ZIG

I am looking forward to finish my ACCA exams in June this year and apply membership straight after my exam results.

As ACCA has MRA with CGA which would allow me to apply for CGA membership once I have ACCA membership. What are the job prospects for a CGA member who do not have any professional work experience in last five years.

I worked for an international charity as financial coordinator after getting my master degree for five years until I moved to UK in 2005. I never worked in a finance role after that. Only achievement was probably the completion of ACCA.

Now I would be having ACCA and CGA designation within few months hopefully but I do not have any practical experience in last five years. I recently received my Canadian Immigration approval and thinking to move by the end of this year.

I am looking forward comments to see what kind of difficulties I would have to face to get some kind of finance role in Canada (any province). By finance role I mean even any entry level position

Would appreciate an early response please

HPJOS

Hello,

For CGA you need to have a minimum of one years relevant Canadian experience, so regardless of designation status from ACCA you cannot apply for this as soon as you get here. They say they will consider international experince but I think you would be wise to get some experience now in the UK, most people looking for CGA/ACCA qualifieds will want recent experience. Most people here study whilst working so you will mostly be competing against those in current employment as well as having letters after their name. Don't want to be negative but this is mostly reality here.

Also check your prior experience will qualify you for ACCA status if you have not done so already.

Good luck with the studies
Helen

ZIG

Many thanks Helen for you quick reply

I have already submitted my Practical Experience to ACCA and hope to hear from them within few weeks but certainly you are right that I should have some recent, relevant experience but the problem is same here in UK as well.

I am applying dozens of jobs every week but not getting any response. Job market is really tight at the moment here in UK. Actually I never wanted to move out of UK after getting my citizenship. Only thing which is forcing my to take this decision is my career.

I do not know lot about Canadian job market but a little bit research I did suggest that market in Canada is not that dry as compared to UK.

I have a young family at the moment (elder son is five years and younger one is 2 years) and I am in bit better position to take decision at this time instead after a year or so when my kids start regular schools here.

HPJOS

I agree, moving before the kids start school makes sense. I assumed you have residency in Canada when I made my statement before, is this the case? If not there is a pretty long and arduous process ahead and accountants don't generally qualify LMOs unless you are extremely specialist with skills no one else has.

My advice, keep researching Canada, get a job, even if it is a volunteer treasury job for a local charity it is something and will give you experience to put on your resume. Keep calling the agencies where you are registered, call HR depts in companies where you have applied asking if they got your application and explain how interested you are in their company and the job and that you would welcome the opportunity to meet with them.

Then make a reccie trip to your preferred Canadian location, all whilst finishing those exams

Helen

ZIG

Thanks a lot Helen

Actually I am already in receipt of Canadian Immigration (applied in 2004) and I have 12 months to enter in the country otherwise I will have to go through medical and other procedures again.

Novocastrian

My spidey sense is tingling. Have you already landed and returned to UK?

ZIG

lolz .... its getting confusing .... let me tell you whole story

I applied for Canadian Immigration from Pakistan in January 2004 (skilled class)

In the meanwhile in December 2004 I moved to UK on Highly Skilled Migrant Programme Visa

In September 2009 I received approval of my Canadian Immigration Visa ..... and after completing all other processes now I have 12 months to enter in Canada

At present I am in UK

I worked in a professional role from 1999 - 2004 before moving to UK.

Started ACCA in 2008 and currently studying for final two optional exams.

I hope this would be better

Novocastrian

Still a-tingle here. You got PR in Sept. 09 and you still haven't landed? If so, you had 12 months from the date of your medical to do so. When is that?

ZIG

Immigration approval is not PR .... its just approval of the theoretical part of the immigration application. After that Canadian High Commission would send you medical papers, once medical is done by an approved doctor than from the date of medical one will have 12 months to enter in Canada provided medical report is OK. My medical was done in April so until April 2011 I have to enter in Canada otherwise I will have to go through medical again.

I think it would make some sense

christmasoompa

It was confusing because you've said you have been approved for Canadian immigration, but until you get PR, that's not actually the case - you can still be refused.

Hence the confusion! Maybe a language problem, but you haven't actually been approved for PR yet or got 'Canadian immigration', you're still in the application process until you get passport requests and PR.

No idea about the accounting side of things, but just thought I'd clarify that for anybody reading, and also say welcome to the forum.

ZIG

Yes you are right until the PR or passport request nothing is decisive but historically not a lot of people get refused after their medical report is OK therefore, I used the word approval.

Anyway many thanks for your welcome and advises.

Novocastrian

All clear now on the tingling issue.

CO explained clearly what caused it.