银行, 亨通集团, 华润, 上海中心大厦, 远洋集团, 三一集团, 用友, 金蝶, 中国兵器, 振华重工, and many others who support CMA certification for their finance staff and engage with IMA's professional community.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants): CIMA is the most direct global peer: a UK-based professional body offering the CGMA designation in management accounting, with active exam prep, membership, and CPE offerings that overlap almost 1:1 with IMA's CMA program.
• ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants): ACCA is a globally recognized accounting credential with strong penetration in China, competing for the same finance professional upskilling wallet and offering multi-part exams, study providers, and continuing professional development.
• CFA Institute: CFA Institute offers the CFA credential for investment professionals and competes for the same Chinese candidate audience pursuing globally recognized finance certifications, with overlapping membership and CPE business models.
• CPA Australia: CPA Australia is an Asia-Pacific accounting body with active China presence, offering CPA Program exams and membership tiers that overlap with IMA's CMA in targeting mid-career finance professionals.

Broad incumbents

• ISACA: ISACA provides credentials (CISA, CISM, CRISC) targeted at governance, risk, and audit professionals, partially overlapping with CMA's management-accounting and risk-management curriculum and competing for the same enterprise training wallet.
• PMI (Project Management Institute): PMI offers the PMP credential and operates a comparable global membership, exam, and CPE model; while project-management focused, it competes for corporate L&D budgets that also fund CMA certification sponsorships.
• AICPA (American Institute of CPAs): AICPA operates the US CPA credential and co-owns CGMA with CIMA, making it a structural peer in the same professional-accountant certification market where IMA competes for credential recognition.
• IIA (Institute of Internal Auditors): IIA offers the CIA certification for internal auditors and operates a similar global membership-and-exam model; while not a direct substitute for CMA, it competes for the same finance-professional upskilling budget.

Regional players

• CICPA (Chinese Institute of Certified Public Accountants): CICPA is the dominant local accounting credentialing body in China; while it does not compete internationally, it is the primary alternative Chinese finance professionals consider when choosing between CPA and CMA-level credentials.

Others

• Gaodun (高顿教育): Gaodun is an IMA Platinum training partner and a major Chinese finance-credential exam-prep provider across CFA, CPA, ACCA, and CMA; it is a key channel for IMA China and also a potential competitive threat if it expands its own proprietary credentials.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ima-china

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 IMA China