Sam_

Thanks for all your replies. Points taken re: needing post qualification experience to be sure but I'm hopeful I can demonstrate what is required and give it a go! I can't face another years wait!!

I can certainly demonstrate that my salary pre-qualification was at least comparable to that of a post qualification candidate so that might help. I get on well with my current and previous boss as well and I'm sure they will include in their letters that the work I was doing was at least comparable - surely this must weigh heavily in my favour?

As you all know as well there are two elements to becoming ACMA, passing exams and gaining the appropriate work experience. I had my practical experience assessed and approved by CIMA over a year ago before I finished exams - I personally take this to mean that at that point CIMA judged me to have all the practical skills required to be a professional Accountant and as I have worked for over a year since I am hopeful that they will also take this into account. I know a lot of people get their experience assessed only after passing exams so that the ACMA dates and practical assessment dates coincide - is that what you guys did?

By the way, are the work experience requirements to gain the 10 points (3 of the past 4 years experience) the same as the MODL 15 points (1 year experience)? If the 3 years experience requirements are not as stringent re: post qualification experience then at least I can gain those 10 points which along with the English proficiency would be enough. I have been employed specifically under the job title 'accountant' for the past 3 years so I still just about believe it can happen, I am an optimist though!

gunners1

OMG!!! I am also worried now!!

I am ACCA qualified (letters Nov 2006). Applied in May 2007 had a positive skill assessment from ICAA. I have over 7 years experience in a pharma company. I did not have 12 months post qual experience when I applied, but obviously do now. The role that I was doing when i applied is the same as after, so it was at a qualified level

I have in total claimed 130 points including 10 bonus points.So even if they refuse me the 10 bonus points I will get 120 which should be enough.

Is the DIAC rules that rigid that they would refuse me on a small technicality that I only had 6 months post qual experience when I applied rather than the 12 months. Surely they look at these each application on a case by case basis.

Ay comments appreciated.

Sam_

Has anyone considered state sponsorship to gain the additional points? Melbourne and Brisbane don't have Accountants included on their lists though, unless you want to go regional.

JAJ

Work experience requirements for:

- basic requirements
- MODL points
- work experience points

are exactly the same in principle, except that for basic requirements it does not have to be in the same SOL occupation as work experience.

Being optimistic and hopeful isn't going to impress DIAC in the slightest. Nor is CIMA's view of qualifying work experience (which is actually work experience to become qualified).

If you are serious about applying before you have the relevant amount of post-qualification experience, it would be folly to do so without good professional assistance. Maybe try Alan Collett?

JAJ

If you don't meet the basic requirements you will be refused before they even look at points.

I would recommend to get some professional assistance to review your case and see if additional evidence is needed to show that you have at least 12 months skilled work experience before you applied.

Work experience after application does not count.

Sam_

Funnily enough I wasn't expecting being optimistic to sway the minds of DIAC at all. Rather I meant it in the manner that I am optimistic that common sense will prevail.

Re: CIMA practical assessment. Yes I understand that the practical experience being assessed is to become qualified and is not qualifying experience itself. However, I do disagree that it is irrelevant as my view on the assessment is that by approving my practical experience CIMA are stating that 'at that point in time' I have built up enough knowledge in a practical sense to be sufficient for a professional skilled Accountant (from that time onwards) - as they approved my practical experience over a year ago this might be useful as I believe that constituents a years skilled experience.

I guess the point I am making is that the more information I can gather to back up my case the better. Together with letters from my current and previous employer clearly stating that the work I have done is that of a skilled professional Accountant and is absolutely comparable, it may help.

JAJ

It may help. Or it may not. Visa applications are not decided based on "common sense."

Your choice obviously as to how you wish to proceed. But you should familiarise yourself with the ASCO skill requirements for Accountant and see whether you fit in or not.

You can find the ASCO at http://www.abs.gov.au

Sam_

Hi Alan. I Would be grateful for your view on my own situation and how I should proceed on satisfying the 1 year work experience requirement.

I became ACMA qualified only in January 2008. Therefore strictly adhering to the post-qual experience rule I would have to wait until next Jan before I can apply.

However:

1. I have been employed specifically as an 'accountant' for the past 3-4 years. Both my current and previous employers will happily provide letters detailing my work experience with them and clearly specifically stating that the work I carried out and the salary paid was comparable with that of a qualified CIMA accountant.

2. My CIMA practical assessment was approved back in February 2007. I may struggle to prove this but my view on that is that it demonstrates that my experience at the time was deemed to be satistfactory enough to be assessed as (from that point onwards) that of a skilled professional Accountant.

Do you think it's worth going for it on this basis - surely the letters from employers should count for a lot? My current employer is a well known global financial institution so they shouldn't have any reason to doubt the authenticity.

Thanks.

Alan Collett

I have been seeking clarification from the Department of Immigration for several weeks on the assessment of accountants and the question of skilled work experience. I followed this up yesterday with Skilled Policy in DIAC Central Office, and will advise here upon receipt of a substantive reply.

Best regards.

NikiL

Thanks Alan, I think there will be a fair few people interested in the answer.

Sam_

Hi Luke,

I phoned DIAC last night and was told that if I was able to get my practical experience pre-qualification assessed by the NIA (for example) as being 'skilled' then along with the appropriate references I 'might' be alright. Frankly, I have no idea if the NIA will even consider doing this so might be a non starter but I've sent them an e-mail so will let you know what they say. I must stress though that DIAC were quite non committal and there are no guarantees I know but I'm considering giving it a go and applying, if I can persuade the NIA to assess my experience that is.

Sam_

Thanks for the congrats by the way, it's certainly nice to be able to finally put the luxury yacht industry behind me. At least until I win the lottery.....

Sam_

Hopefully they will accept it, you would think that if they had an issue with it they would have let you know by now if you applied back in May, but maybe they just take a long time. I would be interested to hear how you get on, good luck!

JAJ

This doesn't make any sense as the accountant skill assessment authorities don't assess work experience. I hope you are not planning to rely on the helpline.

Alan Collett

Personally, I think the assessing bodies rather than DIAC case officers should assess whether recent work experience (and work experience for the purpose of specific work experience and MODL points) is skilled - but that's a completely different issue I guess ...

Best regards.