Professor Elam

Certification Update

4/21/2025

Serious economic trouble lies ahead.

 

see www.themarketperspective.com

 

Gaining an independently awarded certification will be very important. Here are important links

 

Remember it is far more important to pass one cert than to fail to obtain a difficult one

Get certified in SOMETHING!

 

Overall review articles

https://www.ais-cpa.com/best-accounting-certifications/

https://www.cpaexamguide.com/accounting-career/accounting-careers

34 Professional Certifications

https://accountantsaccelerator.com/34-professional-certifications-accounting-tax-audit/

 

AICPA / Texas State Board of Public Accountancy

CPA four part exam, pre reqs now changing, there are alternatives to 150 hours

https://www.gleim.com/cpa-review/exam-guide/

Note Gleim offers free exam guides, first go to

gleim.com

https://www.gleim.com/

click on accounting products

click on a particular cert

then go to resources and download free exam guide

 

American Management Association

Certified Professional Manager CPM

Just $599, a one part test, this is relatively new, May 2020, best to get in early on such certs, no experience required

https://www.amanet.org/ama-cpm-3-step-value-pack/

Institute Management Accountants

https://www.imanet.org/IMA-Certifications

CMA Certified Management Accountant - two part exam, very practical good world wide, number of CMAs now nearing 150,000

https://www.imanet.org/en/IMA-Certifications/CMA-Certification

Becker added this for the first time ever so they see it as important, Gleim has had reviews for years

CSCA Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis

https://www.imanet.org/en/IMA-Certifications/CSCA-Certification

FMAA Financial and Managerial Accounting Associate one test of 80 m/c questions

Gleim offer review materials, just added, again they would not do so if they did not see this as valuable for the long term

One of our students just passed on first attempt I will be getting an interview with her

think of this as introduction to CPA CIA CMA

 

Institute internal Auditors

Internal Audit Practitioner - pass first of three CIA exam parts

 CIA Certified Internal Auditor CIA a global cert

CRMA Certification in Risk Management Assurance, CIA no longer required no a stand alone exam

ISACA

https://www.isaca.org/credentialing/certifications

CISA Certified Informtion Systems Auditor

CISM Certified Information Security Manager

CRISC Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control

CDPSE  Privacy Laws and Regulation

CGEIT Certified in Governance of Enterprise IT

CCOA Certified Cybersecurity Operations Analyst

CSX-P  Globally Validated Cybersecurity Skills

 

Enrolled Agent

https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/enrolled-agents/become-an-enrolled-agent

EA administered by the IRS itself, a three part exam covering all aspects of federal taxation

no college degree required

https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/enrolled-agents/become-an-enrolled-agent

ACFE Association of Fraud Examiners

CFE Certified Fraud Examiner

https://www.acfe.com/cfe-credential

Valuation Analyst

CVA Certified Valuation Analyst

https://www.nacva.com/cvaqualifications

Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts

https://institutedfa.com/

 

 

 

IMA Student Panel

Wed 2/19/2025

Hello Professor,

The IMA Student Series panel is back! IMA is hosting a virtual panel discussion webinar on March 5th at 7pm EST/6pm Central. During this event, students will have the chance to hear from a diverse group of professionals as they share their experiences and insights on the latest trends and developments in finance and accounting. This semester’s panelists are from Nike, Manulife John Hancock, Freddie George Production Group, Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Not only will you gain valuable insights into these fields, but will also have the opportunity to ask questions and network with the panelists. This is a great opportunity for you to enhance your understanding of the industry, learn from the professionals, and make valuable connections that can help advance your career.

This webinar is open to all students. We will also be recording this webinar for those who cannot attend live. Please register for the webinar to get the recording.

Registration Link: Register Here

Or use think link: https://imanet-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/-EBTQgmoRnqW0knJajV9Bw#/registration

 

CMA Review

11/0/2023

I am asking Mike if this is available later on

 

an Antonio Chapter

Members,

We had a GREAT Lunch N Learn session yesterday with excellent turnout!  We had quite a few members on-line whose schedules don't easily accommodate our regular evening events.  Thanks to Lawrence Coffee for the insightful info.

