The Detroit Chapter of the
IMA is prepared to kick off a new season of networking and workshops to help
accounting and other professionals advance their
careers.
Our meetings are an opportunity to expand your practical knowledge as today’s business professional, linking the professional accountant to all other areas of operations. No matter what side of the business you come from, our topics are designed to help you grow.
For 2012, our regular meetings will be held on the third Tuesday of each month at The Westin Hotel, 1500 Town Center, Southfield, MI 48075, located on the main floor about 30′ from the main desk. If our regular events do not justify the larger room, our alternate meeting room is in the adjacent Tangos Restaurant. We also plan to continue our joint meetings with the Detroit Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and the Detroit Chapter of the Financial Executives Institute (FEI). While our summer planning is still under development, following is an idea of how the meetings are lining up the upcoming year:
- September 20 – Health Care Reform and International Bridge Update · (2 CPE)
- October 18 – Student Night· (2 CPE)
- November 15? – Joint meeting with FEI (in Detroit) · (2 CPE)
- January 10 (Note: 2nd Tuesday) – Joint meeting with IIA (VisTaTech Center, Schoolcraft College) (2 CPE)
- February 21 – Technical Skills Development · (2 CPE)
- March 22 – (Thursday) Management Accounting’s Role in Manufacturing (6 CPE)
- April 17 – Ethics · (2 CPE)
- May 15 – Either the Riverboat Cruise (joint with the IIA and ISACA [no CPE]) or Personal Management Workshops (1 CPE)
Topics and meeting places are subject to change; please check here and within the web-site for changes.
The Detroit Chapter continues to develop mutually beneficial partnerships with Metro Detroit’s fine colleges. We’ve enjoyed success in promoting the CMA and other accounting certifications through Walsh College, which hosted our Fourth Annual Accounting Certification Night this past year. We’ve also presented the benefits of the CMA credential to students at UM-Dearborn and Wayne State University. We sincerely look to add other colleges to our network during the coming year. The CMA focuses specifically on financial planning, analysis, control, decision support and professional ethics—the critical skills for today’s complex and changing business environment. The CMA defines you as a serious career professional.
Perhaps the pinnacle of our year is the annual Spring Conference. Last year we dedicated a day and a half to unraveling the wisdom (and sometimes lack thereof) of budgeting and forecasting. This year promises to be as challenging, as we center on manufacturing. In spite of all the maligned perception, there is still great demand for this industry related topic. We are also looking into some other options for those not interested in that particular industry, perhaps holding another event in the same time period. It’s too early to call whether we can accomplish this second meeting or not.
I am very proud that Detroit achieved 8th place in the IMA’s Chapter competition this past year, the highest in the storied chapters history (or so I am told). As great as it was for us to achieve that height, this year promises to be an even better year as we welcome bright and knowledgeable new leaders into the Chapter. With their skills and contributions, we plan to make a significant impact on the careers of all those who network with us.
So please join us for a meeting, if not all of them. It is time to associate with the one organization that has long been recognized as “The Gold Standard” in Management Accounting. The IMA is a non-profit organization and is the only organization that is truly committed to Management Accounting. The IMA will not compromise its mission to advance Management Accounting on a global level, unlike its GAAP based counterpart. There is no other like it and I am certain there never will be. Don’t miss out!
— by Thomas A. Miele, CMA, President 2011-2012