George Lombard

I received the following message from ICAA today suggesting that they're increasing their prices and reducing their processing times. However a quick call to both CPAA and NIA suggests that the others are maintaining current prices and also reducing processing times to be in step with ICAA.

I have to note that accounting will be a much less popular occupation after 1 September so you do wonder whether ICAA has misread the market. That being said, we tend to use them as they're also in Sydney and pleasant to deal with - of course we will continue to accept instructions from clients on the choice of assessing body.

Message follows:




The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia provides fast, efficient, professional service in assessing skills for the purpose of migration to Australia.

Fast turn-around time guaranteed
The Institute recognises the importance of expediency in assessing qualifications for people who wish to migrate to Australia. Our current processing times of assessments are:

2 - 3 weeks: Overseas qualifications plus Australian graduate conversion course
Australian qualification/s
Member of fully or partially recognised overseas body

6 - 8 weeks: Overseas qualifications

The efficiency of the Institute’s service is supported by the investment we make in ensuring our professional assessors are well trained and up-to-date in their knowledge of degree programs and other qualifications. This commitment to professional quality service always comes at a competitive price. From 1 July, 2007 our fees for skills assessments will increase to $395 to align with cost increases we have experienced. Regular clients of the service will be aware this is the first increase since 2003 and is commensurate with the consumer price index increase over the same period.

Professional service driven by well trained competent staff
The individuality of each applicant’s assessment requires a broad knowledge of national and international qualifications. The Institute’s professional assessment staff are specialists in this area and are supported by extensive databases with the most up-to-date course information available. We routinely check if we have a precedent application, which avoids delays in sourcing syllabus details from overseas universities.

Migration agents are encouraged to contact us for advice about qualifications.

Certify your client’s documents
The Institute is now accepting documents certified by migration agents who are registered with the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA). Certification cannot be accepted if you are not registered with MARA.



Cheers,

George Lombard

worzel

Why???

JAJ

Because of the new rules for graduating students, not least the requirement to have work experience to get the MODL points.

worzel

Oh, ok. Only so far as in getting into Australia not about being a beancounter generally. I thought they were going to do something horrid like banning grey suits or taking our calculators away.

SunshineGirl

You can't take my calculator away!? I'm not complete without it!

SunshineGirl

Actually, on a serious note, can you explain how the new rules affect accountants? Not that it affects me, but I am interested to know.

JAJ

Up to now, a bachelors degree in accountancy is enough to get a skill assessment as an accountant and claim MODL points.

Lots of students are getting bachelors degrees in accountancy, and have a good chance of becoming permanent residents as a result (no work experience is needed). However these "accountants" aren't CAs, often don't speak English properly (even with Australian degrees), and many of them will never be more than taxi drivers.

DIAC have become tired of this, hence the rules are changing to insist on a more real skill base.

soulrebel

Hi JAJ

Do you mean that people "buy" their degrees in some countries? I have heard this but thought DIAC would have known about this.

By "CA" do you mean chartered accountant?

Do you have a link with the specific changes that DIAC will bring in?

My wife is ACCA and has a bachelors degree and 5 years experience as a fund accountant so should she ok? Or will she? Will look at the changes.

JAJ

"Bought" degrees are not acceptable for migration purposes. What I was trying to say is that regular degrees from Australian universities are acceptable to migrate without any work experience, however the quality of some of these degrees leaves a lot to be desired.

To work as a professional accountant in Australia, most employers will expect you to be professionally qualified (CA or CPA, with CA preferable).

Correct.

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/gener...nges/index.htm

If she is ACCA qualified she ought to be ok to migrate. However she ought to plan to become an Australian CA in due course.