In addition to our 2 remaining activities for the year (details at bottom), IMA is promoting a FREE CMA review session THIS Saturday morning - 8am CT!

Seats are limited, register now: https://bcertifiedpro.com/courses/cma-usa/
Email us: [email protected]

CMA Part 1: Saturday, December 02, 2023 from 8 AM to 12 PM CT 

 

Sessions include:
- Strategies to answer MCQs and Essays in less time & score high.
- Practice with candidates' MCQs and Essays and guide them through each exam question.
- Go through the right way to approach MCQ and Essay questions using retired actual exam questions as well as simulated tricky questions.
- What to do and not to do on the exam while going through each question.

Upcoming IMA

11/20/2023

Members,

The San Antonio chapter has 3 exciting events in the next 3 weeks!  All details are posted to the website - https://SanAntonio.IMAnet.org.  As always, these events are open to non-members.  So please invite a colleague!

Wednesday, Nov 30th - Lunch N Learn (100% virtual, 1 hr CPE, 12-1pm CT, totally free!): 
AI and Accounting:  Building Better Systems for the Future - presented by Lawrence Coffee

Learning Objectives: 

• Understand the basics of Automation and AI Use Cases in Accounting from Small Business, scaling to Enterprise.
• Challenges facing Data Quality and Self Service in the AI era.
• The Case for AI Governance and the evolving AI Regulatory Landscape.

Friday, Dec 8th - Lunch N Learn (100% virtual, 1 hr CPE, 12-1pm CT, totally free!):
Excel 301 (Intermediate Excel Tips & Tricks) - presented by Brian Butler
Learning Objective: 

• Gain an understanding of how certain Excel functions can be used to establish a DATA FOUNDATION that will result in a meaningful analysis in virtually any setting.

Wednesday, Dec 13th - regular chapter meeting (in person 5:30pm-8pm CT/virtual 6-8pm CT, 2 hrs CPE):  
NOTE THE unusual date:  2nd Wed instead of 3rd Wed due to holidays!
Bending the Curve:  Leading in Unprecedented Times - presented by Michael Loschke
Learning Objectives:

• TBD

Tax Update for 2024 (Federal & Corporate) - presented by Jennifer Larson (former SA Chapter President!)
Learning Objectives:

• TBD

- Mike Lovelace, CMA
co-VP of Member Engagement

CMA Panel Oct 10

10/2/23

October 10^th: IMA Student Series Professional Panel – Are you curious about the exciting profession of accounting and finance and want to learn more about the exciting career paths in the industry? Look no further! Our upcoming panel webinar brings you fresh perspectives and invaluable insights from four young professionals that have all taken different paths in their early careers. This is open to ALL students.

The webinar will be held on Tuesday October 10^th at 4pm PT/7pm ET. Please register using the link here.

Our panelists include:

Mike Casey, CMA, CPA

Associate Finance Manager – Corporate FP&A

Cambell Soup

 

Juan Cortes Perez, CMA, CPA

Senior Associate – Technology Risk

KPMG

 

Megan Rodgers

Financial Analyst

Domino’s

 

Eboni Wilkerson, CMA

Finance Director

Microsoft

 

We hope to see you there! If you want to offer this as extra credit to your students, please let me know and we can pull the information after the webinar to find your students that attended.

 

 

SA IMA Sept 20 2023

9/21/23

The Gangs all here L to R

>Bernadette, Miranda, Ana, Brian

Mike Lovelace drew a big group of students not just locally but out of town virtually as well.

 

SA IMA designated Platinum Chapter

Weekend Sept 17 2023

San Antonio Chapter

Wednesday, Sept 20th, we are having a very special meeting.  If you haven't already registered, please do so ASAP!  If you have, please register a friend or colleague to show off your chapter!  https://SanAntonio.IMAnet.org

We are doing a Students' Night with terrific confirmed Accounting Student attendance from multiple area universities.  

Overflow parking will be across the street.

We have a professional photographer coming to do head shots for your LinkedIn profile, etc.  He will start shooting FIFO at 5pm. He's leaving at 6pm.  Don't procrastinate on coming.  (Members pay just $10!)  

