Part Qualified accountant moving to Calgary
 

Hi Guys, i am a part quilified CIMA from UK moving to calgary in September. i am moving there as a perment resident, was wondering if you guys had any words of wisdom for me. Since i am not fully qualified i am not sure what my propects are going to be over there. I have been dworking in finance doing Finance/business analyst roles for over 10 years. I have also worked in SAP FICO implementation projects. I have been contracting through my own company for the last 2 years working for business like LLoyds banking, Rolls Royce etc. Any advise will be much appreciated.

Re: Part Qualified accountant moving to Calgary
 

Are you planning to finish your qualification at all? Or are you just leaving it partway?

Re: Part Qualified accountant moving to Calgary
 

I am leaving it part way, i have had my residency for just under 3 years so i cant drag it out any longer. i have to move there or risk loosing it. i have been looking into the CPA website and considering the CPA PEP route becaise i am an MBA. what do you think ?

Re: Part Qualified accountant moving to Calgary
 

I don't know enough about the Canadian chartered accountant designations, but i Would suggest getting in touch with them, explaining the courses you have done so far, and seeing if you can get any credit for what you've completed so far or if you have to start over with them.

Definitely move, though, so you can maintain your PR! :)

Re: Part Qualified accountant moving to Calgary
 

You should get some credits for your CIMA exams passed so far - depending on what you've done. I think the MBA should also go in your favour. I'm not sure which is the easiest/quickest route to follow. If you only have a bit of your CIMA left, maybe complete that then apply for a straight conversion to CPA (I'm assuming there's a reciprocal arrangement in place to allow this). The alternative is to complete whatever exams are required after you've got your credits for CIMA paper completes so far.

Re: Part Qualified accountant moving to Calgary
 

Thanks guys, appreciate your advise. I will give them a ring and see what they say. Will keep you guys posted.

Re: Part Qualified accountant moving to Calgary
 

Qualifications tend to lose some value when taken across borders. Incomplete qualifications even more so. So if you are nearly complete with CIMA, you should probably check to see if you can sit the final exam from Canada and then look at options to convert to a Canadian qualification. If only at early stages and your future is in Canada, you might be better off to switch to a Canadian pathway. You need to compare the different options and decide what is best.

Re: Part Qualified accountant moving to Calgary
 

Thanks JAJ, i am actually considering switching into a canadian pathway.
I think its going to make things weasier for me.

Re: Part Qualified accountant moving to Calgary
 

Do you happen to have a degree? May sound like a strange question but not all roads to CIMA require degrees

Re: Part Qualified accountant moving to Calgary
 

Hi Howefamily,

Yeah i got a batchlor's in commerce and also an MBA in finance and change management.
I have contacted the CPA and they have advised me to get my credentials validated throught a recognised agency there.

Re: Part Qualified accountant moving to Calgary
 

My wife was in the same spot. Part qualified CIMA. As you may know the syllabus structure is changing next year and she will continue with her studies and sit exams here. There's a CIMA Canada support/alumni.

She got a job relatively easily but we're in Ottawa. Two interviews, two job offers. Not as much as contract rates back home but still pretty good.

Re: Part Qualified accountant moving to Calgary
 

Thansk Crazyhorse1 thats puts me a bit at ease. I am happy to take a pay cut in comparison as long as i can get my food in the door.
Did your wife apply for jobs directly or through agencies, do you have any recomendations for me in terms what are my best options for job hunting.
From what i can see most jobs are asking for qualified people hence i was a bit concerned.

Re: Part Qualified accountant moving to Calgary
 

Great! That will help you considerably here

Re: Part Qualified accountant moving to Calgary
 

Hi Howe,
do you live in Calgary, if so what is live like over there.

Re: Part Qualified accountant moving to Calgary
 

Get registered with agencies. Find the right person from agency websites and reach out to them specifically and ask if you can come in to discuss options. Make sure your linkedin profile is up to date and include a photo. Indeed also is probably worth looking on for jobs.

My wife applied via agencies and some direct. Robert Half and Hays were the best. They will ask for references. Explaining UK corporates don't give references and prohibits employees from doing the same, won't cut it. You need to find a way around it.

A job spec may have 'fully qualified' as an asset but companies can and do overlook this if in other areas you are strong.

CIMA rather than CMA doesn't appear to have been an issue. She also is of the understanding CMA post qualified fees are a lot higher. Employers will cover costs typically but any break in career, this could be an issue.

You have similar strong corporate experience as my wife and a similar attitude regards pay. She came from a very lucrative bank contract but had she been in a permananat role, it's only a 10-20% drop down in salary at today's exchange rate.

Good luck!