Babykiss

My hubby is applying us under Skilled-Independent subclass 136. He has been a self-employed accountant for 4 years now. Before being self-employed, he worked in an accounting firm for 2 yrs..My questions are the ff:

1. What documents do we need to prove he has been self-employed these past years?
2. Do we still need to get references from his past employer before he became self-employed?

Thank you for all your help!God Bless to us all!

GinaUK

You don't say what country you're from. But, if you're in the UK, then your husband must have tax returns if he is self-employed and accounts for each year. Copies of those would be a good start.

He also needs to prove "experience". For that he'll need references from his clients. Have a look at the ASCO code for "accountants" to see what's required:
http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/[email protected]?opendocument

and here:
http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/[email protected]?opendocument

Best to write out what he wants the various clients to say (making sure it covers what's required under the ASCO code), then ask each of the clients to print it on their headed notepaper and sign and date it.

If you're going for points for "specific work experience", you need references that cover three out of the last four years.

Hope this helps. Might be an idea to contact a migration agent. We used "Go Matilda" and were very happy with them: http://www.gomatilda.com

Gina

Babykiss

Thanks Gina,
Would it hurt if w also sent in our credit card statements?For additional proof of income..Thanks.

JAJ

Credit card statements don't prove anything, unless it's a corporate credit card.

Before he can think about migrating he'll need a skill assessment, is that already done?

Things you'll probably need to show include:
- financial accounts and tax returns for his practise
- his professional membership and practising certificate
- references from clients and professional colleagues
- publicity material for his practise

Even with a skill assessment, DIMA are going to look closely at his work experience to make sure he's working as a professional accountant - and not as a book-keeper.

Babykiss

Hi JAJ,
My hubby got 135pts. from his points test, so I guess we're ok in that department. We already got references from his clients. Will also send in our tax returns. I also got suggestions to send in a statutory declaration..what would this consist of?Thanks.

JAJ

If he doesn't meet basic requirements (including recent skilled work experience) the application will be refused before they even look at the points test.

For the kind of detailed, specific advice you need, you really ought to hire a migration agent who is familiar with accountant-specific issues.

crebano

Hi! Im also a self-employed accountant from the Phils. I am also a certified consultant of an accounting software with main office in Australia. I would like to know if the CERTIFIED CONSULTANT CERTIFICATE is enough to prove my practice. I am applying under subclass 136. Do I still need to get references from my clients? How about contracts instead? I also have a website, do I need to give the link to my website?

Thanks

GinaUK

The visa application is a two step process.

STEP 1
This is the skills assessment. Your "certified consultant certificate" is unlikely to be sufficent for the skills assessment. There are a number of ways for getting your skills assessed as an accountant (see DIMA booklet No 6). You will need to provide exactly the documentation that the skills assessing body are asking for (and they are all asking for more than your "certificate").

STEP 2
This is the actual visa application. You need to include the positive skills assessment which you have received under "step 1". (If you didn't get a positive skills assessment then you can't submit a visa application for 136).

You also need to prove "work experience". Your certificate will not be sufficient because you need to prove the work experience for a set number of months (how many months depends on whether you are proving basic work experience or going for extra points - again see booklet no 6). If your day-to-day work doesn't meet the DIMA criteria for the ASCO code you are applying under, then your visa will be refused because you didn't meet the work experience criteria. Having qualified as an accountant is not sufficient for the visa application; you also need to meet the specific work criteria laid down by DIMA in the relevant ASCO code. Your certificate therefore cannot prove your work experience, but references from clients should spell out in detail what you did for them - thus proving specific work experience.

DIMA like to see audited accounts, tax returns and client references because they can contact your accountant and your clients and check that you really did do the work.

Can I suggest that you visit http://www.immi.gov.au , download booklet no 6 and study it in detail. It may also help using an agent, such as "Go Matilda" (http://www.gomatilda.com)

Gina

crebano

Hi Gina,

I have submitted my docs to NIA for skills assessment, it's still in process (step 1). I'm now concerned with the work experience requirement for visa 136 (step 2).

I usually have engagement letters with my clients which detail all the work to be done and conformed by client, would these suffice? Or it really has to be a client reference? Do I have to go back to all my clients or just a few is enough?

Thank you so much for your reply.

crebano

GinaUK

The best way with the references is to write them out yourself, then ask each client nicely whether they wouldn't mind printing the reference on their letterheaded paper and signing and dating it.

The references may need to be a bit more detailed than your engagement letters - make sure you check the ASCO code you are applying under. Bear in mind that DIMA staff are not accountants; they will just check what you've written against the ASCO code.

I am not a migration agent and I don't know whether you should get references from all your clients or just a few. My husband is an employed accountant and that it considerably easier to document than when you are self-employed. My best advice to you is to use a reputable agent such as "Go Matilda". The owner, Alan Collett, is a self-employed accountant himself and knows exactly what's required for DIMA.

Good luck.

Gina

crebano

Thanks Gina.

Fortunately, I have already asked another applicant who happened to be self-employed too. She already got advice for medical exam. Im still waiting for her reply as to the detailed format of referrals.

This morning I asked a few clients if they're willing to make referrals for me. They positively agreed, however, they opt that I make it myself and they'll just print and sign it. That's to my advantage I guess.

Is there any summary of job descriptions for each ASCO code?

Thanks again.

GinaUK

There is indeed! You can download the whole document with all the ASCO codes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Below are the descriptions for various types of accountants and auditors.

As I said before: when you describe the tasks you do, make sure you use the vocabulary from the relevant ASCO code.

