CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) the gloablly accepted and recognized professional qualification won further international acclaim with the signing of mutual recognition agreements with two of the world's leading accountancy bodies, CMA (Certified Management Accountants) Canada and CPA (Certified Practising Accountants) Australia. CMA Canada grants a professional designation in strategic management accounting and is responsible for standards-setting, accreditation and the continuing professional development of CMAs, CPA. CPA Australia is the world's seventh largest accounting body, representing more than 117,000 finance, accounting and business professionals located predominantly in Australia, Asia and Europe.

These global alliances form part of CIMA's strategy to promote the ever-increasing employability of its members around the world. "Our partnerships with influential accounting bodies, CMA Canada and CPA Australia, are extremely beneficial for our members and have afforded them opportunities to increase their competitiveness in the international arena and as well as enhance their strategic management skills," said CIMA's President, Glynn Lowth "The nature of the international economy dictates that management accountants must be globally-minded." Mr.Lowth stressed these strategic alliances strengthen CIMA's position by offering increased knowledge-sharing and collaboration, particularly in the areas of strategic accounting skills and performance measurement.

The reciprocal membership agreement with CPA Australia is a new alliance for an initial four-year term. The CMA Canada agreement, which comes into effect immediately, is a renewal for an additional five years of the original agreement and it details how members of CMA Canada and CIMA can gain reciprocal membership.

CPA Australia President Alex Malley said CPA Australia's mutual recognition agreement with CIMA further strengthened each organisation's standing on the global accounting stage and gave all members unprecedented access to international job markets.

"The CIMA Professional Qualification is highly regarded and recognised by business around the world," Mr Malley said. "The Mutual Recognition Agreement identifies areas for joint initiatives, including research and advocacy, and highlights the increasingly global nature of the accounting profession.

"We believe that partnerships with influential accounting bodies, such as CIMA, allow us to strengthen our position through knowledge-sharing and collaboration, which benefits our members and the profession."

Michael Tinkler, an FCMA and Chair of the CMA Canada National Board of Directors, said the mutual recognition agreement between CIMA and CMA Canada will increase recognition of members of both organisations in the global marketplace, as well as provide for greater international mobility and career opportunities. "Members of CMA Canada and CIMA have made significant impact on the growth and success of a number of organisations," said Mr Tinkler. "Our strategic alliance with CIMA addresses the needs of both our members and their employers."

The agreements will give all CMA Canada members and CPA Australia members who have gained membership through the Business route preferred access to CIMA membership, while CIMA members will be given preferred access membership to both CMA Canada and CPA Australia. The new agreements will be accessible to more than 190,000 finance professionals.

Regional Director, South Asia and the Middle East, Bradley Emerson said "this clearly establishes the true global recognition of CIMA. It is in particular interest to SriLanka, given the fact that both Canada and Australia are countries where most of Srilankan members and students are relocated. In effect CIMA is one qualification that brings in three professional memberships, will no doubt be an incentive to all our members and passed finalists."

For detailed information on the application process and specific requirements for qualifying for the CIMA designation please see www.cimaglobal.com/alliances. More information on qualifying for the CMA designation can be obtained from the CMA province or territory in which members plan to work or reside. A listing of provincial and territorial CMA societies can be found at http://www.cma-canada.org/index.cfm?ci_id=1886&la_id=1.
Information on the application process for CPA Australia can be found at www.cpaaustralia.com.au/CIMA.