IMA (Institute of Management Accountants) and Al Ain University (AAU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in an effort to further academic, educational, and professional initiatives for students in the UAE. 

 

The MoU will assist in enhancing the learning experiences of students by offering access to expertise and facilities offered by AAU and IMA.

 

Hanadi Khalife, senior director of MEA & India operations at IMA, said: “At IMA, we believe that in order for the finance and accounting profession to keep pace with the changing business environment and advances in technology, we must build the competencies needed by professionals at a grassroots level. This starts with bridging the skills gap among young minds before they even enter the workplace. Our partnership with AAU will equip students with an aptitude for finance and accounting to gain the ability to think strategically and the confidence to make smart decisions that impact business. The CMA certification will give them a realistic perspective of what to expect at the workplace while also empowering them to navigate the complex labyrinths of financial and business decision making with greater ease.”

 

Prof Ghaleb Al Refae, President, Al Ain University, UAE, said: “At AAU, we are always looking for opportunities to offer professional programmes to our students which complement their academic studies at the University. IMA’s CMA certification programme is an industry-renowned and advanced-level certification for accounting and finance professionals in business. Through this partnership, we aim to provide a high-calibre educational opportunity to our students, thereby helping them to enhance their future career potential by enhancing their value to prospective employers.”

 

As part of the agreement, IMA has committed to providing CMA scholarships to the top ten distinguished AAU students. IMA and AAU will also work together to support and enhance various research programmes for faculty members.

 

“Most finance and accounting professionals work inside organisations, where expertise in decision support, planning, and control over value-adding operations are crucial elements of operational success. Earning the CMA designation will help them to master a comprehensive body of knowledge directly related to operational and strategic management as well as the skills and abilities required to build quality business practices inside organisations,” continued Khalife.

 

For nearly 50 years, the CMA certification has been the global benchmark for management accountants and finance professionals. Globalisation and standardisation, combined with more stringent financial reporting requirements, have resulted in a dramatic change in the practice, rules, regulations, ethics, and execution of managerial accounting and financial strategy in all areas of an organisation.

 

IMA’s CMA certification programme is an advanced-level assessment for accounting and finance professionals in business covering financial planning, performance and analytics, and strategic financial management. Achieving the CMA demonstrates professional expertise in financial planning, analysis, control, decision support, and professional ethics – skills that are in demand by organisations around the world. -- TradeArabia News Service