CIMA reassures members of the public with introduction of new ADR Service

18 January 2007

CIMA is delighted to announce the launch of a brand new service for members of the general public. With effect from 2 January 2007, CIMA now offers an independent Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR service) to help resolve any service-related disputes with (UK) CIMA members.

CIMA's position as the authoritative voice of professional accountants in business has enabled it to play an important role in maintaining confidence in the accountancy profession. The launch last year of the CIMA Code of Ethics and revised CPD policy, coupled with its open and transparent disciplinary process, are evidence of its leading and innovative approach to professional standards. This new service reiterates CIMA's commitment to the protection and promotion of the public interest.

Robin Vaughan, Director of Professional Standards at CIMA said:

'CIMA ensures the highest ethical standards of our members and students and has a commitment to fulfil its obligation as a Chartered Institute to protect the public interest. We are delighted to be able to offer this new service as part of CIMA's impressive portfolio of public interest measures.'

The ADR service offers two routes to resolving concerns; conciliation in the first instance, followed by arbitration where conciliation has been unsuccessful. It is available in respect of UK members of CIMA who are members in practice (i.e. offering any accountancy services to a person who is not their employer) but not in respect of disputes involving members in business or CIMA registered students.

The ADR scheme is being run on CIMA's behalf by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).

Full details of the scheme including the rules, fee structures and application forms are available for reference and to download from the CIMA website.

ENDS

For media queries please contact:

Claire Grewer
Press Officer, CIMA
+44 (0) 20 8849 2300
Claire.Grewer@cimaglobal.com

Notes to editors

1. CIMA (the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) is the only international accountancy body with a sole focus on business. It is a world leading professional institute that offers an internationally recognised qualification in management accountancy, focusing on accounting in business, in both the private and public sectors. CIMA is the voice of over 158,000 members and students in 161 countries and is responsible for the education and training of management accountants who work in industry, commerce and not-for-profit and has more members in the public sector than any other UK based body. CIMA prides itself on the commercial relevance of its syllabus, which is in tune with the activities of high performance organisations, and evolves continually to reflect the latest developments in global business. It is committed to upholding the highest ethical and professional standards of members and students, and to maintaining public confidence in management accountancy. For more information about CIMA, please visit www.cimaglobal.com

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