February 2021 - Strategic Finance

AI for Decision Analysis

Management accountants who engage with technology can use AI to maximize their organization’s decision support capabilities.

Closing the Diversity Gap

The accounting profession, especially its leadership, needs to achieve greater equity and inclusion to close the diversity gap.

Feedback with Feeling

Managers who use emotional language effectively in performance reports can motivate employees to step up their game.

Managing Digital Transformation

The digitalization of the finance function creates challenges for companies, but there are potential rewards.

Chart a Path Forward

If you study hard and think strategically, then you can pass the CSCA and earn a seat at your organization’s strategy table.

IMA: Volunteerism Blossoms in China

Chinese finance professionals respond enthusiastically to IMA’s career-development resources, continuing education, and more.

Bridging the Gender Pay Gap

Traditional compensation structures have perpetuated the gender pay gap, so ethical companies should scrutinize theirs.

Causal Language and Effective Performance Evaluations

Low-performing employees can learn from feedback couched in causal language and improve their subsequent performance.

It’s Time for Automation

Small business owners have considerable incentive to implement advanced technology enabling automation.

Excel: Format Numbers with Flash Fill

Microsoft enables Excel users to convert data into a different format or add multiple decimal points using the Flash Fill feature.

Tools of the Trade: February 2021

Four computers that debuted at CES 2021: Lenovo Yoga AIO 7, Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2, HP Elite Folio, and HP Elite Dragonfly Max.

The Need to Understand Machine Learning

With the widespread adoption of machine learning, there’s a need for users to understand the technology on a conceptual level.

Taxes: Livestock Sold on Account of Drought

Taxpayers who sell livestock due to weather-related conditions can get an extension of the replacement period.

The New Era of AutoML

Machine learning is both an art and a science, and continuing education is necessary for finance professionals to master it.

IMA Life: International Validation

Strong management accounting is a key to success; earning the CMA is a path to achieve global recognition.

IMA Hosts RPA Roundtable in China

IMA hosted a roundtable discussion in China on RPA’s sustainable path toward the foundation of a transformed finance function.

SEC Makes Significant 10-K/20-F Reporting Changes

The SEC proposed changes to focus financial disclosures on material investor information and simplify registrant compliance.

Books: Rethink your Organization’s Performance

Finding the proper metrics to evaluate organizations’ progress toward achieving sustainability is challenging but necessary.

Welcome, New CMAs: December 2020

The ICMA is proud to announce the list of IMA members who earned their CMA certification in December 2020.

Notice of Termination

The IMA Committee on Ethics voted to terminate the membership of an individual for ethics violations.