A Message from Alain Mulder and IMA Europe
I hope you all enjoyed a restful summer and are ready to take on the challenges of the fall.
We’re excited about the new developments that are happening in our region and within the IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) organization. I’m especially happy to announce that our new global integrated CMA advertising campaign officially launched on 12 September. The videos and digital executions help demonstrate how perspectives can change for the better when one secures their CMA certification. You can check out all the ads at: https://www.us.thegateworldwide.com/ima-cma2023. We invite all IMA members to join us in sharing the campaign on your social media platforms. Your support can help elevate the CMA's brand awareness and credibility on a global scale. (For those of you who are not yet CMAs, I encourage you to check out this video on LinkedIn, which discusses using a self-study routine to help you prepare for the exam.)
In other IMA news, IMA recently released the results of the Q2 2023 Global Economic Conditions Survey. Among its key findings, the survey found no evidence that a global recession is in the cards. One surprising finding is that aggressive monetary tightening has not had a material impact on the GECS fear indices, which measure respondents' concerns that customers and/or suppliers may go out of business. Both these indices continue to improve globally, which suggests little concern about the impact of higher interest rates, recession risks, or the growing number of bankruptcies. For our region, however, the news is less rosy: Confidence fell sharply in both Western Europe and Asia Pacific, dropping from a significant boost in Q1.
IMA is here to support you as you contend with the challenges of being an accounting and finance professional. To learn more about IMA’s benefits and resources, I encourage you to check out the latest “Membership Matters” video, featuring a talk between Mike DePrisco, IMA’s president and CEO, and Stella Lu, an IMA volunteer leader. Stella discusses her inspiring career journey and what she’s gained from taking advantage of IMA’s educational offerings.
Indeed, as we approach year-end, I want to emphasize the importance of our CMAs meeting their annual continuing professional education (CPE) requirement. IMA offers an array of courses and webinars, many of which are free for members, to help you fulfill your education needs. Remember, maintaining your certification status requires earning 30 hours of CPE annually, including two hours dedicated to ethics.
And while it’s important to enhance your own professional training, it’s also rewarding to give back to others and help them on their career journeys. Serving as a mentor is a great way to invest in yourself and make your mark as a finance leader for your team and an outstanding member of the IMA community. Remember, the value of mentorship works both ways, both for the mentor and the mentee.
Please email me directly at amulder@imanet.org to share your thoughts and perspectives.
