International programs spearhead CMA global recognition: a diversity of international programs are building the worldwide reputation of CMA Canada and its members, and enhancing quality growth.

Globalization, technology and the increasing mobility of business professionals have made the world a much smaller place. For any organization to survive and prosper, strategies to enhance global marketplace relevance and recognition are absolutely vital. That's why CMA Canada is intensifying its international program outreach initiatives to build the worldwide reputation of management accountants and drive quality growth.

A key initiative is CMA Canada's participation in the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC). IFAC is a global organization for the accounting profession whose member organizations are active participants in establishing high quality international accounting standards and practices. The Federation consists of 163 organizations in 119 countries, representing 2.5 million accountants employed in public practice, industry and commerce, government, and academe. IFAC has a large number of committees that develop policies and perform research for the federation.

"Our focus over the last year has been to participate on committees that directly support the CMA Canada Strategic Plan, while continuing to increase CMA Canada's international profile and influence," said Richard Benn, Vice President of Program Development for CMA Canada. "We are a major participant in management accounting research and in the development of ethical standards for professional accountants."

For example, said Benn, CMA Canada has been working in collaboration with the IFAC Professional Accountants in Business (PAIB) Committee to develop three new publications.

"These publications are entitled "Providing Guidance for the Development of a Code of Corporate Conduct," "Roles and Responsibilities in Producing and Using Robust and Reliable Financial Statements," and "The Role of the CFO in Performance Management for SMEs," said Benn. "CMA Canada has also been working in collaboration with the IFAC Ethics Committee in the ongoing development of ethical standards for accountants in business."

He pointed out that "our overriding goals are to strengthen public confidence in the profession, provide high-quality services in the international marketplace, and continually attract high-calibre entrants. As a result, CMA Canada is quickly becoming recognized as a global thought leader in strategic financial management."

CMA Canada has also participated in the establishment of self-sustaining management accounting associations within developing countries.

"We were instrumental in the establishment of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan, which has been in existence for 50 years," said Benn. "Recently, CMA Canada helped establish the Society of Certified Management Accountants of Sri Lanka. In both instances, CMA Canada assisted with the establishment of accreditation programs in support of the management accounting profession."

Benn added that CMA Canada continues to administer mutual recognition agreements with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), both based in the United Kingdom. The agreements give members of CMA Canada preferred access to membership in CIMA and CIPFA. Similarly, members of CIMA and CIPFA are given preferred access to membership in CMA Canada.

"Our expanding reservoir of intellectual capital also plays a pivotal role in international program development," said Benn. "CMA Canada has an agreement with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) for the sale of CMA Canada Management Accounting Guidelines for distribution to the ICAEW Faculty of Management, which has 10,000 members. Over the past several years the ICAEW has been acquiring an average of two titles per year. Full attribution for CMA Canada as the source of these guidelines is provided by the ICAEW."

He said that, as part of CMA Canada's partnership with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)," we are discussing the possibility of licensing the AICPA's electronic competency model for adaptation to the CMA competency model now in development. This will enhance delivery of this critical product to our members, as well as support other initiatives we are exploring for the mutual benefit of our members."

Benn added that, in collaboration with the CIPFA designation, which focuses on pubic sector financial needs, CMA Canada is currently examining an opportunity to market the CIPFA FM Model. "This is an online self-assessment tool designed to help public sector organizational leaders develop a profile of the strengths and weaknesses of an organization's financial management processes, and identify how sound financial management can help drive performance and set strategic direction."

CMA Canada also has a partnership with BetterManagement.com (BMC), a U.S.-based online service that offers an extensive library of business articles, seminars and courses focusing on best practices in performance management, change management, risk management and IT management.

"In addition to our regular posting of CMA Management articles, we are looking at developing joint online seminars with BMC that capitalize on management accounting expertise and feature CMA speakers. This will give us tremendous exposure in the global market."