Accountant Visa 189/190 requirements

[wannabeaozzie]

Hi

 

My background is I have had years of accountancy work experience doing accounting technician level (I have completed level 2/3 of AAT) I have just enrolled in university for a degree BA(HONS) in accountancy and finance.

 

I know I am talking way into the future here (3 years for course plus 3+ years in the job itself) and that after that many years it may not be on the SOL or CSOL lists however I want to make sure I am heading in the right direction now instead of down the line I have gone somewhere else haha!

 

So my question is (and please humor me) in theory if it doesn't get taken off and I am 34 years old have a BA(HON) degree, AAT DIPLOMA 8 years in the trade post degree and 3+ years after would I typically be within the guide range that would allow me to apply for PR?

 

Many thanks

[abz123]

Hi and welcome to PIO

 

To the best of my recollection, AAT is not recognised as a full accountancy qualification i.e. it is not deemed to be the equivalent of ACCA/CIMA/CA/ACA/CIPFA

 

Take a look at the Australian CPA or ICAA websites as both will have sections of what they require for skills assessment purposes to determine whether you meet the criteria or not.

[wannabeaozzie]

Hi and welcome to PIO

 

To the best of my recollection, AAT is not recognised as a full accountancy qualification i.e. it is not deemed to be the equivalent of ACCA/CIMA/CA/ACA/CIPFA

 

Take a look at the Australian CPA or ICAA websites as both will have sections of what they require for skills assessment purposes to determine whether you meet the criteria or not.

 

Hi

 

Many thanks for your reply. Sorry perhaps I didn't word it correctly but I know that AAT wouldn't suffice in terms of a equalisation high enough to be relevant for migration however I am referring to a theory based question if in 6 years time I would fall in to the below category and assuming that things don't change... However I am aware they might change but either way I want to get my degree because I will be financially better off in a better job and if in the future I was able to apply for PR that would be great. Anyhow I mean the below:

 

I am 34 years old

BA (Hons) accountancy and finance

8 years pre degree work experience

3 years post degree work experience

 

Would I be going down the right track if in the future I was in the position to apply for PR

 

Thanks again

[Alant]

To stand a chance of a permanent visa, you would need to be qualified. I'm a CIMA qualified Accountant. The fact you (will) have a degree will help your visa application but you will still need to be qualified and have your skills assessed by CPA etc. With your experience etc I would suggest that you by-pass the degree as it will take 3-4 years to complete and go straight to CIMA or ACCA and start your professional qualification. Your degree will only get you a few exemptions (with CIMA I got exempt from all the certificate level and 2 of the managerial level exams with an accounting degree....it may be slightly different now) - you could (depending on how many exams you sit and pass each sitting) take you 3 years to be qualified! Don't get me wrong, it's useful having your degree but it's more important to be qualified from a migration perspective! Good luck in whatever you choose to do!

[wannabeaozzie]

To stand a chance of a permanent visa, you would need to be qualified. I'm a CIMA qualified Accountant. The fact you (will) have a degree will help your visa application but you will still need to be qualified and have your skills assessed by CPA etc. With your experience etc I would suggest that you by-pass the degree as it will take 3-4 years to complete and go straight to CIMA or ACCA and start your professional qualification. Your degree will only get you a few exemptions (with CIMA I got exempt from all the certificate level and 2 of the managerial level exams with an accounting degree....it may be slightly different now) - you could (depending on how many exams you sit and pass each sitting) take you 3 years to be qualified! Don't get me wrong, it's useful having your degree but it's more important to be qualified from a migration perspective! Good luck in whatever you choose to do!

 

Hi thanks for this

 

Ooh so u need degree plus cima? So in your instant for your visa did u have both? Or just one then did the skills assessment for the visa process?

 

 

Problem is with two children I was relying on going and doing this full time with tuition fees would be paid for at the end and student finances which include grant for childcare because at the moment I work part time it would mean I would need to get a full time job and someone who would sponsor and pay for me to do cima as well as working full time and where I would be paying out around £700 a month in childcare fees damn will need to rethink this now but thanks for letting me know.

[Tracy Vickers]

Hi

 

I agree with Alant getting your CIMA/ACCA would be a better move.

 

If you do decide the Uni route I would check out CPA website and see which Uni's and courses they automatically recognize other wise you will have to send uni syllabus off to the assessing body you choose

 

Tracy

[Alant]

Hi thanks for this

 

Ooh so u need degree plus cima? So in your instant for your visa did u have both? Or just one then did the skills assessment for the visa process?

 

The degree is not a necessity - your professional qualification is. My suggestion was the quickest way in which to secure a visa as an accountant (provided it stays on the SOL). I appreciate you have other commitments (both family and financial) that stops you from securing a role where study support is provided. However, you should bear in mind that you will have to complete CIMA, ACCA or CA after you finish uni & you may still have similar commitments that will impact you when you study. It might be worth getting it (your professional qualification) over and fine with as without it you will have virtually no chance of obtaining a skilled permanent visa.

 

We are on a permanent 189 visa (we arrived in Perth in Sept 2013) but my wife was the main applicant (she is from a health background) so my skills didn't require to be assessed!

[abz123]

I just checked the ICAA website and there is a tertiary qualification i.e. degree route too. Came as a surprise to me.

 

I echo the others in terms of having ACCA or CIMA though to help your employment prospects down the line.

 

I know what AAT is but doubt many Australians would however or they would probably treat it like a Cert IV which is a bit like HND level if those still exist in the UK.

 

CIMA has an advantage over ACCA in that you can obtain CPA through mutual recognition, or at least you used to. Not sure if they extended the period that they were granting it for as it is a while since I did this.

 

CIMA is also "easier" than ACCA having seen what my OH had to do compared to my syllabus. That was a good few years ago though so may have changed.

 

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[Kuriatko]

Hi everybody.

I am an Italian Chartered Accountant and Legal Auditor. I have a 5 years University Degree (3 years bachelor + 2 years master's degree).

I am enrolled in Italian professional registers of Chartered Accountants (so called "Ordine dei Dottori Commercialisti" ) and Legal Auditors (so called "Registro dei Revisori Legali" ).

Does anybody know if one (or both) of the above mentioned professional bodies could be recognised by ICAA/CPA/IPA as a "fully recognised overseas accounting body" in order to obtain a positive skill assessment suitable for a 189 or 190 vista?

Best.