The Institute is concerned with the standards, status and development of the management consulting and business advisory professions. Its members give advice to all levels of management and are obliged to maintain the highest standards of integrity and competence.
As the professional body for management consultants and business advisers in Ireland, the Institute awards the internationally accepted Certified Management Consultant accreditation, sets standards via a Code of Professional Conduct and works to develop the personal qualities of members through Continuing Professional Development.
Issues relating to the certification, professional standards and personal qualities of consultants and advisers are discussed below.
Certification
Certified Management Consultant (CMC) and full membership of IMCA is only open to management consultants and business advisers who have appropriate professional qualifications, training and experience. Institute membership includes consultants and advisers in many areas of activity and from all types of practices ranging from sole practitioners to consultants and advisers working with medium and large international organisations and State Agencies.
CMC is an internationally recognised management consultancy qualification based on strict certification requirements relating to competence, ethics and independence. The Institute is part of the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (ICMCI) and authorised to award the CMC qualification in Ireland.
To secure CMC, applicants usually join the Institute as associates and proceed to demonstrate their skills against IMCA’s Competence Framework. They can do this while working as independent consultants or within larger practices.
Professional Standards
Management consultants and business advisers are independent and qualified persons who provide a professional service to business, public and other undertakings by:
- Identifying and investigating problems concerned with strategy, policy, markets, organisation, procedures, systems, practices and methods;
- Formulating recommendations for appropriate action by factual investigation and analysis with due regard for broader management and business implication;
- Discussing and agreeing with the client the most appropriate course of action; and
- Providing assistance where required by the client to implement the recommendations.
In rendering such services to all levels of management, consultants and advisers carry a heavy burden of responsibility and an obligation to maintain the highest standards of integrity and competence.
Recognising this responsibility, the Institute’s Code of Professional Conduct requires all members to operate to the highest standards of performance and thereby enhance the reputation and public recognition of the profession, Institute and members.
Personal Qualities
The personal qualities required of a person to enable them to work effectively and efficiently as a management consultant or adviser include:
- Objectivity, impartiality and independence;
- Knowledge of management organisation and techniques;
- Consulting and advisory skills, practical experience and technical expertise.
Certified Management Consultants and full Members of the Institute have demonstrated that they possess and are able to apply all these qualities. Associate members are required to demonstrate that they are undergoing approved training to this end.
