Budgie1

Hi SJL,

I'm an Australian CA with 13 years experience who immigrated to Canada a year ago.

I think the best advice on this thread has already been given - ie move to the country you would like to live in; period.

In reality Australia vs Canada in terms of jobs for public practice accountants and general standard of living are largely the same. The particualr city you choose to live in is really what drives the differences.

Canada just like Australia is crying our desperately for Public Practice accounts across all provinces and I would doubt you would have any problems finding work very quickly.

I can't comment on how difficult it would be for a scottish CA to become a Canadian CA, for me it would involve sitting 1 exam but in reality my area of specialisation (SOX/Internal Audit) has other qualifications more important than a Canadian CA so I haven't bothered with it so far.

In my particular situation I took a year off and within a week of looking for work was offered 3 jobs in Calgary paying more than I was earning in Sydney, and my specialisation cuts down the job opportunities versus those available to a general practitioner.

I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was but of course in our profession for senior roles it really boils down to your experience and how well you interview - not what qualifications you have. But with 10+ years of experience and Big 8/6/5 experience on your resume I'd be surprised if you couldn't find a good role.

Hellboy663

First, congratulations on your successful settlement in Canada. You, I guess, is one of the lucky ones just like me, who managed to secure a permanent job in just 10 days after coming to Oz when 9 out of 10 immigrants have to actually start with temp or contract job because of their lack of local experience. Not all immigrants are able to sucessfully estabilsh themselves in Canada. There was a case of a Sri Lankan British accountant and his wife who sued the Canadian govt because they were not able to secure jobs in their fields. In fact, he complained that he had to shovel snow for 5 years.
You are right that a lot depends on your type of experience, your interpersonal & communication skills and of course also contacts. Many people tend to make the quantum leap with very little information about their prospective destinations perhaps because they think that everything will be roses when they get to their intended destinations. This attitude will lead to disaster. Proper research is required and alternative options have to be in place in case things don't work out.

Rob_999

I moved from UK to Canada 3 yrs ago with my wife. We are both Chartered Accountants (ACA - from ICAEW).

Both of us have had no problems whatsoever finding work. She now works as Financial controller of a large Canadian retail company, and I'm CFO of a startup, backed by a US private equity firm.

The market here is crying out for good accountants. I really don't understand where the "you'll end up shovelling snow" c*$p comes from, I'm guessing its those who believe they have right to walk straight into a job?? If you want to move to Canada it can be done, but be prepared that obviously a Canadian CA is going to have an advantage over you.

ICAEW is recognized by CICA, you have to sit a few conversion exams (I haven't done this - might get round to it at some point). I expect its the same for Scotland but not 100% sure. Doing this means you can put CA behind your name, and might open a few extra doors.

I also know about 20 expats who are over here working for PWC & KPMG, either permanently or on secondment. If you're in practise that is your best bet.

There is a poster on the Canadian branch (burton bunch) whose husband recently moved over from UK to Calgary as a partner in a firm. Might be worth a PM to her.

Hellboy663

Hi Rob:

Thanks for your post. First, congratulations to you and your wife on successfully estabilishing yourselves in Canada. In the case of going to Canada, I'm not trying to scare anyone here. This is the most common issue talked about where Canada brings in 1000s of qualified immigrants and after that just dumps them. You might want to look at *********.com, sorry that I'm not able to show the link here as it does appear when I try to post it. It tells you about all the immigrants' plights, those who emigrated to Canada with high hopes, about doctors driving cabs, engineers working in fast food etc. Of course, they have themselves to blame for not doing enough to find out about the advantages and pitfalls about their intended destiantion and probably thinking that its their birth right for people to wait for jobs in silver platters the moment they touch down in Toronto. Even here in Oz, many Asians especially Indians and third world country migrants with CA, Bachelors and Masters degrees are driving taxis, working as security officers or sales assistants in supermarkets but there are others who do very well for themselves as well. If you ask me for example, I'll not share the same opinion that a Sri Lankan CA driving a taxi might have about Oz. It depends on the person at the end of the day. Which is why contacts are very important. What I'd advice anyone on moving to places like Oz and Canada is that, try to mingle around as much as possible. Your contacts could come from any where, your local church friends, your neighbours, your family members, the professional accountancy orgnaization, charity organization or even the people whom you play soccer with or anyone for that matter. That will enhance your chances of finding a job fast.
As you are in Canada now, you might want to consider moving to the US? There are more opportunities there as opposed to Canada.

Rob_999

Is this a deliberate piss take?

There are just as many well qualified professionals driving taxies in the UK/ USA/ Australia and any other western country.... Canada is no different.

As for the US, why on earth would I want to move there? Into a dying economy????? Yeah that would be smart. Vancouver is booming right now, and offers a lifestyle no other city can match.

