Working as an Accountant in Toronto
 

I recently qualified as a chartered accountant in Ireland and plan to travel to Toronto in early June on a one year working visa. Some of my friends are there already and have had some difficulty finding working. Apparently some permanent recruiters are not interesting in meeting them as they are only on one year visas. Does anyone have any advice about the best way to successfully find work as an accountant in Toronto? Does the one year visa severely limit my options? I realise my question is a little vague but any advice at all will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Re: Working as an Accountant in Toronto
 

If you only have a one year visa, why should a Canadian employer consider you for anything other than temporary/casual work? Unless employer is willing and able to sponsor for a work permit?

Re: Working as an Accountant in Toronto
 

Check out the redflagdeals career forums, lots of CAs/CMAs/CGAs there who should be able to point you in the right direction. Unfortunately JAJ is right if you only have a 1 year visa you will have a very difficult time finding a job.

Re: Working as an Accountant in Toronto
 

So you're an accountant, trained in Irish (European) accounting methods and laws, with no experience and you want to come to Canada for one year and get a job in the field? Honestly, your chances are between slim and none to be perfectly honest I think you're being a little optimistic.

Re: Working as an Accountant in Toronto
 

Thanks for your replies and I appreciate your honesty. I do realise it will be very tough, if not next to impossible to find a job considering that I am on a one year visa. I suppose I was just seeking confirmation of the situation.
I will check out your recommendations.

Perhaps I may be successful in gaining a temporary or contract role for a couple of months. Any suggestions regarding this would be helpful.

Either way I am looking forward to June and enjoying my year in Canada.

Re: Working as an Accountant in Toronto
 

You may be better off finding employment in a seasonal or hospitality job where they wouldn't expect you to stay long term...just saying it might be smarter then wasting half a year trying to find a job in an area where it's already competitive for locals.

Re: Working as an Accountant in Toronto
 

Ooo the replies are so harsh! I'm moving to Van in June and am also a chartered accountant looking for work. I think it will be hard, no doubt, but impossible - hopefully not.

A tip i have been given is to remember Canadians are converting to IFRS next year so if you studied it for the ACA exams (not sure what they do in Ireland)shove it at the top of your CV.

And obviously consider more junior roles, I guess the equivalent level of part qualified in the UK? And contract jobs such as covering maternity etc

Re: Working as an Accountant in Toronto
 

hang on a second, a lot of what is being said here is simply not true.

Here is my story.

I came here on a 2 year working holiday visa. I qualified as an Australian CA the day I got laid off from my former job at a big 4 firm, and then came to Canada in the middle of a recession and found a job within 2 months (2 jobs in fact). Admittedly it was difficult, but here are a few things you should be aware of:

- the way I sold it to employers was that they basically aren't taking on any risk. i said if things work out, i'll find a way to stay, if they dont like you, then they dont have to sponsor you. tell them within 3 or 4 months they will know whether things are working out, and at that stage they can sponsor you for another work permit or PR

- put your visa situation at the end of your resume, not at the start (i made this mistake). anyone who asks, be honest with them. it sounds as if you want to be there for longer than a year, so tell them that's your intention

Now admittedly a 1 year visa is very different than a 2 year visa, but there is one major thing you should be aware of that is massively in your favour.

Canada is adopting IFRS next year, so anyone with IFRS experience is well in demand right now. I had zero experience in financial reporting (i did 2 years of tax at a big 4), but just being from Australia meant people were interested, and people with tons more experience than me are asking for my help - even though they are 10x as qualified as I am. Being a CA from Ireland will get your foot in the door for sure.

Right now its really crunch time - a lot of companies have underestimated the workload involved in conversion and passed it to their corporate controller or manager of financial reporting as kind of a part time job. and right about now with 8 months to go they are finding out that its really a full time job. And if you don't have any luck with companies, a big 4 firm will probably snap you up pretty quickly.

So yeah... I'd definitely give it a try. Don't listen to anyone who says you can't do it etc... If it doesn't work out then who cares? You get to spend a year in a great country with no serious work commitments...

i'm happy to have a chat with you any time if it helps

Re: Working as an Accountant in Toronto
 

Brilliant stuff people, the last two posts have given me some great insight and a little hope.

Fortunately I do have some limited exposure to IFRS so will be highlighting that on my resume. Some excellent tips regarding how to approach my visa situation which I will take on board. Very kind of you david_oz to offer to chat sometime, I will be in touch man. Thanks again guys for your posts.

Re: Working as an Accountant in Toronto
 

no worries, any time

to be sure, this isn't the easiest country to arrive in with a foreign qualification and experience. but you are very lucky on the timing and i think you've got every chance.