Oracle and AICPA & CIMA Team Up to Tackle the Technology Skills Gap in Finance

New Certification Series Helps Equip the Next Generation of Finance Leaders with Digital Finance Transformation Skills and Supports the Profession's Blueprint for the Future of Finance

AUSTIN, Texas and NEW YORK, April 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Oracle and the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association) founded by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), today announced an introductory certification series to address the technology skills gap in finance and accounting. Created in collaboration with Oracle, AICPA & CIMA's new "Agile Finance Transformation Certification Series" is designed to equip finance leaders with practical knowledge required to embrace the latest finance technology, processes, best practices, and skills to help them succeed in changing business environments and accelerate their careers.

As businesses navigated recent market disruptions, finance teams rapidly embraced cloud technology that would help drive critical business decisions. However, only 10 percent of finance leaders believe their teams have the full complement of technology skills needed to support their organization's finance transformation ambitions. To meet demand, create career advancement opportunities, and help their organizations succeed, finance professionals are hungry to improve their digital transformation skills. Yet, only six percent of finance leaders say they have a robust finance training program in place.

"The digital age provides new opportunities for the accounting and finance profession. To keep pace with digital transformation and changing expectations from business, finance professionals must evolve quickly and acquire new skills," noted Tom Hood, EVP, Business Engagement & Growth at the Association. "To meet this demand, the Association partnered with Oracle to collaborate and develop the Agile Finance Transformation Certification Series to train finance professionals with practical knowledge and prepare for—and accelerate—their digital finance transformation."

The course materials walk through critical steps for finance leaders to begin the transformation journey from the perspective of a finance practitioner who has successfully completed a transformation project. The certification series features key elements including: 

• Practical steps to guide a finance transformation journey
• Proven best practices and corresponding operational blueprints
• New skills that support and accelerate career development
• Real world experiences delivered by Oracle finance leaders based on their own finance transformation

"The next generation of finance leaders are in a unique position to be exponential catalysts for change across an organization by leaning decisively into technology to drive strategic business value," said Juergen Lindner, senior vice president and CMO, Global Marketing SaaS, Oracle. "With almost 700,000 members, students, and engaged professionals around the globe, the Association has tremendous influence over the direction of the accounting profession, and ultimately plays a key role in upskilling the industry to redefine what best looks like in finance."

The "Agile Finance Transformation Certification Series" is now available globally from the AICPA Store. Attendees can earn 21.5 Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits for the three-part certification. The total cost of the program is US$1,485 for non-AICPA or CIMA members, and US$1,195 for members. Learn more about the Agile Finance Transformation Certification Series here and enter code "Launch15" to save 15% off the training through July 31, 2022.

Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com.

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The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants® (the Association) represents AICPA® & CIMA®. We advance the global accounting and finance profession through our work on behalf of 696,000 AICPA and CIMA members, students and engaged professionals in 192 countries and territories. Together, we are the worldwide leader on public and management accounting issues through advocacy, support for the CPA license and specialized credentials, professional education and thought leadership. We build trust by empowering our members and engaged professionals with the knowledge and opportunities to be leaders in broadening prosperity for a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient future.

SOURCE Oracle