#Japan #Tokyo #IMA #FP&A #US-CMA

IMA at the Accounting and Finance Talent Conference 2026

The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), a global association for accounting and finance professionals, actively participated in the Accounting and Finance Talent Conference 2026 held in Tokyo on July 5, 2026. The event included an exhibition booth and a special session led by Shin’ya Konishi, co-representative of IMA Japan, discussing "US-CMA Credentials and FP&A." The session primarily focused on the demand for FP&A (Financial Planning and Analysis) professionals in Japan and the evolving role of finance professionals in the age of AI.

Session Highlights

1. Demand for FP&A in Japanese Companies and US-CMA Trends
Presenter: Yoshikazu Ishibashi, Co-Representative of IMA Japan
Ishibashi pointed out that only about 500 out of roughly 1,600 listed Japanese companies have executives titled as CFO (Chief Financial Officer), with many remaining in traditional accounting roles. He warned that the absence of FP&A, which links business strategy with finance, poses significant challenges for Japanese companies.

> "The lack of effective CFOs and FP&A professionals hinders the enhancement of corporate value through finance-accounting alignment. The core of management lies in designing and operating management processes that directly capture and execute business strategies to enhance business value."

He emphasized the importance of implementing rolling forecasts and integrated business planning grounded in revenue. He also highlighted the usefulness of the US-CMA credential, which can now be taken in Japanese, in cultivating FP&A professionals in Japan.

2. Support from IMA for Management Accountants in the AI Era
Presenter: Peter J. Dolan, Honorary Chair of the IMA Global Board
Dolan explored the impact of AI on finance functions, a topic attracting attention from finance leaders worldwide. He foresaw a future where AI would automate many time-consuming data collection and aggregation tasks, allowing finance professionals to focus on advanced forecasting and risk management.

> "AI will reduce the time spent on data collection and aggregation, enabling a focus on understanding the data's implications and making informed decisions. In the AI era, the differentiating factor will be whether an organization possesses clean data, robust governance, and can effectively leverage AI."

He stressed that human judgment and ethics are critical in eliminating poor-quality data, along with the continuous improvement of skills, pointing out that IMA provides the educational foundation for this.

3. Career Journey with US-CMA Credential
Presenter: Nina Michels-Kim, Director of the IMA Global Board
Michels-Kim shared her experiences from building her FP&A and controlling career in the pharmaceutical industry in Switzerland. She reflected on how obtaining the US-CMA credential while working full time became a benchmark of her expertise and trustworthiness, leading to broader responsibilities and leadership opportunities.

> "What I learned from US-CMA was not just analyzing numbers, but the ability to explain their significance in business decisions. As FP&A professionals, we are the 'CFO whisperers,' turning data and analysis into insights and bridging business with finance."

She celebrated FP&A as not just a stepping stone towards becoming a CFO, but as a vital leadership position that supports the entire organization and encouraged participants to pursue this path.

Establishment of the FP&A Talent Forum

During the conference, IMA Japan announced a strategic partnership with CPA Excellent Partners Co., Ltd., co-founding the “FP&A Talent Forum.” This forum will be chaired by Kunio Ito, Director of the CFO Education Research Center at Hitotsubashi University, and will involve CFOs and leaders from major domestic companies. Its goal is to promote the establishment of FP&A practices that are in high demand in Japanese companies and to advance management accuracy through the dissemination of the US-CMA credential. For more details, visit here.

About IMA

The Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) is a global organization positioned at the intersection of accounting, finance, and business strategy, creating new standards for financial proficiency across the workforce and striving for better career and business outcomes. Through high-quality content from professionals, industry-recognized certifications, and a worldwide professional community, IMA offers knowledge, tools, and connections necessary for career growth and sustainable success for organizations and individuals at every career stage. IMA supports future-focused skill development through its competency framework, continuing education, and various certifications, including CMA (Certified Management Accountant), CSCA (Certified in Strategy and Competitive Analysis), and FMAA (Financial and Managerial Accounting Associate). Recognized twice as "Professional Body of the Year" by The Accountant/International Accounting Bulletin, IMA boasts a global network of approximately 125,000 members and over 200 professional and student chapters across 150 countries. Headquartered in Montville, New Jersey, USA, it provides localized services through six global regions: North America, China, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, India, and Asia Pacific. To learn more about IMA, visit here, and for information on US-CMA, visit here.