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The governing bodies of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, with its headquarters in London, have agreed on creation of a new professional designation, the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).

The new AICPA-CIMA designation, the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) is an official recognition bestowed upon its professionals as possessing the advance knowledge and skill-sets of management accounting. It will be the badge of a worldwide standard of professional excellence in management accounting.

With approval now given by the AICPA and CIMA councils, the two accounting bodies will create the new CGMA designation to give management accountancy a higher profile in the United States and promote the professional development of management accountants across the globe. Backing the new CGMA designation will be an AICPA-CIMA joint venture with international resources and experience in management accounting, business and cultural knowledge.

CIMA President George Glass says: “We are delighted that management accountancy is to be given a strong new global impetus by this joint venture. This advances our strategic aims and will ensure management accountants, committed to strict ethical standards, will receive world-class support in a fast-globalising world.” 

“This is truly an historic moment for management accounting and the accounting profession worldwide.” AICPA Chairman Paul Stahlin says.  “Our joint venture with CIMA creates long-term strategic value for our members and literally opens up the world for US CPAs in management accounting.”

CIMA is the largest professional body in the world focused exclusively on management accounting and the AICPA is the world’s largest professional accounting organisation with members in a wide range of accounting and financial executive roles. Together, the new venture will cover more than 550,000 members and students worldwide.

The new AICPA and CIMA joint venture will promote and establish the CGMA as the preeminent, globally recognised management accounting designation. The joint venture will combine the strength of the AICPA in North America with CIMA’s presence in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and elsewhere.

CIMA Chief Executive Charles Tilley says:”The new CGMA will be recognised throughout the world as the gold-standard designation for management accountants who play a vital role in building sustainable business value. The joint venture will raise the profile of the profession and be a passport for careers throughout the world.”

“Economic globalisation is a reality for all businesses now and in the future and so it’s critical that we have a universally accepted standard of excellence for management accounting,” says AICPA President and CEO Barry Melancon “Combining that commitment to excellence with ethics and integrity, the CGMA will help produce and recognise top management accounting professionals worldwide.”

It is proposed that the new CGMA letters will be issued to members early in 2012.  

AICPA voting members with at least three years working in management accounting or a financial management role would qualify for an accelerated route to obtaining the new designation. 

Those holding the new designation will commit to a programme of developing and maintaining ompetency in management accounting as well as leadership and strategy.  This knowledge base will be derived from an expert-panel assessment of skills and competencies needed to succeed in various career paths in management accounting.

CIMA members, all of whom hold either an ACMA or FCMA, will be entitled to use the letters ACMA CGMA or FCMA CGMA if they wish to.

The new CGMA will be issued by the AICPA and CIMA through a license with the joint venture, with membership remaining with the existing organisations. 

The AICPA and CIMA had announced their proposal to form a joint venture on March 28, 2011.

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