The Association of Taxation and Management Accountants is an independent association of professional accountants whose members include practitioners working in small business and who focus on taxation, management accounting and small business management.

The issues of concern to small business accountants are often markedly different, both in nature and degree, from the issues of concern to other accountants, such as practitioners in large accountancy firms. Unlike the big accounting firms, ATMA members do not have a lot of in-house specialists. However, they are free to consult with the most appropriate specialists within the profession. Several of the big accounting firms currently provide specialist advice to ATMA members and their clients. In this respect, ATMA members are the general practitioners of the accounting profession.

This specialist consultation is sought by members only when required, meaning members minimise costs and maximise the quality of the service provided to their clients. This ensures the proper utilisation of resources within the profession and maximises the benefit to clients.

The ATMA was formed in April 1985 to represent the special interests and needs of small business accountants. It has members in all Australian states and overseas. The national office for the ATMA is located in Sydney.

Prior to 1991, the ATMA was known as The Australian Association of Taxation and Management Accountants(1987-1991), and The Australian Institute of Taxation and Management Accountants before that (1985-1987). The changes in name occurred to represent more directly the acronym "ATMA", thereby effecting a simpler and shorter form of identification.

The ATMA, in 1987, was the first Accounting body to allow members to receive commissions from investment advising activities. Also in 1987, the ATMA was the first Accounting body to encourage members to undertake investment training courses thereby allowing members to gain the statutory recognition necessary to undertake such activities.

The ATMA was the first professional accounting association to conduct its Public Practice Program or Professional Orientation Program as a post-graduate University course, commencing in 1994. The ATMA was also the first Australian professional association to award a prize to a student at a Chinese university, at an award ceremony in 1995.

The ATMA introduced compulsory Continuing Professional Development from 1 July 1997. The ATMA also introduced a requirement for compulsory Professional Indemnity Insurance, for members holding current Public Practice Certificates, from 1 July 1997. These decisions were made to take into account, developments in quality assurance for the Accounting profession, and various proposed legislative changes affecting the registration of Tax Agents and Auditors.

ATMA's members are usually generalist accountants who make their services affordable and accessible to small business and personal consumers. ATMA members are the small business professionals. It is only the ATMA that has specialised and focused on the issues affecting small practitioners.

A RECOGNISED PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION (RPA):
The ATMA became a Recognised Professional Association (RPA) from the 1st July 2000 as a result of legislation enacted in late May 2000. This legislation relates to amendments required to introduce RPAs into section 251L of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 as amended.

ATMA RECOGNISED FOR TAX AGENTS REGISTRATION
ATMA membership recognised as one of the prescribed conditions in Regulation 156(5)(b)(i) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 for registration as a Tax Agent. The amending legislation was contained in Income Tax Amendment Regulations 2005 (No. 3) dated 7th June 2005, and effective from 9th June 2005. This means that ATMA members are now treated in the same way as members of the previously named professional bodies.