IMA^® (Institute of Management Accountants) is pleased to share the news that Jeff Thomson, CMA, CSCA, CAE, president and CEO; and Darryl Jackson, CAE, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), have been named among Accounting Today’s “Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting.” They join the ranks of some of the profession’s most prominent leaders, including politicians, industry CEOs, and nonprofit presidents. Thomson has earned this distinction numerous times over the past decade; for Jackson, it was his first mention. 

IMA members can view the full list and related article at Top 100 (guest or subscriber login required).

Thomson was named to the list yet again for spearheading IMA’s work with members around the world in the areas of strategic planning, technology, diversity, and ethics. Guided by Thomson’s leadership, during the most recent fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, IMA reached an all-time high of total active CMAs (more than 46,000). Other highlights of the fiscal year included new initiatives in continuing education, research in areas such as sustainability and the future of finance, and growth of the association’s global influence.

These goals were achieved during a year of instability, uncertainty, and change across the world’s economies. As the introduction to the list of influencers says, “As the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic crystalize into the ‘next normal,’ the 2021 Top Most Influential People are sharpening their focus on the most urgent of these major economic shifts.”

Jackson was named to the Top 100 for his role as IMA’s director of DE&I. He was singled out for his work finding ways to fix “the abysmal state of diversity in accounting,” a key finding of IMA’s groundbreaking report on diversity issues in the profession. Jackson oversees many initiatives to address this problem, including establishing deeper relationships with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and working with IMA’s DE&I Committee.

Jackson was also mentioned in a sidebar about the “war for talent” in the profession, where he is quoted as saying, “As the world becomes smaller, those who work in the profession must reflect the communities they serve and be inclusive and equitable in opportunity.”

Members are encouraged to stay connected with Thomson via his Twitter account @IMA_JeffThomson, and through his CFO Insights column on Forbes.com. Jackson can be reached via his LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/darryljackson/.