Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA): Alternative Careers. A guide for newcomers to British Columbia

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1 Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA): Alternative Careers A guide for newcomers to British Columbia

2 Contents 1. Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA): Alternative Careers Employment Outlook Retraining Searching for Jobs Volunteering in the Field Helpful Resources Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA): Alternative Careers You may find that your international training and experience as an accountant are not immediately accepted in B.C. The analytical and math skills you have already acquired, along with your communication skills and hands-on experience, can be used in alternative careers. In Canada, the three legacy accounting designations, CA / CMA / CGA have merged under the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation. Source: and Alternative Careers: Loan Officer (NOC 1232) Also referred to as Mortgage Officer, Credit Officer, Account Manager Interview applicants for loans, research and evaluate applicant s financial status, complete credit and loan applications and submit to management with recommendations for approval or rejection, promote the sale of credit and loan services. Requirements: completion of secondary school and extensive general banking experience is usually required; a bachelor s degree related to commerce or economics may be required and/or completion of a loan/credit training program Communication skills Math skills Computer skills Wages: median hourly wage $ Last updated April 29,

3 Trust Officer (NOC 1114) Trust officers administer estate, personal, charitable and corporate trusts, direct trust account investments, receive and record investment income and disburse trust funds. Requirements: bachelor s degree in business administration, commerce, economics or a related field is usually required; additional courses may be required from financial organizations such as Institute of Canadian Banking, CSI - Canadian Securities Course, etc. Communication skills Detail oriented Administration abilities Computer skills Wages: median hourly wage $ Mortgage Broker (NOC 1114) Collect clients financial information (income, liabilities, assets), research mortgage options, explain options to clients, negotiate mortgage loans with lending institutions, and advise clients when making a decision. Requirements: degree in business administration, commerce, economics or a related field, and a mortgage broker licence ( Communication skills Detail oriented Administration abilities Computer skills Wages: median hourly wage $ Last updated April 29,

4 Bookkeeper (NOC 1311) Also referred to as Accounting Technician Maintain complete sets of books, keep records of accounts, verify the procedures used for recording financial transactions, and provide personal bookkeeping services. Requirements: completion of secondary school; additional education requirements vary depending on the position, some require completion of a college program in accounting or bookkeeping, some require accounting/bookkeeping courses plus relevant experience; some require first level of professional accounting program ability to both understand and work with numbers good communication skills strong organizational skills must be detail-oriented. Wages: median hourly wage: $ Supervisors, Finance and Insurance Office Workers (NOC 1212) Also referred to as accounts payable supervisor, accounts receivable supervisor, bookkeeping supervisor, collections supervisor, credit supervisor, payroll supervisor, supervisor of accounting Implement efficient working processes and co-ordinate, assign and review the work of clerks, examine and verify accuracy of work and authorize routine payments, credits and other transactions. Requirements: completion of a college program or courses in bookkeeping, accounting or a related subject is required examine and confirm accuracy of work good communication skills strong organizational skills analytical and results oriented Wages: median hourly wage: $ Last updated April 29,

5 2. Employment Outlook Demand for tax, financial instrument, forensic accounting, bankruptcy and information experts is increasing, and demand for accountants specializing in a specific industrial sector may also be on the rise. Financial Sales Representatives (NOC 6235) (Including Loan Officers) Many job openings are expected in the banking industry in British Columbia. These new jobs focus on building in-depth, value-added customer relationships. In keeping with this trend, banks are recruiting employees with higher education or skill levels. Source: Work BC Other Financial Officers (NOC 1114) (Including Financial Planners, Financial investigators, Trust Officers, Mortgage Brokers) Source: Work BC Last updated April 29,

6 Bookkeepers and Accounting Technicians (NOC 1311) Source: Work BC Supervisors, Finance and Insurance Office Workers (NOC 1212) Source: Work BC 3. Retraining The CPA certification program consists of: Academic prerequisites for admission to the CPA Professional Education Program, these prerequisite courses can be completed at an accredited Post-Secondary Institution or through the CPA Prerequisite Education Program (PREP) See: A 24 month part-time studies program, the CPA Professional Education Program (PEP) Examinations, including a common comprehensive final evaluation. 30 months of relevant practical experience. Source: Chartered Professional Accountants Canada Last updated April 29,

7 4. Searching for Jobs AccountingJobs.ca Adecco Hays.ca Indeed.ca Robert Half Finance & Accounting 5. Volunteering in the Field Volunteering can help you to explore a new career and learn more about engineering and technical work in B.C. You will meet new people and build a network of contacts that may lead to information on job openings and an inside connection at a potential employer. Go Volunteer Vancouver Charities Vancouver Volunteering Opportunities Volunteer BC BC Chartered Professional Accountants Last updated April 29,

8 6. Helpful Resources Canadian Bookkeepers Association Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia [for internationally educated accounting professionals] Mortgage Brokers Association of B.C. Mortgage Brokers Institute British Columbia Questions? Please ask the Information Staff in the Central Library, Vancouver Public Library or telephone Please note that the information in this guide is also available online through the Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre website at This project is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada with support from the Province of British Columbia. Last updated April 29,