Accounting Profession Holds Steady Despite Turbulent Economy According to Latest IMA Salary Survey

Certification within the Profession Offers Reward, Opportunity
MONTVALE, N.J.--(Business Wire)--
As many white-collar professions lose stability amid the economic crisis, one
profession is actually weathering the storm. The average salary of members
participating in the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA®) 20th Annual
Salary Survey held steady compared to last year, Average salary and average
total compensation increased 2.2% and 1.4%, respectively, differences that
aren`t statistically significant. As consistent with previous surveys,
accountants holding professional certifications earned even more - 30% higher in
salary and 37% higher in total compensation - than their noncertified
colleagues. These findings appear in the June 2009 issue of IMA`s Strategic
Finance magazine: www.imanet.org/pdf/06_2009_salary_survey.pdf.

The average salary of IMA members responding to the survey was $104,092. Despite
the weak economy, 71% of members reported salary increases - only three percent
less than 2007. Members holding IMA`s Certified Management Accountant (CMA®)
designation earned 24% more in salary and 31% more in total compensation
compared to noncertified professionals.

IMA`s yearly survey continued to demonstrate the importance of professional
certification to accountants - those who have earned the CMA, Certified Public
Accountant (CPA), or both (CMA/CPA) designations earn far greater compensation
than those with no certification at all. In addition, young professionals enjoy
the financial benefits of CMA certification early in their careers - among
respondents in the 19-29 age category, those with the CMA earned an average of
$72,096, a 21% difference from noncertified professionals in the same category,
who earned $59,496 on average.

"While the economy has forced many corporations to eliminate positions in
previously secure fields, the IMA Salary Survey demonstrates both the stability
and the opportunity within the accounting profession," said Jeff Thomson, IMA
President and CEO. "Professionals and their employers are also realizing
critical benefits from advanced certification, including higher skill levels and
greater ethical cores within finance teams - these attributes being key to both
economic recovery and long-term business sustainability."

IMA`s 20th Annual Salary Survey was mailed to a random sample of more than 4,800
IMA members last December. A total of 1,578 usable questionnaires were returned,
yielding an overall response rate of 33 percent. The survey was conducted by
David L. Schroeder, associate professor of information and decision sciences,
and Karl E. Reichardt, CMA, associate dean and associate professor of
accounting, both at Valparaiso University`s College of Business Administration.

About IMA®

With a worldwide network of about 60,000 professionals, IMA is the world`s
leading organization dedicated to empowering accounting and finance
professionals to drive business performance. IMA provides a dynamic forum for
professionals to advance their careers through Certified Management Accountant
(CMA®) certification, research, professional education, networking, and advocacy
of the highest ethical and professional standards. For more information about
IMA, please visit www.imanet.org.

IMA
Marc Gerrone, 201-474-1502
mgerrone@imanet.org
or
Stern + Associates
Amy Ovsiew, 908-276-4344 ext. 237
amy@sternassociates.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009