Why Choosing an Accredited Association Management Company is Crucial for Your Organization’s Success

As we discussed in a previous blog post, an association management company (AMC) is a professional service provider that manages and administers the operations of associations, non-profits, and other membership-based organizations. The role of an AMC like AMR is to help the organization meet its goals, run its programs, and grow its membership. However, not all AMCs are created equal.

Choosing an accredited association management company is crucial for ensuring that your organization receives high-quality services and achieves its objectives. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of choosing an accredited AMC.

What is an Accredited AMC?

An accredited AMC is one that has been vetted by the AMC Institute, an organization that sets professional standards for the industry. The AMC Institute is a non-profit trade association that represents more than 200 AMC firms worldwide. It provides accreditation to AMCs that demonstrate a high level of professionalism, ethical behavior, and quality services. Accredited AMCs are held to a higher standard than non-accredited firms and must adhere to a strict code of ethics and be audited independently to maintain accreditation.

AMR is charter accredited by the AMC Institute, the trade association for association management companies, under the guidance of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The ANSI/AMC Institute Standard of Good Practices for the Association Management Industry was designed to establish internal quality service systems. AMCs that have adopted this standard have made a commitment to uphold and deliver the highest possible level of customer service using a documented set of best practices. In 2002, AMR was one of the first five firms to achieve this designation and still is one of only 19 charter accredited firms more than 20 years later.

“For our company, there was never a question that we wanted to become accredited,” said Nick Ruffin, CAE, AMR President and Chief Executive Officer. “In fact, our company was deeply involved in the creation and updating of the standard since the program’s inception. The accreditation standards are so completely ingrained in who we are as a company, they are embedded in all we do and how we onboard our employees and clients. The principles of the accreditation program have been instrumental in our continued success as a professional services firm.”

Why Choose an Accredited AMC?

• Quality Services – Accredited AMCs are recognized for their high-quality services. They have undergone a rigorous evaluation process and must meet strict standards for performance and professionalism. Accredited AMCs are committed to delivering exceptional services to their clients and continuously improving their processes.
  
• Expertise – Accredited AMCs employ experienced professionals who are experts in their respective fields. These individuals have the knowledge and skills necessary to help organizations achieve their goals. Accredited AMCs provide access to a team of experts who can offer guidance and support in a wide range of areas, including strategic planning, financial management, marketing, and membership recruitment.
  
• Ethical Behavior – Accredited AMCs are committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical behavior. They must adhere to a strict code of ethics including guidelines for transparency, confidentiality, and conflict of interest. Accredited AMCs are committed to acting in the best interests of their clients and keeping the highest levels of integrity.
  
• Accountability -Accredited AMCs are accountable to their clients and the AMC Institute. They must regularly report on their performance and undergo a reaccreditation process every five years. Accredited AMCs are committed to providing transparent and accountable services to their clients.

“Choosing an association management partner is a huge decision for Boards of Directors, so factoring in whether the firm is accredited is a great place to start,” said Tracy Tucker, AMR Executive Vice President. “AMCs that have gone through the accreditation process have already proven they are committed to a high level of professionalism, process, and quality. That is definitely not the only consideration for selecting a management partner, but it’s a great beginning.”

Choosing an accredited association management company is crucial for ensuring that your organization receives high-quality services and achieves its objectives. Accredited AMCs are recognized for their expertise, ethical behavior, and accountability. They provide access to a team of experts who can help your organization grow and succeed. When choosing an AMC, it is essential to look for the AMC Institute accreditation to ensure that you are working with a professional, trustworthy, and committed partner.

Get in touch with us today to see what AMR can do for your association.