In order to accommodate the increased turn out, we are serving the special fajita dinner buffet style - beginning at 5:15pm!  Something that hasn't happened in a few years:  for those over 21, we will also have red and white wine.  Pay by the glass when you sign in at Old San Francisco Steakhouse.

At 6pm, Chapter President Torey Reese, CMA and I will present Performing an Accounting Systems and Processes Assessment for 1 hour of Technical CPE.  

At 7pm, we are going to introduce some fun and useful web app technology to do a team pub trivia against those in person as well as lots of virtual attendees - including students from multiple universities.  This is tech you could use at your day job.  So it's helpful to see it in action.

ANNOUNCEMENT:
We've just learned that YOUR chapter was recognized by IMA Global as the ONLY chapter in the U.S.A. as a Platinum Chapter of Excellence!  Last year, we were one of just a handful recognized as Gold!  More details will be announced at the meeting, but this is HUGE and reflects the sustained efforts of a succession of world class boards - each building on the momentum it inherited - and an engaged, vibrant chapter membership.

See many of you on Wednesday!

Mike Lovelace, CMA
VP, Member Engagement - SA Chapter
President, Texas Council

SA IMA Wed Sept 20

Tuesday Sept 12 2023

 

This month's meeting (Wednesday, Sept 20th) will be a FUN night!  It will be MORE fun if you attend - and help the chapter put on a good showing.

If you haven't already registered, please do so on the chapter home page:  https://SanAntonio.IMAnet.org.  Either way, share the fun and bring a friend.

We will be hosting university accounting and finance students from across the area in person and virtually across South and Central Texas.

In addition to a beef/chicken/vegetable fajita buffet with beans, rice, guacamole, chips and queso - and sodas for a change, we will also have a dessert bar.

From 5-6pm CT, we will have a professional photographer taking portrait headshots for LinkedIn profiles, etc. 
Students (regardless of membership status):  $10
Members:  $10
Non-members: $15
NOTE:  Pay in person when you sign in.  The photographer will NOT stay past 6pm and will take photos FIFO.  So, don't wait till the last minute to arrive!

From 6-7pm CT, we will have 1 hour of CPE.  Torey Reese, CMA and I will be presenting How to Do an Accounting Systems and Process Assessment.  (This will cover some debits and credits as well as stuff they just don't teach in school - but should!) 

From 7-8pm CT, we will do pub trivia in small teams using a fun interactive technology that will allow the virtual attendees to participate as well.  Sharing this tech with your employer could make you look like a rock star.  So there is tremendous value in learning how it works.

We look forward to seeing you in 8 days!  And please get registered TODAY!  We need to firm up the food order with the caterer.

Mike Lovelace, CMA
VP, Member Engagement

Upcoming CMA Workshops

Mojday Sept 11 2023

Hello,

 

I hope this email finds you well! We are excited for the upcoming Student Series: Accounting and Finance Professional Panel on October 10^th at 7pm ET. If you could please share the registration link with your students, that would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you would like to offer extra credit to your students, please let us know and we can verify they attended the session. I’ve attached a flyer with more information about the panelists.

 

We also wanted to announce another upcoming webinar IMA is hosting along with Learning & Development leaders from top Fortune 100 companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Owens Corning, CVS Health, and Travelers to bring about awareness of Corporate Accounting & Finance careers. On 9/20 at 6pm ET, this one hour webinar will consist of a panel discussion of four young professionals currently in a Finance Leadership Development Program at these respective companies. Whether your students have declared their major or are at least considering accounting or finance, this is a great opportunity for them to learn about the benefits of a rotational program and their career options early on! Please share the attached flyer as you see fit, and you are more than welcome to attend as well!

 

You and your students can register for this webinar here: Register for the Corporate Accounting and Finance Careers Webinar.

 

If you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you for all your help!

 

Best,

 

Tyler Skelton
Business Development Manager

,Learn about the CMA Exam

Wed Sept 6 2023

CMA^® | It Makes All the Difference