IMA’s Inaugural China Salary Survey Cites Financial Benefits of Certification

MONTVALE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The results from the first IMA^® (Institute of Management Accountants) China Salary Survey reveal that, just like their U.S. counterparts, management accountants in China who hold the CMA^® (Certified Management Accountant) credential have greater earning potential than their non-CMA-certified peers.

The survey, which received more than 900 responses from professionals in several regions of China, found that several trends identified in the U.S. Salary Survey are even more pronounced in China, including:

• Chinese accountants holding CMA certification earn an average of 34 percent more in total compensation than non-CMAs. In the U.S., individuals with CMAs earn 26 percent more than non-CMAs.
• The impact on young professionals (19-29 years old) was also more pronounced, as Chinese CMA-holding professionals in this group earn an average of 42 percent more in total compensation than non-CMAs, while American young professionals earn 30 percent more than their non-CMA peers.

“The findings in this first survey of China provide a valuable benchmarking tool for businesses in the U.S. and for professional accountants worldwide,” said Raef Lawson, PhD., CMA, CPA, CFA, IMA vice president of research who led the study. “As the importance of the management accounting profession continues to rise on a global scale, the need for proper training and certification also increases and builds the career potential for accountants.”

The full survey is available in the October edition of Strategic Finance magazine. A PDF of the survey’s findings can be found here: http://www.imanet.org/PDFs/Public/General/10_2012_lawson.pdf.

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.