Rob_999

I've no idea what extent the mutual recognition is, but US CPA is a joke. I've just recruited a CPA for our Chicago office. Most of the applicants had minimal work experience, and almost all of them had no audit experience. At interview I asked each applicant exactly what exams they'd taken to get CPA. Every exam is done via the internet, with all but one being multiple choice. Thats a far cry from the UK & Canadian requirements.

JAJ

http://www.icabc.com/kb.php3?catid=9

The U.S. CPA exam is not done "via the internet" as you suggest, but instead at secure Prometric test facilities. There are four papers - 3 of which are multiple choice in part with simulations, the fourth which is multiple choice. Sounds easy but the pass mark is higher than the Canadian CA exam.

As for work experience, depends on the state. Illinois is one of the few states remaining (until 2010, at least) which allows someone to become a certified CPA without work experience. Such CPAs are not allowed to practice public accounting.

Hellboy663

Sorry, I did not mean to be offensive in any way and my apologies if it had appeared that I was. I'm not really sure about the real situation in Canada now, as I have not been there recently. My opinion was from websites, news articles, by talking to some people and from my observation during my visit to Toronto about 6 years back. I'm not very sure about what's going on there now. Of course, if you are happy in a place and doing well for yourself, that's what matters at the end of the day.

Cheers

Hellboy663

Quite agree with Jeremy. The US CPA may appear easy because the bulk of the lot in the exams are multiple choice questions and though it may not be as difficult as the ACCA or CA, its not really a joke or a breeze and its not done via the internet. I have taken the exams a couple of years back before coming to Oz. The exams are taken at Prometric Centres and they are purely computer based. You may be a qualified ACCA or CA but some preparations are still necessary, as some of the things are different from what we do in the UK or some other parts of the world. I'm a qualified ACCA and I still had to study and do my own preparations for the exams. Going without any preparations at all and hoping to pass the exams is like going to war and hoping to win by fighting the heavily armed enemies bare handed. The passing grade is also 75% and its going to be a real challenge for someone who has mimimal preparations to attain this score.

As for work experience, I guess that it matters a great deal as to which state you've got your CPA from. When I applied for a job here in Oz, believe it or not, when I said that I had a US CPA, my employer wanted to know which State I had got it from. I guess getting the CPA from a state that is somewhat relaxed in its requirements can put you at a distinct disadvantage.

Dis-Illusionist

Hi Guys,

I've just registered so i can ask a question on the topic being discussed. I was in the process of filling in my visa application and i happened across this thread. I'm considering moving to Toronto to work as an accountant. I'm ACCA qualified and work in a Building Society (similar to Bank for those who don't know) in the UK. Obviously i'd be looking for a similar type of job but would also be happy to work in any industry.

You guys have got me a tad worried about the prospects of me finding a job when i get there. Over the last couple of years I've been concentrating on FSA Regulatory Reporting and am currently in charge of getting Basel II Advance IRB accreditation for our Society.

From what i've read i get the impression that Canadian employers aren't really going to be bothered with what i'm capable of because what they're really looking for is a locally trained accountant or someone who has experience of working in the Top4 behind them. Couple that with the fact that my last couple of years of work has been more of Management Account rather than Financial Accountant would i be making a mistake thinking i haven't got an uphill struggle?

...i'll hold off finishing the application until i get some replies....

Can anyone recommend any recruitment guys i can have a chat with ?

Rob_999

Building Societies are call "Credit Unions" here, make sure your resume (CV) has these kind of changes before sending out to employers. Regulatory & compliance will also differ, so experience there is less of an advantage. Highlight your skills that will be relevant for Canada - management accounting for example is the same wherever you are...

I don't have top4 background or locally trained, and I've had no problem finding work. I did work for a major US brand back in the UK, so that might have helped....

Robert Half Management Resources are worth speaking with - very good for temporary work. IMO this is the best way to break into the market, as it get's that all important Canadian experience on your resume.

Don't give up on the application, just give it some thought. You can make the transition, just don't expect it to be as easy as getting a job in the UK.

Dis-Illusionist

Thanks for the reply Rob. Its 23.50 here and my wifes just told me to fill the application in now!

But seriously, that gives me a bit more confidence. Not afraid of hard work as i started out contracting many years ago and am a real people person (like taking the pi55 some would say!).

Do you know the general state of the employment market in Toronto, do you guys feel the economic slowdown of America yet?

...ps who ever said getting the right job in the UK was a walk in the park

Dis-Illusionist

p.s. would you recommend getting the ACCA:CGA equivalence thing done. I understand they do on-line courses.

Any tips on making myself more marketable would be appreciated ...and that includes doing further studying.

JAJ

Yes. Do you also have a university degree?

Dis-Illusionist

Yes, I have a BA Hons in Accounting&Finance.