The great metaphysical poet John Donne once wrote, “No man is an island, entire of itself;…” What he meant is that no one can exist entirely alone and without being part of something greater. The rest of Donne’s couplet is less well-known but equally important: “every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.” Notwithstanding the outdated “man,” I can’t think of a better way to describe how IMA® partners with others to serve both our members and the profession.
Since our founding 100 years ago (now that it’s 2019, we’re officially in IMA’s anniversary year), IMA has forged partnerships with hundreds of organizations, companies, and individuals around the globe. They include:
- Course providers, who create awareness of and prepare individuals for the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) exam.
- Associations that help advance the profession, such as NABA (National Association of Black Accountants), ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals For America), AAA (American Accounting Association), ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), and IFAC (International Federation of Accountants).
- Corporations that sponsor our conferences, webinars, and more, as well as support CMA certification.
- Research and career-planning partners, such as Deloitte, Robert Half, and others.
Recently I participated in a simulcast with Tom Hood, CEO of the Maryland Association of CPAs (MACPA) and its Business Learning Institute (BLI). Tom is a well-known, highly respected member of the profession (ranked as the second most influential person in accounting by Accounting Today for many years). The event was part of IMA’s new strategic relationship with MACPA, considered one of the most progressive and global state CPA societies, and it attracted an audience of more than 1,200 members from around the world.
Tom and I discussed the challenges facing accountants in the digital age. We talked about technology, the importance of becoming future-ready, and how companies need to embrace data analytics. One topic that resonated with listeners was the risk of not acting (RONA). In this age of technological disruption, we all need the skill of anticipation and an awareness of how staying the same can often mean we’ll be left behind. It’s wise advice for both organizations and individuals.
I look forward to seeing how IMA can continue to grow our partner relationships and establish new ones. I hope 2019 brings the same opportunities for you.
January 2019
