IMA Endorses Scranton’s Accounting Program
The University of Scranton’s undergraduate accounting program has earned endorsement by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). From left: Ashley Regan, faculty specialist and the University’s IMA student chapter faculty advisor and Harry W. Zike, chief financial officer of Chinook Sciences, member of the IMA Global Board of Directors and a 1976 graduate of the University.The University of Scranton’s undergraduate accounting program has earned endorsement by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA ®), one of the largest and most-respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession. Currently, just 33 colleges in the U.S. are endorsed by IMA.
IMA’s Endorsement of Higher Education initiative recognizes programs that meet rigorous educational standards, enabling students to pursue and earn the Certified Management Accountant (CMA®) credential.
To qualify for endorsement by IMA, schools must meet the following criteria: the program must substantially cover the CMA exam content; the program must have adequate faculty resources to deliver this content; the program must be accredited by a recognized accreditation organization (e.g., AACSB, ACBSP, etc.); and a faculty member must be designated as an IMA campus advocate. The program offers two tiers of endorsement: full endorsement, for those university programs that meet all endorsement criteria; and provisional endorsement, for programs with some minor to moderate shortcomings in meeting all the criteria for full endorsement.
“Endorsement by IMA is a great achievement that will help our undergraduate accounting students better prepare for a rewarding career in management accounting,” said Ashley Regan, faculty specialist and the University’s IMA student chapter faculty advisor. “This is a testament to the quality of our nationally recognized curriculum that will benefit both the future careers of our students and their future employers.”
Scranton’s Kania School of Management is among less than five percent of business schools worldwide to hold accreditation by the rigorous standards of AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University’s programs in accounting and finance programs each at No. 17 in the country. In addition, Best Colleges named the University’s Online Master in Accountancy Program No. 1 in the country for Master’s in Accounting Online.
Globally, IMA supports the profession through research, the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) program, continuing education, networking, and advocacy of the highest ethical business practices. IMA has a global network of more than 80,000 members in 140 countries and 300 professional and student chapters.
IMA’s globally-recognized CMA program is a relevant assessment of advanced accounting and financial management knowledge in four areas: financial planning, analysis, control and decision support – each of which is increasingly critical in meeting the changing needs of business, and therefore, essential learning for students of accounting and finance.
“IMA is pleased to welcome The University of Scranton to the growing list of schools that support the CMA exam program and have achieved a consistent standard of excellence,” said Raef Lawson, Ph.D., vice president of research and professor-in-residence for IMA . “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.”
