New agreement supports global financial professionals of the future

Curtin Singapore and the New Jersey-based Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) will work together to further enhance the education and professional recognition of accounting students.

The two institutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate and create opportunities for students to achieve the global benchmark for management accountants and financial professionals, the IMA’s Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification.

Curtin Singapore Pro-Vice Chancellor and President Professor Linley Lord said the University valued the opportunity to work with IMA and enable students to pursue a globally relevant professional qualification.

Professor Saurav Dutta, the Head of Curtin’s School of Accounting, said Curtin Singapore students would benefit from the partnership by accessing the vast expertise the distinguished organisation offered.

“The IMA is an internationally respected professional accounting organisation with a significant presence in China, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and south-east Asia,” Professor Dutta said.

“This MOU will offer Curtin Singapore students the opportunity to enhance their qualifications and prepare them for their future careers as accountants and financial professionals in the global workforce.”

IMA Vice President of Research and Professor-in-Residence, Dr Raef Lawson, said the IMA was pleased to welcome Curtin Singapore to the growing list of schools that support the CMA exam program and have achieved a consistent standard of excellence.

“High-quality, up-to-date educational programs that support the current needs of businesses will help future professional management accountants accomplish their career objectives and meet the competency expectations of employers,” Dr Lawson said.

Dr Josh Heniro, IMA Director of Southeast Asia and Australasia, said: “IMA’s globally recognised CMA Program is a relevant assessment of advance accounting and financial knowledge in areas such as financial planning, performance, analytics, control and strategic financial management – each of which is increasingly critical in meeting the changing needs of business, and therefore, essential learning for students of accounting and finance.”

The IMA is the worldwide association of accountants and financial professionals, extending across 140 countries with more than 300 professional and student chapters.

The MOU was signed at Curtin Singapore on 5 April 2019.

Photo caption: Ryan Ang, Director, Regional Business Development, IMA; Daniel Lim, Director, Regional Partners Relation, IMA; Josh Heniro, Director, Southeast Asia Operations, IMA; Professor Linley Lord, Curtin Singapore Pro-Vice Chancellor and President; and Professor Saurav Dutta, the Head of Curtin University’s School of Accounting.