CSUB now fifth campus in CSU system with IMA student chapter

Accounting students to explore career options

By California State University, Bakersfield

December 5^th, 2019

CSUB accounting students recently chartered an Institute of Management Accountants chapter to learn about the role of accountants and financial managers in business and explore their career options. Founding board members are Kathleen Valenzuela, president; Di Wu, Ph.D, CMA, CPA.

“We are so excited to have an IMA student chapter on campus,” Valenzuela said. “We see this chapter as a vehicle for organizing management accounting-related activities and events, providing students experiential learning experiences in accounting and connecting students with accountants and financial professionals in business.”

Founded in 1919, IMA is one of the largest and most respected associations focused exclusively on advancing the management accounting profession. IMA has a global network of more than 125,000 members in 150 countries and 300 professional and student chapters.

“As a CSU alumnus, I am really pleased to see another CSU school start an IMA student chapter. Congratulations to CSUB chapter officers and Dr. Di Wu on this achievement,” said Christian Cuzick, chair of IMA’s Global Board and vice president of finance for Johnson & Johnson Vision. “We look forward to supporting the new CSUB chapter and student members through the promotion of management accounting and education.”

According to the IMA’s records, CSUB is the fifth campus in the CSU system to have an IMA student chapter. In June, CSUB accounting students achieved a first-ever feat among West Coast universities by placing in the final four teams of the IMA National Student Case Competition.

"It is truly important to have an IMA student chapter on our campus,” said Angappa Gunasekaran, dean of the School of Business and Public Adminsitration. “This chapter focuses on management accounting education and related career opportunities in business, which will further promote student success in our accounting program. Thanks to the chapter board members and Professor Di Wu for their leadership and volunteerism. The CSUB IMA chapter will receive great support and resources from the School of BPA. We look forward to the chapter success."