Canadian Immigration and ACCA, CIMA, CFA or CMA

Canadian Immigration and ACCA, CIMA, CFA or CMA - Printable Version

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- Sufyanaamir - 06-28-2010

Dear Toronto Boy..

I am MBA+ACMA and a prospective immigrant for Canada and my case is in processing with CHC London. I shall be highly obliged if u could send me private message on my email address [email protected] / [email protected] so as to have a cyberlink with u regarding upcoming matters in this way...hope to hear from you soon...thanx

- sumairalam - 07-01-2010

No more canadian immigration for accountant, finance auditors or finacial analyst under FSW.
The only option left is go for higher studies and than come under experienced class.

Also the same applies for all IT personnel and Teachers.

Best of Luck to all!

- Savak - 07-04-2010

Hey Toronto boy. Yep my MBA from IBA is over now. I hope you do remember me informing you about my plans to come to Canada by Jan 2011 as i am immigrating here.

I have done some research and i came across one useful website.
http//www.guidetorulingtheworld.ca/Path/Path3_0.aspx

This basically applies to the province of Ontario and in the highest probability i am going to be based in that area.

These are their steps for becoming a CA in Canada, Ontario

1) GET A 4-YEAR, 120 CREDIT-HOUR UNIVERSITY DEGREE

2) COMPLETE A CA Accredited University Program or 17 specific courses known as the "51 credit-hour requirement"

3) GET 3 YEARS OF PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH A CA TRAINING OFFICE.

4) TAKE THE ICAO PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM

5) WRITE AND PASS THE UNIFORM EVALUATION (UFE)

Like i said, i already have a 4 year BBA under my belt and a 2 year MBA from IBA so i think the first requirement is more or less covered.

I have to somehow fulfill the second requirement. I was looking at the various CA Accredited University Program and the university has mentioned the following universities

1) University of Waterloo (Macc)

2) University of Toronto St. George (Master of Management and Professional Accounting (MMPA) Co-op offered & Bachelor of Commerce with Accounting specialization (CA Stream))

3) Wilfrid Laurier University (Honours Bachelor of Business Administration Co-op offered, Honours Bachelor of Economics and Accounting Co-op offered)

4) Brock University (Bachelor of Accounting (BAcc), Option A Co-op offered)

5) Queen's University (Bachelor of Commerce plus Advanced Accounting Program)

6) Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario

7) Schulich School of Business, York University

I am mostly aiming for master's program as they at most will take me 2 years to complete as opposed to a bachelors which will take me 4 years. GMAT has to be given.

As far as the minimum 17 courses are concerned here they are

1) Financial accounting
(introductory, intermediate and advanced) 15 credit hours

2) Cost and Management accounting 6 credit hours

3) Advanced Accounting Elective 3 credit hours

4) Auditing 9 credit hours

5) Taxation 6 credit hours

6) Business Information Systems 3 credit hours

7) Finance/Financial management 3 credit hours

8) Economics 3 credit hours

9) Law 3 credit hours

Total 51 credit hours

I am pretty sure i have done some of these courses during the course of my BBA and MBA in IBA, so i am just wondering will i get any exemptions from any universities i apply to for my masters? I have already emailed the various universities in questions and none of them have bothered to respond to me.

Anyways, any comments from you will be welcome.

- Toronto_Boy - 07-06-2010

Dear Savak

Congrats on completion of MBA.

To do CA in Canada, the most difficult part for an immigrant is to get a job in CICA approved firm for practical experience (your point# 3). Your point 2 i.e. completion of 17 courses is not difficult. You would get exemptions from CICA in some of those courses. You may complete rest of courses like Canadian Business Law and Taxation etc. in part time or evening if you get a job in CA approved firm. Now, you have 2 options. (1) After immigration, directly apply in CA firms. If you get a job, then complete remaining requirements/ courses with job. (2) If you don't get the job in CA firm, then you may go for masters degree and apply in CA firms after completion of masters. Exemptions in masters degree vary from university to university and program to program. They may waive pre-requisite courses, but may not provide exemptions in masters level courses. But you must have to select a program and apply and then see what happens. No one can tell you up-front.

I hope it helps.

Best Wishes

- Savak - 07-06-2010

Thanks for the reply Toronto boy

I have friends and relatives in Canada, a vast majority have told me getting a job in Canada based on Pakistani qualifications alone is quite tough and that i am better of doing another masters first in Canada, then ofcourse its my choice whether i pursue the CA or not.

Il just have to get in touch with the universities over there myself now regarding the exemptions i can possibly get.

- Moheed - 07-08-2010

Hi there,

The information provided by Toronto Boy is very helpful. I really appreciate his time, effort and observations.
I am originally from Faisalabad. I immigrated to Canada in 2007.
Now studying for CGA.

