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Millersville University’s accounting program has earned endorsement by the Institute of Management Accountants®, one of the largest associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession.
The IMA Higher Education Endorsement Program recognizes accounting programs that meet high educational standards, enabling students to pursue and earn the Certified Management Accountant® credential.
“Endorsement by IMA signals to students, employers and industry partners that our program meets rigorous, profession-aligned standards,” says Dr. Brian Trout ’00, associate professor of accounting and finance at Millersville. “This recognition reflects both the depth of our curriculum and our commitment to preparing students for real-world roles in corporate accounting and strategic decision-making, while strengthening the program’s national visibility and recruiting appeal.”
“Beyond scholarships, students gain enhanced access to IMA’s global professional network, including exposure to practicing management accountants, industry leaders and career development resources,” says Trout. “The endorsement also strengthens opportunities for students to pursue the CMA credential with structured faculty support while still in their undergraduate program. These benefits help our accounting students graduate with professional momentum, clearer career pathways and credentials that distinguish them in the job market.”
“Having passed both parts of the CMA exam has been a meaningful differentiator before I take the Certified Public Accountant route,” says Yash Kothari, a senior accounting major. “These professional certificates demonstrate one’s seriousness and commitment to the accounting profession, and they certainly set you apart from the non-CPA/CMA counterparts. These credentials speak for you before you actually get an interview call – they demonstrate discipline, perseverance, dedication and effective time management. There is no doubt that these credentials equate to technical expertise, but I also feel they put across your soft skills much before you do so.
“Additionally, Millersville professors have always been genuinely invested in my success, not only from a classroom perspective, but in helping me navigate career choices as well,” says Kothari. “They care not only about the student’s GPA, but their overall well-being.”
To qualify for endorsement by IMA, programs must meet the following criteria: 1) substantially cover the CMA exam content; 2) have adequate faculty resources to deliver this content; 3) be accredited by a recognized accreditation organization; and (4) include a faculty member designated as an IMA Campus Advocate.
The globally recognized CMA program is a relevant assessment of advanced accounting and financial management knowledge in areas such as financial planning, analysis, control and decision support – each of which is increasingly critical in meeting the changing needs of business and, therefore, essential learning for accounting and finance students.
Want to learn more about Millersville’s accounting program? Click here.
