Beyond its advanced training program, the IMA provides a strong global network for management accounting professionals. This network is organized in the form of numerous local IMA chapters. Great efforts of several CMA holders and the support of the ACA-HSG (Institute of Accounting, Control and Auditing) made it possible to establish the first official IMA Swiss chapter – the IMA Switzerland Chapter – in the summer of 2009. In addition to intensifying networking activities among Swiss domiciled CMA holders, the IMA Switzerland Chapter also organizes and coordinates courses that qualify for CPE credits.
The IMA Switzerland Chapter represents a corner stone within IMA's European expansion plans. On their four day visit to Switzerland in May 2010, Jeff Thomson (IMA President & CEO) and Jim Gurowka (IMA Vice-President of International Business Development) emphasized the IMA Switzerland Chapter's important role within the IMA network. One highlight of their journey to Switzerland was their meeting with master level students of the IMAC course at the University of St.Gallen (see account of IMA Staff Visit). Four recent CMA medal winners are from this institution, which also sponsors a CMA review course (IMAC) with an active pool of CMA candidates.
Shortly after, in November 2010, Prof. Sandra Richtermeyer (IMA Global 2010-2011 Chair) met with representatives from the University of St.Gallen and addressed a group of approximately 140 graduate students about the value of CMA certification (see account of IMA Chair Visits Europe).