The Ministry of Finance has formalized a strategic memorandum of understanding with the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) in the United States. This agreement aims to introduce the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Financial Management and Analysis Assistant (FMAA) certifications. These initiatives reflect the ministry’s commitment to equipping the national workforce with world-class professional standards in accounting and financial management.
This move is part of the ministry’s ambitious agenda to foster professional excellence within the governmental financial sector. By enabling employees to achieve prestigious international certifications, the ministry seeks to contribute to financial sustainability and enhance performance at the federal level.
The memorandum was signed at the Ministry of Finance’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi, attended by key officials including Younis Haji Al Khoori, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance; Mariam Al Amiri, the Assistant Undersecretary for Government Financial Management; Amina Al Shamsi, Director of Financial Policy and Government Accounting Standards; Izzat Al Jasmi, Director of Government Communication; Ahmad Makhlouf, Senior Director of Operations at IMA for the Middle East; and Amer Al Hababi, Head of the IMA branch in Abu Dhabi and a global board member of the institute in the USA.
Younis Haji Al Khoori emphasized that the collaboration aligns with the ministry’s strategy to enhance national financial competencies, thereby promoting leadership in public finance and sustainable development. He underscored the importance of investing in human capital, noting that these certifications help build specialized, high-level capabilities that support the nation’s shift toward a knowledge-based and sustainable economy.
He further stated that obtaining global professional certifications, such as CMA and FMAA, exemplifies the Ministry of Finance’s dedication to elevating the skills and professional standards of those working in the federal financial sector. This initiative will also promote transparency and efficiency in managing government resources in accordance with international best practices.
According to the memorandum, advanced professional training programs will be provided, offering the CMA and FMAA certifications, which will enhance the professional competencies of the national workforce in the financial and accounting sectors and establish a foundation for outstanding institutional performance.
The memorandum also encompasses collaboration in exchanging professional insights and consulting on international trends and initiatives in business and accounting.
This memorandum signing builds upon the ministry’s previous successes in initiatives designed to qualify national competencies, having already trained over 145 Emirati employees in collaboration with other international institutions in areas such as accounting standards, public finance, and financial sustainability.