IBSS and IMA Sign MOU to Jointly Cultivate International Accounting Talents

On 14 April, 2025, the International Business School Suzhou (IBSS) of Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) and the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at IBSS, marking a new phase in their strategic cooperation in the field of accounting talent cultivation. This collaboration will provide IBSS students with a convenient pathway to the CMA (Certified Management Accountant) and FMAA (Finance and Management Accounting Associate) certifications, thereby enhancing their career development and international competitiveness.

At the signing ceremony, Miumiu Zhang, Director of Cooperation and Development of IMA East China, and Professor Jorg Bley, Dean of International Business School Suzhou, jointly signed the memorandum. According to the cooperation agreement, the two parties will carry out multidimensional cooperation in the areas of talent cultivation, academic research, and industry practice, including promoting CMA/FMAA certifications, establishing special scholarships, organizing student case competitions, and launching corporate mentorship programmes.

Professor Jorg Bley and Miumiu Zhang jointly signed the MOU and exchanged gifts

Professor Bley emphasized in his speech that the cooperation with IMA is an important measure for the school to implement the concept of "industry-education integration." He said, "By introducing IMA's global resources, students will not only be able to master cutting-edge management accounting knowledge but also adapt to workplace demands in advance through practice projects, industry competitions, and guidance from corporate mentors." Professor Bley also mentioned that IMA, with a history of over a century, enjoys a prestigious reputation worldwide. Meanwhile, IBSS became one of the only 136 business schools globally to obtain the triple crown accreditation of AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS in 2023. This cooperation is a win-win situation for both parties.

Richard Li, Vice President and Chief Representative of IMA China, pointed out that IMA has always been committed to promoting professional development in the field of management accounting. This cooperation with IBSS not only provides international certification support for XJTLU students but also injects new momentum into the cultivation of management accounting talents in China.

Richard Li attended online and delivered the opening speech

Subsequently, Professor Bley and Miumiu Zhang jointly presented CMA scholarships to nine students from IBSS to recognize their outstanding performance in both academics and practice. Ruiheng Zhang, a senior majoring in accounting, spoke on behalf of the scholarship recipients, expressing his sincere gratitude for this valuable recognition and opportunity. He also reviewed his personal growth journey with IMA. He talked about how his experience, from initially getting to know management accounting to actively participating in CMA studies and various offline activities, not only broadened his professional horizons but also strengthened his determination to further develop in the field of finance and accounting. He said, "The real industry experience shared by the industry mentors from the CMA Suzhou Elite Club is like a compass, guiding me to clarify my development direction and plan my capability improvement path. It can be said that the IMA association has become my window to observe the industry, allowing me to see further, think deeper, and walk more steadily."

Yanyu Weng, a sophomore majoring in accounting at IBSS, was appointed as the CMA Campus Ambassador. She will assist in promoting school-enterprise cooperative activities and help her peers with career growth. In addition, a student team from IBSS successfully advanced to the East China Regional Final of the IMA Student Case Competition this year, demonstrating solid professional capabilities and team spirit. Team members said that through the competition, they not only gained a deep understanding of the application of ESG in enterprise management but also enhanced their data analysis and team collaboration skills, and learned to solve problems from a practical business perspective.

In her closing remarks, Dr Lingyan Zuo, programme director of the BA Accounting programme at IBSS, reviewed the cooperation between the two parties. "Since 2020, IMA has provided a total of 48 scholarships for IBSS students and continuously empowered students' practical ability growth through case competitions, the CMA Suzhou Elite Club, guest lectures, and industry mentors." She further emphasized that the signing of this strategic cooperation agreement is a new starting point for the cooperation between the two parties. In the future, they will be committed to developing more cooperation channels, including strengthening the promotion by student ambassadors, participating in IMA endorsement programme, promoting the publication of research results in IMA’s case journals, and holding academic summits and industry forums.

The signing of this agreement is not only a milestone in the cooperation between IBSS and IMA but also sets an example for the deep integration of management accounting education and practice in China. The two parties will work together to cultivate accounting elites with a global vision and practical capabilities to promote the sustainable development of the industry.