Gina

UNIT GROUP 2211 ACCOUNTANTS
ACCOUNTANTS plan and provide accounting systems and services relating to the financial dealings of enterprises and
individuals, and advise on associated record-keeping and compliance requirements.
Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this unit group is a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience
is required in addition to the formal qualification.
Tasks Include:
§ assisting in the formulation of budgetary and accounting policies
§ preparing financial statements for presentation to boards of directors, management, shareholders, and statutory bodies
§ conducting financial investigations, undertaking audits, preparing reports, and advising on such matters as the purchase and
sale of businesses, mergers, capital financing, suspected fraud, insolvency and taxation
§ examining operating costs and the income and expenditure of institutions
§ providing assurance about the accuracy of information contained in financial reports and their compliance with statutory
requirements
§ providing financial and taxation advice on business structures, plans and operations

Occupations: 2211-11 Accountant
2211-11 Accountant
Plans and provides systems and services relating to the financial
dealings of enterprises and individuals, and advises on
associated record-keeping and compliance requirements.
Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree
or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience is
required in addition to the formal qualification. Registration or
licensing is required.
Tasks Include:
§ assists in the formulation of budgetary and accounting policies
§ prepares financial statements for presentation to boards of
directors, management, shareholders, and statutory bodies
§ conducts financial investigations, undertakes audits, prepares
reports, and advises on such matters as the purchase and sale
of businesses, mergers, capital financing, suspected fraud,
insolvency and taxation
§ examines operating costs and the income and expenditure of
institutions
§ provides assurance about the accuracy of information
contained in financial reports and their compliance with
statutory requirements
§ provides financial and taxation advice on business structures,
plans and operations
§ liaises with bankers and brokers to establish funds
management arrangements
§ may advise on the selection and application of
computer-based accounting systems
§ may appraise cash flow and financial risk of capital investment
projects

Specialisations:
Financial Analyst
Insolvency Practitioner
Taxation Agent

UNIT GROUP 2212 AUDITORS
AUDITORS design and operate information and reporting systems to meet external financial reporting requirements and
examine, verify and report on financial and managerial systems and outcomes to ensure compliance.
Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this unit group is a bachelor degree or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience
is required in addition to the formal qualification.
Tasks Include:
§ providing independent opinion on the financial performance of an organisation, and the extent to which its obligations are
fulfilled
§ verifying the accuracy of information contained in accounting records
§ verifying the existence of assets and liabilities mentioned in reports
§ preparing financial statements and reports for management, shareholders and statutory bodies
§ establishing audit objectives, designing and implementing audit methodologies, processes and audit report criteria
§ reporting to management on the existence and effectiveness of internal control systems

Occupations: 2212-11 External Auditor
2212-13 Internal Auditor
2212-11 External Auditor
Designs and operates information and reporting systems to
meet external financial reporting requirements.
Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree
or higher qualification. In some instances relevant experience is
required in addition to the formal qualification. Registration or
licensing is required.
Tasks Include:
§ provides independent opinions on the financial performance
of an organisation, and the extent to which its obligations are
fulfilled
§ verifies the accuracy of information contained in accounting
records
§ verifies the existence of assets and liabilities mentioned in
reports
§ prepares financial statements and reports for management,
shareholders and statutory bodies
§ determines the efficiency and effectiveness of companies and
government departments
§ may examine the records of government departments,
statutory and municipal authorities and government-owned
companies

2212-13 Internal Auditor
Audit Officer
Examines, verifies, evaluates and reports on financial,
operational and managerial processes, systems and outcomes to
ensure financial and operational integrity and compliance.
Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree
or higher qualification. In some instance relevant experience is
required in addition to the formal qualification. Registration or
licensing is required.
Tasks Include:
§ evaluates the cost effectiveness and risks of operational
processes, activities, policies and systems
§ reports to management on the existence and effectiveness of
the system of internal controls
§ prepares financial statements and reports for management,
shareholders and statutory bodies
§ establishes audit objectives, designs and implements audit
methodologies, processes and audit report criteria
§ identifies and applies relevant professional standards and
regulatory requirements
§ discusses reports with other auditors and issues reports
recommending performance or control improvements

UNIT GROUP 2213 CORPORATE TREASURERS
CORPORATE TREASURERS manage corporate funding, liquidity and financial risk associated with the profitable development
and operation of a business.
Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this unit group is a bachelor degree or higher qualification or at least 5 years relevant experience.
In some instances relevant experience is required in addition to the formal qualification.
Tasks Include:
§ controlling treasury and treasury systems and the establishment and review of risk management objectives and treasury
policies
§ developing financial aims and strategies, financial structures, dividend policy, investment appraisals, including acquisition and
divestment appraisals
§ identifying, managing and reporting on financial risks
§ assisting with equity management, debt management, securities, and tax planning issues

Occupations: 2213-11 Corporate Treasurer
2213-11 Corporate Treasurer
Financial Risk Manager
Manage corporate funding, liquidity and financial risk associated
with the profitable development and operation of a business.
Skill Level:
The entry requirement for this occupation is a bachelor degree
or higher qualification or at least 5 years relevant experience. In
some instances relevant experience is required in addition to
the formal qualification. Registration or licensing may be
required.
Tasks Include:
§ controls treasury and treasury systems and the establishment
and review of risk management objectives and treasury policies
§ develops financial aims and strategies, financial structures,
dividend policy, investment appraisals, including acquisition
and divestment appraisals
§ identifies, manages and reports on financial risks
§ assists with equity management, debt management, securities
and tax planning issues
§ may develop and maintain cash management systems, manage
financial assets, assess interest rates and liquidity risks

crebano

Hi Gina,

Great! Thank you so much. You really helped!!!

burton bunch

Babykiss

Dont know if your hubby knows but for a uk accountant to pracitce in canada he will have to take a reciprocity exam thru the province institute for accountants.

Gaynor

GinaUK

Gaynor,

if you read Babykiss's first post, you'll realise he is applying for a visa for Australia not Canada .

Gina