IMA 2013 International Salary Survey Report
Summary
The article, written by Raef Lawson, examines the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) global survey of management accounting professionals. The survey was part of the IMA’s international expansion regarding the examination of salaries and compensation, and the impact that various factors have on that compensation. (Lawson, 2014) The survey encompassed the U.S. and Canada, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
The data obtained in the survey was distributed amongst key areas, termed “Respondent Demographics.” These key areas were: gender, median age, level of education (in the form of a baccalaureate and/or advanced), median years of work experience, family status, and certification percentages. (Lawson, 2014) The results of the survey, as per the article, gave an insight into the regional professional environment and level of overall job satisfaction amongst the different regions.

Regional Comparisons and Contrast
Amongst the regions, management accountants in the U.S. and Europe enjoy a higher annual base pay and annual total compensation relative to their African, Middle Eastern and Asian counterparts. These professionals receive over 180% more on average in annual base pay and 170% more in annual total compensation. (Lawson, 2014) Conversely, a CMA certification had a greater impact on salary and compensation increases amongst Asian accountants than U.S. and European, with a 175% increase in both areas. Notwithstanding these regional differences, a baccalaureate and/or advanced degree positively impacted management accountants amongst all regional respondent demographics, and “95% of survey respondents have at least a baccalaureate degree and that 38% have an advanced degree.” (Lawson, 2014)
Additionally, it is interesting to note that, according to the survey, company size did not affect pay and compensation and that the frequency and amount of salary raises was cited as an important factor affecting employee satisfaction. Also, the preference for working more hours varied amongst the regions, and European respondents were most likely to desire more flexible work hours, while those from Asia and the Middle East/Africa regions more likely to want more rigid work hours. (Lawson, 2014) Moreover, respondents from Asia and the Middle East/Africa regions desired a better quality of life whereas in Europe and the U.S./Canada desired increased salary. These aforementioned regional differences can be attributed to the respective cultural norms and/or the current socio-economic and political situation of the regions surveyed, and a data set such as the survey may not reveal this fully.

Demographic Comparisons and Contrast
As far as specific demographics are concerned (e.g. gender, age, education, etc.), the variances therein are worth a look. One distinction is that Europeans are the most likely of the respondents to have advanced degrees and be women, while respondents from the Americas are the most likely to have a professional certification and be older. (Lawson, 2014) Also, according to the survey, in terms of age, the older the accounting professional the higher the mean salary and compensation (this is true for both for certified professionals and non-certified). However, women still earned less than their male counterparts throughout all regions.
One can infer that the