May 2018

Canton IMA

STARK RAVINGS
The Newsletter of the IMA Canton Chapter

May 2018

http://canton.imanet.org

Jeff Walters, President
Cullen Bahler, Editor

In this issue:

This Month's Tech Sessions
Strategic Finance
Webinar Schedule
IMA Technical Sessions

 

Connect with Us!

Do you have info to share with our chapter? Email it to info@cantonima.org. If you wish a colleague to receive these announcements, send an email to info@cantonima.org and we will add them to our announcement list.

Please Join Us!
Tuesday, May 15th| 5:00 - 7:30 pm
Kozmo's Grille: 37 1st St SW, Massillon OH 44647 (directions)

Deadline registration: Friday, May 11th, 5:00 pm

Pre-Dinner Technical Session (5:00 - 6:00 pm):
Accounting for Growth
and Success in the Snack Food IndustryShearer's

Presented by Ryan Barkan, Shearer’s Snacks

 

After-Dinner Technical Session (6:30 - 7:30): 
Economic Development Impact
of Tax Reform

Presented by Jeff Walters, Managing Director,
CBIZ MHM, LLC

 

Please use the following link to email your reservation and meal choice of fish, steak, chicken or vegetarian plate. Be sure to note your name, company and meal choice on the email. 
The cost is $30 for members/guests and $15 for students. 
Click here to email Chris Holmes with your meal choice

Once you have emailed your meal choice, you can click here to pre-pay
or you can pay by credit card at the meeting.

Strategic Finance
IMA Life: The Payoff of Early Exams

By Daniel O’Laughlin, CMA, CPA/ABV

My CMA® (Certified Management Accountant) story began in the fourth year of my 3/2 (bachelor’s/ master’s) accountancy degree at the University of Denver. I had switched my major from finance a few years prior but had never lost interest in the subject. That interest, paired with the challenge and holistic approach to business offered by the accountancy program, led me to an unflinching professional goal: to become a versatile and accomplished business advisor in my chosen field.

In my fourth year, I struggled through cost accounting. Although discouraged by a subpar grade, I felt determined to prove my management accounting abilities. I could have waited to take the next level, but my drive to become more agile and multifaceted in my craft, as well as prove to others I had the requisite skill set to succeed, drove me to take action right away.

This desire brought me to IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) and the CMA. The certification was suggested by one of my professors. The CMA could help me tout my interest in finance to employers without having to add a minor to my coursework.

I studied relentlessly over winter break and passed both parts of the exam the following quarter. Six months later, recruiting commenced.
I was eager to demonstrate to employers both my comprehensive qualifications and multifaceted interests within the accounting field as a result of passing the CMA exam.

I accepted a position with RSM LLP’s business valuation practice. RSM is the leading provider of accounting, tax, and business consulting to the middle market. The fact that I passed the CMA exam while finishing the University of Denver’s 3/2 accountancy program undoubtedly paved the way to an offer for a consulting position in an esteemed firm right out of college, an achievement I take a lot of pride in. Business valuation requires consultants who are well-versed in both accounting and finance. We deal with the strategic, operational, and financial affairs of the businesses we serve and value just about any asset or liability from inventory to options.

After having met the requirement for two years of work experience, I officially earned my CMA certification around the same time I became a CPA (Certified Public Accountant). Having both certifications demonstrates to clients that I have foundational understanding of both their internal and external accounting and finance issues and how those impact the rest of their business operations. The CMA, paired with my CPA, allows me to concentrate on what makes my clients unique in the accounting and finance arena, and, in turn, I deliver a more tailored and complete solution. My clients have confidence in my services. They feel understood and advised.

Taking both parts of the CMA exam while completing my degree and earning other certifications early in my career relieved a great deal of pressure going forward. Additionally, it has placed me in the best possible standing among my peers and from the perspective of my employer and clients. I’ve had opportunities to work with teams and value assets all across the world.

Plus, there’s always the side benefit of not having to take many more tests!

To view the website, click here: http://sfmagazine.com/post-entry/april-2018-ima-life-the-payoff-of-early-exams/

Webinar Schedule

You will earn CMA and CPE credits when you attend any live webinar. Replay webinars are available in the archive but do not earn credits. Advance registration is recommended—IMA webinars are popular and fill up quickly.

Building a "Data" Company via Data Modeling and Analytics
Inside Talk
April 30, 2018 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM

Transformational Leadership
Leadership Academy
May 01, 2018 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM

Diversity & Inclusion: What’s Really Important to Gen Y & Z
Inside Talk
May 07, 2018 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM

Best Practices and Recommendations to Attract and Retain the New Workforce
Inside Talk
May 15, 2018 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM

Adopting the Right Organizational Culture
Inside Talk
May 30, 2018 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM

Register for Any Webinar

Join Us at IMA Technical Sessions

2017-2018 tech sessions will be held at Kozmo's Grille with the exceptions noted below. There are two hour-long sessions beginning at 5:00 and 6:30 and dinner in between.

  • May 15, 2018

Cost for dinner is $30 regardless of the location. Please look for invite emails with registration information prior to each meeting.

Schedule:

  • Social/Networking at 4:45 pm
  • Pre-Dinner Technical Session at 5:00 pm
  • Dinner at 6:00 pm
  • Post-Dinner Technical Session at 6:30 pm

© 2010-2018 Institute of Management Accountants - Canton Ohio Chapter # 155. All rights reserved.
info@cantonima.org

The mission of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) is to provide a forum for research, practice development, education,
knowledge sharing, and the advocacy of the highest ethical and best business practices in management accounting and finance.
Please join us as we promote this mission in the greater Canton, Ohio, area.