About Chapter

Michiana Chapter

The Michiana Chapter is located in Northwest Indiana and serves the South Bend area. It has about 60 members. The chapter holds monthly technical meetings from September through May. The Michiana Chapter joined the Michigan Council in June 2008.

The Michiana Chapter is one of eight chapters in the Michigan Council of IMA, which offers additional educational and leadership opportunities. The Michigan Council offers an all-day Fall Seminar, in Lansing, Michigan, which features nationally known speakers on a variety of topics.

History of the Michiana Chapter

The Michiana Chapter of IMA was originally chartered as the South Bend Chapter of the National Association of Cost Accountants on June 24, 1936 with a membership of 33. Early meetings were held at The Hotel LaSalle. One of the 1st speakers was J.E. McCarthy, Dean of the College of Commerce, University of Notre Dame.

T.H. Milby from the Studebaker Corporation was the first Chapter President. The Chapter won a banner under the leadership of Edward Westphal, in 1938. A second banner was won in 1964 under the presidency of Louis S. La Pierre, III. In 1969-1970, the Chapter reached its highest membership level, at 432 members.

In June, 1969, David McNitt, of the Michiana Chapter, met with the National Promotional Services Director to discuss splitting of Elkhart County from the Michiana Chapter of the National Association of Accountants. It was agree that the split be accomplished without disrupting the Michiana Chapter.

The NAA Elkhart County Organizing Committee was formed in the summber of 1969. In October, 1969, interested members of the Michiana Chapter met to discuss the split. It was decided that the new chapter would bring NAA services closer to a great many members and attract many new members. The spin-off would not have any adverse effect on the Michiana Chapter, with a membership of over 400. By March, 1970, the required petitions had been gathered, and a charter was granted, effective April 1, 1970. The Elkhart Area Chapter serviced the principal cities of Elkhart, Goshen, Nappanee, Ligonier, Syracuse, Milford and Lagrange, Indiana, and also the communities of Constantive, White Pigeon and Sturgis, Michigan.

During the 1992-1993 year, the Elkhart Area Chapter again merged with the Michiana Chapter.

The Chapter has received national competition banners in the Stevenson Division; 8th place in 1998-1999; 10th place in 1999-2000 and 23rd place in 2000-2001. With declining membership, the chapter moved to the Warner Division for smaller chapters in 2001-2002. In that division, the chapter received an 8th place banner in 2001-2002 and 12th place in 2002-2003.

Formerly part of the Lincoln Trails Regional Council of IMA, Michiana became a member of the Michigan Regional Council of IMA at the beginning of the 2008-2009 fiscal year.