diddy

Hi,

This is something I've brought up before, but just wanted to make 100% sure of the answer. JAJ, you may be able to help on this.

In order to go from ACCA to ICAA, first of all I need to do the Tax and Corp Law bridging subjects - OK, I get this bit.

However, do I also have to do the entirety of the CA Program? If so, is it the same for CPA?

Thanks,

Paul.

worzel

Diddy

Do you think you need to convert? I am Chartered but as I work in industry I was under the impression that it doesn't really matter. Maybe wishful thinking as I still have nightmares about sitting my ACA exams 11 years ago. :scared: I assume you have been on the ICAA website as I found it really helpful and they are also really good at answering emails queries unlike DIMIA as I understand it.

JAJ

If you are Chartered you can convert easily, if you are ACCA you cannot convert easily to either CA or CPA - however it's not usually necessary to do so.

You don't need to convert in order to migrate (ACCA qualification is enough) and in order to work in Australia, provided your employer is happy to accept the qualification as equivalent to CPA (many are, especially in the major centres) it's not really a problem.

You can do the tax/law courses if you wish but it's not usually advisable to become an 'Associate' CPA member without getting the full CPA designation, as this ironically makes your ACCA qualification look inferior.

Jeremy

claire1974

Hi im a CIPFA qualified Accountant (my names tony but im using my partners Claires Login sorry). Interesting to see these posts. Looks like we may be going to Canberra soon, and I also wanted to know about Conversion and had the same question, was never made clear if the bridging exams made me ICAA qual or not. Hopefully il get a job based on what i got. Anybody know about salaries?, ive been qualified 5 yrs and im on £40k here in the uk. im a finance manager in a UK hospital. Thanks in advance. Tony

worzel

Tony

Check out the websites for Hudson and Hays in Australia as they each have salary surveys.

http://www.hays.com.au/salary/index.asp
http://www.hudsonresourcing.com.au/node.asp?SID=1187

It struck me that the job you didn't seem to make that much of a difference but the city you do it in does.

diddy

Cheers guys for the replies.

Although I've always worked for larger companies, I'm thinking about going into practice in the long run, hence the need to convert. Like Tony, I can't quite figure out the ICAA website and whether the bridging courses is enough or whether you have to do the whole ICAA program.

Worzel, I believe you right though about converting. There seems little point if you gonna stay in Business.

Interesting article for anyone thinking or going to OZ as an Accoutant on the ACCA website:

www.acca.org.uk

about the shortage of Accountant's in Australia.

Paul.

JAJ

The bridging exams will not make you ICAA qualified unless you're a member of a full recognised overseas professional body (eg ICAEW).

CIPFA has a 'fast-track' route to membership with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS). If you are looking to upgrade to CA, this is probably a better route than the ICAA program.
http://www.icas.org.uk/site/cms/download/cipfa.pdf

If you became a Scottish CA you might be able to become an ICAA member on reciprocal grounds, or just use your Scottish CA qualification in Australia where it should be well recognised.

CIPFA is probably less well known in Australia than ACCA or CIMA, although if the recruitment consultant is familiar with the UK (many will have worked there) it might not be a problem.

Jeremy

worzel

Paul

Good article, thanks.

While I have a leaning towards either Adelaide or Melbourne they are not the places with the most shortages at the moment. I don't know whether to pitch up somewhere then find a job or try and find something before I come out and let that make the choice of destination for us. So far I am 0 from 3 in emailing an agency in Australia, calling an international agency in London and attending last weekends expo in Earls Court for finding anyone at all willing to talk to me.

The other thought I had reading the article is that it would be handy if I could get a brief overview of the Aussie tax regime to be able to bluff my way through interviews. Any ideas?

diddy

I'm heading for Cairns or Brisbane. I've e-mailed a few Agents there and most have replied. The general attitude it that the first job is the hardest to get, but once you have some Aussie experience, the second job isn't so difficult.

They've all advised that it's very difficult to get a job there whilst still in the UK - unless you're particularly specialised or Senior.

They have all said to call as soon as I arrive to meet up.

Not sure about the tax thing despite the article. I suspose if you specialise in the UK in tax then this will come easier.

I've actually thought about the other option - IFRS's. It may be easier to read up on these, although realistically I'll still need to know Aussie GAAP in order to compare.

I really just intend turning up and trying every avenue - agents, papers, ect to just get a general role to get me on the Aussie ladder and take it from there.

