On May 23, 2011, the AICPA governing Council overwhelmingly approved the creation of a new credential called the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) through a joint venture between the AICPA and the London-based Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). The credential advances the science of management accounting, while supporting and growing the U.S. CPA as the worldwide standard of professional excellence in accounting. It also recognizes the unique competencies and expertise of management accountants who are leading the world’s most successful organizations and providing employers with the best professional management accounting talent to drive sustainable business outcomes.

 
Credential to Launch First Quarter of 2012
Beginning in the first quarter of 2012, AICPA voting members will be automatically eligible for the credential upon verifying three years of qualifying experience. CPAs who are members of both the AICPA and their state CPA society will receive a special discounted annual fee.
 
Resources and Professional Development to Support CGMAs
CGMAs worldwide will have access to a variety of materials and publications, a proprietary website housing resources to help them develop management accounting competencies and a global social online network and community. To guide their professional development for continuous improvement throughout their careers, CGMAs will tap into a competency self-directed assessment tool. This new tool will help them understand the skill sets they need to remain relevant and valued in the rapidly changing business world and identify courses of action to meet their objectives.
 
Raising the Science of Management Accounting Worldwide
Through this joint venture, the AICPA and CIMA will leverage the collective power of more than 550,000 members to advance the science of management accounting worldwide, substantially benefitting the public, members and students. The CGMA credential delivers great value to professionals in business, industry and government, as well as to those in public accounting, who perform, or are involved with, management accounting roles on behalf of client businesses.
 
Resources for Your Use
The AICPA understands that your members will want to know more about this exciting development and what it means for them and for the profession and has prepared the following attachments for you to share with them:
 
•             An article for your use in publications and/or on your website with details about the credential and AICPA/CIMA joint venture
•             A backgrounder: “Advancing the Science of Management Accounting: A Joint Venture between AICPA and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants”
 
You will receive a PowerPoint presentation for your use at member events and committee meetings through CTNU in the coming week.
 
In addition, you may want to invite your members to learn more about the credential, when it is scheduled to be available and what it means for the profession, by linking your communications to the credential press release and through this video from AICPA President and CEO, Barry C. Melancon, CPA.
 
Thank you for sharing these resources with your members and for keeping them informed about this exciting opportunity. We look forward to providing you with additional resources as they're developed. If you have questions, please contact Heather O’Connor.

 
Heather O’ConnorManager, CommunicationsP: +1.919.402.4853  |  F: +1.919.402.4505
hoconnor@aicpa.org220 Leigh Farm Road
Durham, NC 27707-8110