CIMA launches first African Centre of Excellence

The output of this innovative research centre will include accounting research papers and local and regional case study material that will position CIMA as the experts in the field of management accounting, both regionally and globally. CIMA COE Africa is a collaborative project with universities, the public sector and key industry players. CIMA has previously launched successful Centres of Excellence in South East Asia and Australasia.

A mechanism to grow applied research and satisfy industry needs

Says Noel Tagoe, executive director of CIMA Education: "It is important to have research with a focus on management accounting in this region because CIMA will then be able to better understand employers' needs in the region and continue to offer a truly global industry-relevant syllabus and CPD resources appropriate for this region.

"The objective of the CIMA COE Africa is to establish a mechanism to support and grow new applied research relating to management accounting in Africa to satisfy industry needs. In addition, we aim to continue to position the CIMA brand within the accounting field in this region and increase the awareness of the benefits of using management accounting tools and concepts to gain a competitive edge in business."

A member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ghana, Tagoe's career spans a mix of 'hands on' accounting with BP and KPMG Consulting and a range of academic experience as a university lecturer on undergraduate, postgraduate and executive programmes at the Universities of Dundee, Manchester, University College Dublin and, more recently, at the Saïd Business School, Oxford University and the University of Reading. Tagoe's research specialism includes the interface between accounting and strategy and the ethics of economic interactions.

Applications for research grants are welcomed from researchers in any sub-Saharan African country and research grants of up to £5000 per approved research project will be provided by CIMA to the COE to support the research. The process will be governed by a research panel of approximately eight academics that will set research themes in line with CIMA's global research strategy and objectives, and call for applications. CIMA will review local research proposals, select plans and award the grants.

The process will include regular advice and supervision on the chosen research submission and presenting the research outcome to the public sector and selected organisations in CIMA's African markets. Furthermore, the research reports of successful projects will be published by the COE to further enhance the knowledge resources in the region.

Improving management accounting performance

The COE may also obtain endorsement from the public sector and/or co-badge the research publication with selected organisations in order to launch the research publication and encourage and assist organisations to adopt the research results by implementing the research outcomes to gain competitive advantage. CIMA and the COE will monitor and gather feedback on the execution of the research outcomes implemented by organisations across the region.

Says Tagoe: "All panelists are selected based on their merits to serve in the COE and are invited to be a member by the COE project manager. CIMA has identified experienced accounting researchers within South Africa, particularly those with keen interest in the management accounting discipline to form the initial panel."

The panelists include:

• Prof Pieter Buys North-west University PhD (Acc), PhD (Mgt Acc), MCom (Mgt Acc), MBA, CMA, professor and program leader for Accountancy Research at the North-West University in Potchefstroom (academic/practitioner)
  
• Dr James W. Otter (FCMA, CGMA) practitioner, contracted as senior researcher - Department of Applied Accountancy, University of South Africa
  
• Prof Anton du Toit CA(SA), (RA), director: Accountancy Studies, Monash
  
• Prof Kurt Sartorius, M Com, D Com, CIMA, research co-ordinator at Wits University
  
• Andries Merino BSc (Econ), MSc (Econ), ACMA, CGMA (lead panel member) and senior lecturer at Wits University
  
• Dr Sanlie Middelberg (ACMA) (CGMA), senior lecturer, North West University
  
• Adele Oosthuizen MCom (Financial Management), CA(SA), ACMA, CGMA, lecturer at The University of Johannesburg

Concludes Tagoe: "Growing opportunities for management accounting research in Africa is CIMA's preferred way to enhance the profession of management accounting and create unique research which paves the way for improved business performance on the continent, whilst showcasing the talents of accounting researchers from Africa."

For more information on how to apply for research grants, email Caretha Laubscher, CIMA education manager at moc.labolgamic@rehcsbuaL.ahteraC.