I would like to know how can I move to USA?
How can I get a Job in USA? Where do I find USA jobs? How can I know if US employer is interested in hiring someone from Canada?
What is the procedure for getting a job in US and eventually settling there? Should I study for CPA or anyother course. Is CGA is acceptable in US?
Please Toronto Boy or someone with good knowledge in this area can shed some light?

Thanks
Moheed

- Toronto_Boy - 07-08-2010

Dear Moheed

You know US market is not good these days. As CGA one may get TN job visa to US. They usually accept Canadian designations and experience. However, CPA is always most preferred one in States. You may register yourself at various job banks or with recruiters. You may find jobs at careerbuilder.com or monster.com etc too. You would have to go there for job interviews. If you have Canadian passport then things are easier, otherwise I would suggest to wait till that time.

Under normal conditions, US employers do hire people from Canada too, but you know they have many more laid off people these days. If you are Canadian Citizen then you only need an offer letter from US employer, then you go to US embassy or US immigration at the border, provide all the documents and offer letter. Usually they give TN visa for 1 to 3 year renewable term, within which your US employer would apply for H1 visa for you. After which you wait for few years to apply for green card.

If you are not Canadian Citizen, then you must have to get H1 directly, as TN is only for Canadian Citizens (and also Mexican, under NAFTA agreement).

You may google for further details.

I hope it helps.

Regards

- Kitro - 07-09-2010

<blockquote id="quote">quote<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Moheed
 Hi there,

Now studying for CGA. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Can you be more specific? What CGA level, when do you expect to be designated (complete the educational and work experience requirements) ?

<blockquote id="quote">quote<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">How can I get a Job in USA? Where do I find USA jobs? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Its the same way as in Canada, apply directly to the company, online websites (monster.com), recruitment agencies (Accountemps) and networking.

<blockquote id="quote">quote<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">How can I know if US employer is interested in hiring someone from Canada?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You can't. If you have a the required skill set the employer will contact you. Also, larger companies have the time and money to sponsor foreign workers.

<blockquote id="quote">quote<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Is CGA is acceptable in US?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

CGA is virtually unknown over there.

Passing the CPA exam also has little value, you can find hundreds of Americans who passed the CPA exams and still find it hard to get a job.
I believe the easiest way is to work for a US based company in Canada or a Canadian company with offices in the US and request a transfer.

I will be quite honest with you, US employers mainly sponsor engineers, IT specialists, business people with extensive experience and doctors from Canada and the world. Why these fields ? Because Americans are not into math (most on H1B visa are engineers or IT personnel) and to become a doctor in the US is a lengthy and very expensive process.

On the other hand, the business field (accounting, finance, marketing, etc) attracts a lot of locals and it will be extremely difficult to gain sponsorship if you don't offer something locals don't have.

- Kitro - 07-09-2010

Like Toronto_Boy mentioned, the US job market is horrendous.

Some extracts from today's article in the New York Times.

http//finance.yahoo.com/news/American-Dream-Is-Elusive-for-nytimes-1858628195.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=5&asset=&ccode=

"Mr. Nicholson, 24, a graduate of Colgate University, winner of a deans award for academic excellence, spent his mornings searching corporate Web sites for suitable job openings. When he found one, he mailed off a rsum and cover letter four or five a week, week after week.

Over the last five months, only one job materialized. After several interviews, the Hanover Insurance Group in nearby Worcester offered to hire him as an associate claims adjuster, at $40,000 a year."

"The grandfather has encouraged his unemployed grandson to go abroad "

- Moheed - 07-09-2010

<blockquote id="quote">quote<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Kitro
 <blockquote id="quote">quote<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Moheed
 Hi there,

Now studying for CGA. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Can you be more specific? What CGA level, when do you expect to be designated (complete the educational and work experience requirements) ?

<blockquote id="quote">quote<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">How can I get a Job in USA? Where do I find USA jobs? <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Its the same way as in Canada, apply directly to the company, online websites (monster.com), recruitment agencies (Accountemps) and networking.

<blockquote id="quote">quote<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">How can I know if US employer is interested in hiring someone from Canada?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You can't. If you have a the required skill set the employer will contact you. Also, larger companies have the time and money to sponsor foreign workers.

<blockquote id="quote">quote<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Is CGA is acceptable in US?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

CGA is virtually unknown over there.

Passing the CPA exam also has little value, you can find hundreds of Americans who passed the CPA exams and still find it hard to get a job.
I believe the easiest way is to work for a US based company in Canada or a Canadian company with offices in the US and request a transfer.

I will be quite honest with you, US employers mainly sponsor engineers, IT specialists, business people with extensive experience and doctors from Canada and the world. Why these fields ? Because Americans are not into math (most on H1B visa are engineers or IT personnel) and to become a doctor in the US is a lengthy and very expensive process.

