Task Force Finalizes Curriculum to Bridge the Accounting 'Skills Gap'

MONTVALE, N.J. --(Business Wire)--

Two thought leaders in accounting education, IMA^® (Institute of Management Accountants) and AAA's (American Accounting Association) Management Accounting Section (MAS), are working to bridge the gap between the skills currently provided in accounting education and those required in practice. Ultimately, these skills translate to greater business performance and shareholder protection.

The IMA-MAS Curriculum Task Force presented its initial recommendations on January 12 at the 2013 Management Accounting Section Research and Case Conference in New Orleans, La. The presentation featured a transformational integrated accounting educational framework relevant to all accounting students.

"This achievement reflects IMA's longstanding commitment to education reform and to addressing the talent shortage in management accounting," said Raef Lawson, Ph.D., CMA^®, CPA, IMA vice president of research, who serves as Task Force chair. "Accounting curricula must embrace how accountants today add organizational value in a variety of organizational settings, including content on strategy formulation and analysis, planning, and execuion."

The task force's charge of developing a comprehensive integrated educational framework is responsive to recommendations made by the Pathways Commission, on which IMA has a representative. The Commission was formed in 2010 as a joint initiative between AAA and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants to study the future of accounting education.

IMA's research initiatives aimed at addressing the skills gap date back to 1986 with its contributions to the AAA's Bedford Report, "Future Accounting Education: Preparing for the Expanding Profession," which examined accounting education and found a severe gap between what accounting educators teach and what organizations need from their accounting and financial staff.

To access Dr. Lawson's presentation from the conference, visit: http://bit.ly/XyruKt.

About IMA^® (Institute of Management Accountants)

IMA^®, the association of accountants and financial professionals in business, 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) program, continuing education, networking, and advocacy of the highest ethical business practices. IMA has a global network of more than 65,000 members in 120 countries and 200 local chapter communities. IMA provides localized services through its offices in Montvale, N.J., USA; Zurich, Switzerland; Dubai, UAE; and Beijing, China. For more information about IMA, please visit www.imanet.org.

About AAA (American Accounting Association)

The American Accounting Association is the largest community of accountants in academia. Founded in 1916, we have a rich and reputable history built on leading-edge research and publications. The diversity of our membership creates a fertile environment for collaboration and innovation. Collectively, we shape the future of accounting through leading-edge research, education, publications, and a powerful network, ensuring our position as thought leaders in accounting. For more information about the AAA, please visit http://aaahq.org.