i) CMA-Canada

Certified Management Accountants of Canada (CMA Canada) grants a professional designation in management accounting and regulates its members under the authorization of provincial legislation. As a self-regulating professional body, CMA Canada establishes and maintains the highest standards, practices and professional conduct in management accounting to protect the public interest. CMA Canada’s membership has grown rapidly since the organization was formed in 1920, currently including more than 40,000 CMAs and 10,000 students across Canada and around the world

History of CMA Canada (for a full history of CMA Canada, please here)

The following points in CMA’s history are of importance to internationally trained professionals:

1920 – The founding of the Canadian Society of Cost Accountants (now CMA Canada).

1926 – Launch of a management accounting journal (Cost and Management, now called CMA Management).

1939 – Decision by Board of Directors to seek legislative approval for a professional designation. The designation was called RIA (Registered Industrial and Cost Accountant).

1940 – The Ontario legislature is the first province to recognize the Society as a professional accounting body with designation granting powers. Quebec was next in March 1941 with all other provinces and territories following.

1960 – Entered the world of international accounting affairs by assisting in the development of the Pakistan Institute of Industrial Accountants (now known as the Institute of Cost and Management accountants of Pakistan).

1972 – Became one of the founding member bodies of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC).

1985 – Designation changes from RIA to CMA (Certified Management Accountant).

2000 – Professional Program is revised and renamed the Strategic Leadership Program (SLP) – full program content is now offered electronically through the SLP website.

ii) Provincial and Territorial CMA Associations

About CMA British Columbia

The Canadian Society of Cost Accountants was incorporated by Letters Patent under the Dominion Companies Act in 1920. From the beginning, courses of study in cost accounting and business organization were offered and success on examinations led to certification. However, it became evident that if a standard of competence were to be maintained and recognized, it would be necessary to issue a qualifying designation.

The Certified Management Accountants of British Columbia (CMABC) was incorporated in March 1945. CMABC is recognized as a self-governing professional accounting organization through the Accountants Management Act of British Columbia.

As a self-governing organization, CMABC has earned the privilege of enacting and maintaining professional standards. These standards are reflected in the legislation and in CMABC bylaws and rules of professional conduct.

CMA-Alberta

The Certified Management Accountants of British Columbia (CMA Alberta) was incorporated in March 1944. CMA Alberta is recognized as a self-governing professional accounting organization through the Accountants Management Act of Alberta.

About CMA Alberta

As an integral partner of CMA Canada, CMA Alberta is the self-governing professional organization responsible for the training, accreditation and continuing professional development of CMAs in Alberta. Of CMA Canada’s 47,000 members across Canada and around the world, more than 6,600 CMAs are accredited in Alberta.