On the other hand, the business field (accounting, finance, marketing, etc) attracts a lot of locals and it will be extremely difficult to gain sponsorship if you don't offer something locals don't have.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks Kitro.

I am in the 4th level. I have one paper to clear in 4th level. I hope to finish CGA in 2 years time.

I have 4 years experience in Pakistan. 9 years in UAE. Almost 3 years in Canada.So total 16 years. I have done B.com and then M.com full time from Pakistan.

I was very curious to know how can I get into US and work and live there. That is why I asked these questions.

Thank you so much for your information.

Moheed

- Moheed - 07-09-2010

<blockquote id="quote">quote<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Toronto_Boy
 Dear Moheed

You know US market is not good these days. As CGA one may get TN job visa to US. They usually accept Canadian designations and experience. However, CPA is always most preferred one in States. You may register yourself at various job banks or with recruiters. You may find jobs at careerbuilder.com or monster.com etc too. You would have to go there for job interviews. If you have Canadian passport then things are easier, otherwise I would suggest to wait till that time.

Under normal conditions, US employers do hire people from Canada too, but you know they have many more laid off people these days. If you are Canadian Citizen then you only need an offer letter from US employer, then you go to US embassy or US immigration at the border, provide all the documents and offer letter. Usually they give TN visa for 1 to 3 year renewable term, within which your US employer would apply for H1 visa for you. After which you wait for few years to apply for green card.

If you are not Canadian Citizen, then you must have to get H1 directly, as TN is only for Canadian Citizens (and also Mexican, under NAFTA agreement).

You may google for further details.

I hope it helps.

Regards
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thank you so much Toronto Boy for the reply.
I am still studying. I was thinking about going US as I have heard that there are lot of Pakistanis working in good positions. So I was curious to find out if I have any chance. I am not planning to go anytime soon. I would like to finish my CGA studies first. Then I think I should do CPA or MBA Finance. I think this will take at least 5 years. In 5 years time, I think US economy will improve a lot and there will be lot of jobs. But I thought I should start planning now onwards. The same ways you suggested, potential Pakistani immigrants to Canada should start planning well in advance before coming to Canada to save time, money etc.

Thank you so much for your posting.

Moheed

- Toronto_Boy - 07-09-2010

Dear Moheed

You are on right track.

We all need to have 3 to 7 years plans i.e. where we wanna see ourselves in that time frame and then keep chasing those aggressively.

Best Wishes

- Toronto_Boy - 07-16-2010

Following are some excerpts of an article about StatsCanada population projections.

Source http//www.thestar.com/opinion/article/779239

"Siddiqui Our home and native - and adopted - land"
By Haroon Siddiqui

"If you don't like non-whites, Statistics Canada has given you more reason to grumble. But if you are among the overwhelming majority of Canadians who have adjusted well to our demographic diversity, indeed see it as a defining feature of our nation, take a bow.

Statistics Canada's population projections to 2031, released Tuesday, showcase what is perhaps the most ambitious and successful experiment in heterogeneity in human history. The population of visible minorities is expected to rise from one in every five Canadians to to one in three â potentially 14.4 million. The largest group, as now, would be South Asians.

The Toronto CMA (census metropolitan area, Oshawa to Burlington) would be nearly two-thirds non-white â 5.6 million. Among them, South Asians would have tripled to 2.1 million. Chinese would be 1.1 million. Vancouver also would be almost two-thirds non-white. But, in a flip of Toronto, the largest group there, as now, would be the Chinese, followed by South Asians.

Montreal would continue to lag in diversity. Only one in three would be non-white. Blacks (mostly Haitians, like MichaÃ«lle Jean) would double to 381,000.

While immigration would remain a big-city phenomenon, mid-size cities would change as well. "VizMins" would double their numbers in Barrie, Guelph, Hamilton, Kitchener, Oshawa, Peterborough, etc.

It is a tribute to our national character that this "browning" of Canada has not attracted racist hand-wringing. Contrast this with the scaremongering in Europe about Arabs/Muslims, portrayed as the advance guard of "Eurabia." The few Canadians who do relate to that will find fodder for their phobia in the StatsCan figures

As the population of non-whites grows at eight times the rate of the rest, the Arabs among them (including Christian Arabs) would climb to 1.1 million. In Montreal, they'd triple to 367,000. Across Canada, Islam would remain the fastest growing religion. Muslims would triple from 2.7 per cent of the population to 6.8 per cent. They would constitute half our non-Christian population."

- ajwathm - 07-19-2010

Hi,

I have completed cima,
Do u have any idea about job offer for ACMA's in Canada,
Is it recognised?[8D]

Thanx

regards,
Ajwath