In: Accounting
what type of professional cost management organization and explain their role
In the private sector, the Financial Accounting Standards Board,
an independent organization, and the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) supply guidance regarding
financial
reporting practices. The Sarbanes-Okley Act of 2002 also created
the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board which reports to the
SEC to oversee auditing standards and practices. The AICPA
also
provides educational opportunities. In the public sector, The Cost
Accounting Standards Board (CASB) sets cost accounting standards
for those doing business with the federal government, especially
defense contractors. The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)
is the principal organization devoted primarily to management
accountants in the United States. The IMA has
magazines,newsletters, research reports, management accounting
practice reports, professional development seminars, and monthly
technical meetings that serve the broad purpose of providing
continuing educational opportunities for management accountants. In
Canada, the Society of Management Accountants provides a similar
role.
Similar organizations are present in most other countries around
the world. The Financial Executive Institute (FEI) provides
services much like the IMA for financial managers, including
controllers and
treasurers. Because of the nature of its membership, the FEI tends
to focus on management and operational control issues, and less on
the product costing, planning, and decision-making
functions.