UAB accounting program earns prestigious endorsement

National accounting institute recognizes Collat program for excellent standards that promote students’ ability to earn industry credentials.
Written by: Katherine Shonesy
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accountingThe University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Collat School of Business accounting program has earned endorsement by the Institute of Management Accountants, one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession.

IMA’s Endorsement of Higher Education Program recognizes programs that meet high educational standards, enabling students to pursue and earn the Certified Management Accountant credential.

“We are enormously proud to achieve this recognition for our accounting program,” said Collat School of Business Dean Eric Jack, Ph.D. “Endorsement by IMA is a great achievement that will help our undergraduate accounting students better prepare for a rewarding career in management accounting. This endorsement is a testament to the quality of our curriculum that will benefit both the future careers of our students and the organizations where they will work.”

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, EQUIS); and a faculty member must be designated as an IMA Campus Advocate.

“IMA is pleased to welcome UAB to the growing list of schools that support the CMA exam program and have achieved a consistent standard of excellence,” said Dr. Raef Lawson, IMA vice president of Research and professor-in-residence. “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.”

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.