Pakistani CA in Canada

[zaikhan]

Assalamualaikum

I am an associate member of the ICAP since 2004 and I have recently got the Canadian permanent resident visa. I intend to move there by the mid of April 2010 INSHALLAH.

I have following queries and would be very grateful If you kindly help me with your valuable opinions;Specially from those accountants who are in Canada now ...

.....I intend to move to Calgary Alberta together with my wife and two kids ; is this wise decision from job market and cost of living point of view.

..... What Canadian accountancy qualification I need to pursue to enhance my chances of getting a reasonable job in Canadian market

.....Being an accountant what important things I must do before landing and immediately landing in Canada.

....Any other thing that I should take care of?

I am looking forward to receiving your valuable suggestions!

Thanks and best regards,
ZK/-

[Toronto_Boy]

Dear zaikhan

Welcome to Canada.

Yes, Calgary can be a good place from job and cost of living point of view.

Any accounting qualification that you can get considering your own personal strengths and lackings like responsibilities, having job soon, job in public or industry accounting, money in pocket (however it is not a big consideration as you can get loan), exemptions given by 3 Canadian designations etc. etc. Generally new immigrant go for CGA as it does not require professional job initially to enroll with, which is the case with CICA and CMA.

Have you considered ICAPs arrangement with ICAEW to get ICAEW's CA in Pakistan. If you get ICAEW's CA BEFORE LANDING here, it may provide you leverage toward CICA. You may do advance MS Office (specially advance Excel), computerized accounting software, SAP etc. After landing, at-least get CGAs exemptions/enrolment to place CGA on resume to increase probability of securing jobs.

Please feel no offence. Detailed information is already available on various threads of forum which may be of your benefit.

One very important thing I wanna say you. Do not be discouraged by initial phase of difficulties here. The people who workhard, get over this temporary phase.

I hope other members like maqszaman and MRS can provide you more insight.

Again, welcome to Canada.

Wish you best of luck.

[maqszaman]

WAS Zia Khan,

We have made a great discussion on this subject. Here is the link

http//www.accountancy.com.pk/forum/topic.asp?topic_id=8408

Please read these threads and come up with your specific questions. I would suggest you to continue your discussion on that thread so that all material will be to other people at a single place for future use.

Regards,

[zaikhan]

@maqszaman & Toronto_Boy

Thank you replying.I will follow and post my questions at the thread you have mentioned.

@maqszaman

Thank you for your sending me email and for the informative thread

Best regards & wishes,
ZK