Paul.

worzel

I am quite a specialist in systems implementations / improvements (ERP, consols) so I may give it a go getting a job before I come out (and maybe a contribution to the costs) but like you say, I was mainly planning on turning up, putting on a suit and making a few visits, take any old job within reason then progress from there. If I get something with a large company there may be a better chance to move up with recommendations too, I thought.

MarkO'G

Hi Paul,

I am in the same boat as you. ACCA qualified and wondering whether to convert to ICAA. I'm thinking of just trying to clock up some work experience and then take a view after a year or two. ACCA reputation seems to be getting bigger in Australia. When I worked out there on a working holiday visa around 4 years ago, not many of the recruitment agencies had much knowledge on the ACCA.

Just checked out the ACCA report on Oz. I did not even consider the Gold Coast as an option, apparently a shortage of accountants!!

Good luck

Mark

claire1974

Hi, its Tony again, just got this email from the ICAA, kinda answers all our questions. I think il do the fast track conversion to ICAS, then i just have to take Bridging exams to be fully ICAA qualified. Rather do that than risk it, i didnt study for 4 yrs for nothing. Anyway email i got is below, sory it takes a lot of space, hope you find it useful. Tony Clark (using Claires Login)

Dear Mr Clark,
Here is the information regarding obtaining a skills assessment from the ICAA if you are a member of a recognised overseas body. With kind regards Merilyn

APPROVED OVERSEAS ACCOUNTING BODIES
The ICAA has reciprocity agreements with the following overseas accounting bodies:
* The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales <http://www.icaew.co.uk >
* The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland <http://www.icas.org.uk>
* The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland. <http://www.icai.ie>
* Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants <http://www.cica.ca>
* A legally constituted state authority in the United States of America (the person having CPA <http://www.aicpa.org> Status)
* The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants <http://www.saica.co.za>
* The Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand (members of the College of Chartered Accountants) <http://www.icanz.co.nz>
* Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe <http://www.icaz.org.zw> (admitted after 1, Jan 1996)
* The Hong Kong Society of Accountants <http://www.hksa.org.hk> (only members who have completed the HKSA Qualifications Programme and trained under an Authorised Employer/Supervisor).

Provided you are a current financial member in good standing of one of these approved accounting associations and you gained your membership through the normal education, professional examinations and service requirements, you may make an application for membership of the ICAA.

To apply you need to meet certain requirements including:

Localising your knowledge
You must demonstrate satisfactory understanding of Australian Company Law and Australian Taxation Law. Generally this requires completion of bridging studies </upload/download/Bridging_CorpTax_for_appr_bodies_July04.pdf> through an accredited Australian university.
References
You must include at least three (3) written references. These references are as follows:
* At least one (1) person from the country in which the membership was obtained to testify as to the applicant's professional ability (this person does not need to be a Chartered Accountant) AND
* Two (2) from members of the ICAA who are not related to you and have been members for at least three (3) years.
(Note: Referees who have been members of the ICAA for less then three (3) years but have been members of your overseas professional body for at least five (5) years, are acceptable.) Fees
You are required to pay an application fee which is not subject to GST, when you submit your application. The appropriate pro rata subscription amount will be sought from you if your application is successful. Current fees are displayed on the application form.

The Procedure
Your application should be submitted to the Member Admissions section of the CA Program & Admissions Division of the ICAA in Sydney. You will be contacted if you are required to attend an interview. Once the application is processed you are notified in writing of the decision. If you are accepted into membership, your Certificate of Membership is sent to your local ICAA office and you are invited to a Presentation Ceremony. You can, however, request that the certificate be sent to you direct.

MEMBERS OF OTHER OVERSEAS ACCOUNTING BODIES Members of other overseas accounting bodies <http://www.icaa.org.au/entry/index.cfm?menu=320&id=A101221194> are required to have an assessment completed of their qualifications to determine the requirements for membership. It is most likely that they will need to undertake further university study, pass the ICAA's CA Program and also meet the service requirements for the program and membership.


Merilyn L Newman
Qualifications Coordinator
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia

JAJ

Just be aware that if you become an ICAS member through the fast-track for CIPFA, you are not guaranteed the ability to switch to ICAA. I have highlighted the relevant text in your reply from ICAA.

However, ICAS should be well recognised in Australia in its own right, so even if you can't join ICAA it may not be a problem.

Jeremy

worzel

Does anyone have any experience of how long it took the ICAA to acknowledge their skills assessment request after submission or how many days it took for them to charge your credit card? (I haven't even begun to think about how long it will take to process yet, just so long as I know it is in the system)

diddy

In April 2003, it took me about 6 weeks.

Paul.