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IMA
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Stern Strategy Group
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IMA Research Foundation Names Vairam Arunachalam as its Chair
Montvale, N.J., July 11, 2023 — IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) announced today that its Research Foundation (IRF) has appointed Vairam Arunachalam, Ph.D., CMA, CFE, as Chair of the IRF. Arunachalam’s term began on July 1, 2023.
As chair, Arunachalam will oversee all of the IRF’s work and awarding of grants. The IRF is dedicated to funding relevant, thought-provoking research that furthers the knowledge and scope of accounting and financial management. To date, the Foundation has bestowed more than $1 million in research grants to academics and doctoral students.
“As a long-term IMA member and volunteer, it is an incredible honor to oversee the IMA Research Foundation,” said Arunachalam. “In my role as an academic, I see firsthand the important work that the IRF does in funding research to move the management accounting profession forward and to give accounting and financial professionals a rich variety of tools for success.”
Arunachalam is the Director of the School of Accountancy and the PricewaterhouseCoopers/Joseph A. Silvoso Distinguished Professor of Accountancy at the University of Missouri’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business. His research and teaching interests are in the areas of fraud examination, management accounting, and information systems. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from Loyola College in Madras, India, a Master of Accountancy in Accounting Information Systems from the University of Georgia, and a Ph.D. in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
An IMA member since 1988, Arunachalam previously served as IRF Chair from 2010-2012 and IRF Vice Chair-Elect and Chair-Elect in 2023. He has also served on the ICMA® (Institute of Certified Management Accountants) Board of Regents from 2014-2020 and earned his CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) in 1999.
About IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants)
IMA® is one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession. Globally, IMA supports the profession through research, the CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) and CSCA® (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis) programs, continuing education, networking, and advocacy of the highest ethical business practices. Twice named Professional Body of the Year by The Accountant/International Accounting Bulletin, IMA has a global network of about 140,000 members in 150 countries and 350 professional and student chapters. Headquartered in Montvale, N.J., USA, IMA provides localized services through its four global regions: The Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Middle East/India. For more information about IMA, please visit www.imanet.org.