President's Message

Dear IMA Members and Future Leaders,

As we embark on the new fiscal year, I am filled with anticipation and enthusiasm for what lies ahead. The IMA Philippines Chapter is set to continue its journey of excellence and innovation in FY 2024-2025. Our commitment to delivering a stronger, more impactful presence in the Philippines remains unwavering.

Key Strategic Focus for FY 2024-2025:

1. Widening Our Reach and Increasing Membership: This year, we aim to broaden our outreach across the country. Through targeted campaigns, community engagement, and partnerships with industry leaders, we will work to attract new members who are passionate about advancing their careers in accounting and finance. We are also exploring initiatives to better engage underrepresented regions.

2. Enhancing Member Engagement: We will amplify our efforts to foster a more interactive and supportive environment for all members. By hosting a variety of events, including webinars with esteemed global speakers, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities, we will ensure that every member finds value in their participation. We also plan to develop member-driven forums for sharing knowledge and best practices.

3. Building a Stronger Community: We are dedicated to strengthening our chapter’s community through collaborative initiatives with other IMA chapters across the Asia Pacific region. This year, we will actively seek out opportunities to engage with global chapters, leveraging their insights and experiences to enrich our own practices and create a unified network of IMA professionals. We will also initiate regional meet-ups to foster closer connections.

4. Increasing the Value of Membership: Our focus will be on delivering programs and services that resonate with our members' needs. This includes custom-tailored CPE and non-CPE events, the Annual IMA Philippines Summit, the Student Leadership Conference, and exciting new podcasts that delve into relevant business topics. We will also introduce member-exclusive resources and tools to enhance your professional development.

5. Expanding Volunteer Leadership: We are eager to grow our pool of volunteer leaders who will act as IMA ambassadors, representing our chapter with pride and dedication. If you have a passion for leadership and community service, we invite you to join us in this transformative journey. We are also introducing mentorship programs to support and develop emerging leaders within our chapter.

6. Reaching Out to Academic Institutions: We will continuously engage with schools and universities to promote the IMA and the CMA certification. By establishing and growing IMA Student Chapters across the country, we aim to foster a new generation of accounting and finance professionals who are well-prepared to lead and innovate in their fields. We will collaborate with educational institutions to align our programs with industry needs.

7. Promoting Diversity and Inclusion: We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment within our chapter. We will implement initiatives to ensure that all voices are heard and valued, including creating diversity-focused events, supporting inclusive leadership development programs, and establishing a diversity and inclusion committee.

8. Enhancing Professional Standards and Ethics: To uphold the highest standards in our profession, we will introduce workshops and seminars focused on ethics, compliance, and professional conduct. These initiatives will aim to reinforce the importance of ethical behavior and continuous improvement in our field.

9. Strengthening Industry Partnerships: We will seek to build stronger relationships with industry associations, regulatory bodies, and corporate partners. These collaborations will help us stay at the forefront of industry developments, provide valuable networking opportunities, and enhance our chapter’s overall impact.

Achieving Our Focus Areas:

Program Development: Collaborate with industry partners and various sectors to create impactful and relevant programs for our growing community, ensuring alignment with emerging industry trends and member interests.

Event Coordination: Host high-caliber webinars, conferences, and networking events that provide value and foster connections among members, incorporating feedback to continuously improve our offerings.

Volunteer Recruitment: Encourage and support members in taking on leadership roles, thereby expanding our network of dedicated volunteers. We will also provide training and resources to help them succeed in their roles.

Academic Outreach: Partner with educational institutions to introduce the IMA and CMA certification, and expand our Student Chapters to build a robust pipeline of future professionals. We will also develop joint initiatives to enhance the educational experience of students.

Diversity and Inclusion: Launch initiatives to promote a diverse and inclusive environment within our chapter and support members from all backgrounds.

Professional Standards and Ethics: Offer resources and training to uphold and advance ethical practices and professional standards in accounting and finance.

Industry Partnerships: Establish and strengthen relationships with key industry stakeholders to enhance our chapter’s influence and relevance.

This fiscal year, we are placing a significant emphasis on the power of collaboration. By actively engaging with our global IMA chapters, we will strengthen our ties, share best practices, and drive collective success. This collaborative spirit will enhance our chapter’s activities, amplify our impact, and build a more cohesive global IMA community.

I invite all members and potential volunteers to actively participate in our initiatives. Your involvement is crucial to our success and will help shape the future of accounting and finance in the Philippines. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer leader or have any questions, please reach out to us at philippines@imachapter.org.

Together, we will drive innovation, foster growth, and continue to make a profound impact. Let us make FY 2024-2025 a year of unparalleled achievement and progress. I look forward to working with each of you to advance our chapter’s mission and celebrate our shared successes. As Peter Drucker said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

Best regards,

Arriane Steffi Bacon, CMA (U.S.), CLSSGB 

President

IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants)

Philippines Chapter

philippines@imachapter.org