Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA): Alternative Careers

Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA): Alternative Careers

A guide for newcomers to British Columbia

CPA: Alternative Careers

A guide for newcomers to British Columbia NOC 1111

Last updated November 14, 2014 2

Contents 1. Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA): Alternative Careers ......................... 2

2. Employment Outlook .................................................................................. 4

3. Retraining ................................................................................................. 6

4. Searching for Jobs ...................................................................................... 6

5. Volunteering in the Field ............................................................................. 6

6. Helpful Resources ....................................................................................... 7

1. 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: https://www.cpacanada.ca/ and http://www.bccpa.ca/

Alternative Careers:

Loan Officer (NOC 6235)

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

Skills:

Communication skills

Math skills

Computer skills

Wages: median hourly wage $23.44

www.workbc.ca/Careers/

CPA: Alternative Careers

A guide for newcomers to British Columbia NOC 1111

Last updated November 14, 2014 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.

Skills:

Communication skills

Detail oriented

Administration abilities

Computer skills

Wages: median hourly wage $30.77

www.workbc.ca/Careers/

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 (www.fic.gov.bc.ca/)

Skills:

Communication skills

Detail oriented

Administration abilities

Computer skills

Wages: median hourly wage $30.77

www.workbc.ca/Careers/

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

Skills:

ability to both understand and work with numbers

good communication skills

strong organizational skills

must be detail-oriented.

Wages: median hourly wage: $18.46

www.workbc.ca/Careers/

CPA: Alternative Careers

A guide for newcomers to British Columbia NOC 1111

Last updated November 14, 2014 4

Supervisors, Finance Office Workers

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

Skills:

examine and confirm accuracy of work

good communication skills

strong organizational skills

analytical and results oriented

Wages: median hourly wage: $24.62

www.workbc.ca/Careers/

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 http://www.workbc.ca/

CPA: Alternative Careers

A guide for newcomers to British Columbia NOC 1111

Last updated November 14, 2014 5

Other Financial Officers (NOC 1114)

(Including Financial Planners, Financial investigators, Trust Officers, Mortgage Brokers)

Source: Work BC http://www.workbc.ca/

Bookkeepers and Accounting Technicians (NOC 1311)

Source: Work BC http://www.workbc.ca/

Supervisors, Financial Office Workers (NOC 1212)

Source: Work BC http://www.workbc.ca/

CPA: Alternative Careers

A guide for newcomers to British Columbia NOC 1111

Last updated November 14, 2014 6

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:

https://www.bccpa.ca/become-a-cpa/program-information/cpa-prerequisite-

education-program-%28cpa-prep%29/

A 24 month part-time studies program, the CPA Professional Education Program

(PEP) https://www.bccpa.ca/become-a-cpa/program-information/cpa-professional-

education-program-%28cpa-pep%29/

Examinations, including a common comprehensive final evaluation.

30 months of relevant practical experience. https://www.bccpa.ca/become-a-

cpa/program-information/practical-experience-requirements-for-cpa-students/

Source: Chartered Professional Accountants Canada http://www.bccpa.ca/

4. Searching for Jobs AccountingJobs.ca

www.accountingjobs.ca/

Adecco

www.adeccousa.com/

Hays.ca

Indeed.ca

www.indeed.ca/

Robert Half Finance & Accounting

www.roberthalffinance.com/

www.hays.ca/

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

http://govolunteer.ca/

Vancouver Charities – Vancouver Volunteering Opportunities

www.vancouvercharity.ca/volunteer

Volunteer BC

www.volunteerbc.bc.ca/

BC Chartered Professional Accountants

http://www.bccpa.ca/

CPA: Alternative Careers

A guide for newcomers to British Columbia NOC 1111

Last updated November 14, 2014 7

6. Helpful Resources Canadian Bookkeepers Association – British Columbia

http://c-b-a.ca/certification/british-columbia-rpb/

Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia

http://www.bccpa.ca/

Mortgage Brokers Association of B.C.

www.mbabc.ca/

Mortgage Brokers Institute British Columbia

www.mbibc.ca/

Resume & Cover letter help

http://skilledimmigrants.vpl.ca/images/uploads/Pathfinders/Resume_Cover_Letter.pdf

Networking and accessing the hidden job market:

http://skilledimmigrants.vpl.ca/images/uploads/Pathfinders/Networking.pdf

Questions? Please ask the Information Staff in the Central Library, Vancouver

Public Library or telephone 604-331-3603.

Please note that the information in this guide is also available online through the Skilled

Immigrant InfoCentre website at http://siic.vpl.ca.

This project is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada with support

from the Province of British Columbia.