05-14-2009, 12:52 AM
Dear dreamsunlimited
There are many aspects of your questions and answers need many considerations. However, I would try to reply you in brief and in general sense.
Canadian job market is highly competitive because immigration is basically SKILL based. So each year almost 300,000 professionals from alomost all the countries immigrate to Canada, including designated accountants. Canadian Universities/colleges and associations also produce large number of graduates each year. Total Canadian population is small and divided between English and French. So limits job opportunities for Pakistani immigrants who do not know French.
Still, as CA (of ICAP) with 7 years experience in Big 4s, I personally think you have strong chances to secure a reasonable accounting job (either in public accounting or in industry) in relatively short period as compared to other applicants. How quickly, depends upon the factors I have already mentioned in one of the above posts on this thread.
Adoption of IFRS, in my opinion, is not going to create a surge of demand in North America, because you may notice that ALL North American accounting associations are already providing transitionary courses and qualifications like IFRS Diploma etc. to accountants working in North America. Moreover, very large proportion of immigrant accountants who are already in jobs here, were already trained on IFRS with relevant designations, based on which they came here. Similarly, deadlines are still away. Further, this would be a transitionary phase that would use parallel shifting to new requirements, and not a sudden cutoff. It is not going to create a knowledge "gap", like the one was created world wide in early to mid 90's due to advent of internet and new technologies. Also, frankly speaking, once you would do CPA, you would notice that almost all IFRS are UK or rest of the world's version of US GAAP. End of the day, it is basically US whose share in research and development of every field of knowledge, including accounting, is incomparably largest. Principles, standards, reasoning, and treatments are almost same. So, in North American job market, in presence of accountants trained on US or Canadian GAAP, transition is not going to create a big change.
CPA would off-course help you here.
You may search job prospects and salary levels in Vancouver or in other parts through following job sites. Restrict search criteria as per cities/ areas. Some people say Alberta, Calgary, and Admonton also have good opportunities.
http//www.workopolis.com/work.aspx?action=Transfer&View=Content/Common/WorkLoginView&lang=EN&theme=work
http//jobsearch.monster.ca/?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_n=olmsrchcatm
The real beauty of this system and country is that an immigrant can live a reasonably good life and afford things (like car and housing with family) even working at minimum wage level. Medical and kids schooling is free. So, minimum money to start a life and live with a family is not an obstacle or consideration.
Experts suggest that best time to come here is in March or April when Spring starts, so one would have maximum time to settle before next winter. I personally know people who came in winter and left within in a month. Similarly, it is also suggested that male should come first and alone, and family and kids should come 4 to 6 months later, once the male head of family is settled in initial 4 to 6 months and makes a set-up for family/kids. These are not hard and fast rules, but just suggestions to keep the initial difficulties level low.
Following link may help you to some extent, however, it is not intended to start any unnecessary debate.
http//www.accountancy.com.pk/forum/topic.asp?topic_id=6286
I hope it helps.
Best Wishes
There are many aspects of your questions and answers need many considerations. However, I would try to reply you in brief and in general sense.
Canadian job market is highly competitive because immigration is basically SKILL based. So each year almost 300,000 professionals from alomost all the countries immigrate to Canada, including designated accountants. Canadian Universities/colleges and associations also produce large number of graduates each year. Total Canadian population is small and divided between English and French. So limits job opportunities for Pakistani immigrants who do not know French.
Still, as CA (of ICAP) with 7 years experience in Big 4s, I personally think you have strong chances to secure a reasonable accounting job (either in public accounting or in industry) in relatively short period as compared to other applicants. How quickly, depends upon the factors I have already mentioned in one of the above posts on this thread.
Adoption of IFRS, in my opinion, is not going to create a surge of demand in North America, because you may notice that ALL North American accounting associations are already providing transitionary courses and qualifications like IFRS Diploma etc. to accountants working in North America. Moreover, very large proportion of immigrant accountants who are already in jobs here, were already trained on IFRS with relevant designations, based on which they came here. Similarly, deadlines are still away. Further, this would be a transitionary phase that would use parallel shifting to new requirements, and not a sudden cutoff. It is not going to create a knowledge "gap", like the one was created world wide in early to mid 90's due to advent of internet and new technologies. Also, frankly speaking, once you would do CPA, you would notice that almost all IFRS are UK or rest of the world's version of US GAAP. End of the day, it is basically US whose share in research and development of every field of knowledge, including accounting, is incomparably largest. Principles, standards, reasoning, and treatments are almost same. So, in North American job market, in presence of accountants trained on US or Canadian GAAP, transition is not going to create a big change.
CPA would off-course help you here.
You may search job prospects and salary levels in Vancouver or in other parts through following job sites. Restrict search criteria as per cities/ areas. Some people say Alberta, Calgary, and Admonton also have good opportunities.
http//www.workopolis.com/work.aspx?action=Transfer&View=Content/Common/WorkLoginView&lang=EN&theme=work
http//jobsearch.monster.ca/?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_n=olmsrchcatm
The real beauty of this system and country is that an immigrant can live a reasonably good life and afford things (like car and housing with family) even working at minimum wage level. Medical and kids schooling is free. So, minimum money to start a life and live with a family is not an obstacle or consideration.
Experts suggest that best time to come here is in March or April when Spring starts, so one would have maximum time to settle before next winter. I personally know people who came in winter and left within in a month. Similarly, it is also suggested that male should come first and alone, and family and kids should come 4 to 6 months later, once the male head of family is settled in initial 4 to 6 months and makes a set-up for family/kids. These are not hard and fast rules, but just suggestions to keep the initial difficulties level low.
Following link may help you to some extent, however, it is not intended to start any unnecessary debate.
http//www.accountancy.com.pk/forum/topic.asp?topic_id=6286
I hope it helps.
Best Wishes
