The University of San Carlos Department of Accountancy Institute of Management Accountants Student Chapter (USC IMA SC) was awarded two of the highest accolades from the prestigious Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) based in Montvale, New Jersey, U.S.A.

USC IMA SC made history as the first-ever Asia-Pacific chapter to win the coveted Clark Johnson Award. Founded only in 2023, the chapter shattered a decades-long dominance by US institutions. The international award committee selects only one winner globally each year, and the Carolinians earned this sole distinction for 2026 through the resounding success of their APIC Forum held at the USC Talamban Campus.

Simultaneously, the chapter sustained its elite status by capturing its third consecutive IMA Award of Excellence–Gold Chapter recognition. This represents the absolute pinnacle of the IMA’s three-tiered ranking system. 

Securing this gold distinction for three consecutive years now shows that our student accountants have firmly cemented their position as an international powerhouse in professional development, leadership, and the promotion of global accounting certifications.

Guided by their visionary theme, “Devotion. Aspiration. Expansion,” the chapter’s rapid ascent relies on rigorous innovation. Flagship initiatives like the MAP Masterclass series and strategic industry partnerships have consistently bridged the gap between academic theory and global practice. These initiatives successfully empowered over 400 local participants to pursue elite management accounting pathways, including the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Financial and Managerial Accounting Associate (FMAA) programs.

This legendary double-victory was forged by the brilliant leadership of project heads Arabella Kate Cataytay and Riesha Nyle Oyangorin. Working alongside them was a dedicated executive team, including Peter Mathew S. Adonis, Alex Shareff Templado, Patricia Gabrielle Tolentino, John Ritz Tampos, Honey Gie Karylle Ducay, Karmylle Julianne Buanjug, John Michael Egos, and Fia Yongco, who all fiercely elevated the global standards of student leadership.