Institute of Management Accountants renews associate membership with ASEAN Federation of Accountants
The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) has formally renewed its associate membership with the ASEAN Federation of Accountants (AFA), reinforcing its commitment to regional collaboration within South East Asia's accounting sector. The announcement highlights the continuing partnership between the IMA and the federation that comprises national accounting bodies from ten South East Asian countries.
The AFA’s mission centres on fostering cooperation among its member organisations to support the economic, social, and cultural progress of the region. As an associate member, the IMA aims to play a significant role in shaping the development of accounting practices not only within the region but also with a global perspective.
Doan Xuan Tien, the president of the AFA, spoke of the benefits of this renewed engagement in a statement to The Accountant Online. He said: “IMA brings impactful contributions to the region, through active collaboration as an AFA member, with its growth mindset, new offerings to its members and organisations in our member countries, and the development of accounting talent throughout South East Asia. We look forward to continuing our work together and to have Joscel as the IMA delegate.”
In this collaborative venture, Joscel Delos Cielos, the chairman of the IMA Philippines Chapter and Apeiron, has been appointed as the official IMA delegate to the AFA. Delos Cielos will contribute particularly to the AFA Working Committee 2 on Thought Leadership, representing the IMA’s interests and expertise.
Since joining the AFA in 2019, the IMA has maintained active engagement with other accounting bodies affiliated with the federation, participating in various research initiatives that address region-specific issues in South East Asia. The organisation's approach includes producing high-quality research, organising informative events, and publishing insightful reports aimed at advancing the practice and understanding of management accounting across the member countries.
Mike DePrisco, president and CEO of the IMA, commented on the partnership and future prospects: “Our work with AFA has enhanced the IMA member experience in South East Asia with collaborations, thought leadership and networking opportunities. I would like to thank Joscel for taking on the important role of being a delegate for our organisation and seeing what new opportunities we can continue to uncover.”
In related industry insights, a recent survey conducted jointly by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the IMA revealed a dip in global accountants’ confidence at the start of 2025. The Q1 2025 Global Economic Conditions Survey indicated that confidence levels fell to their lowest since the second quarter of 2020, although this decrease was less severe compared to the drop recorded in the final quarter of 2024. This data offers a perspective on the broader economic sentiments influencing accounting professionals worldwide.