Moving Abroad

roll with it

Hi all
Starting into final exams of CPA and wondering about moving abroad to work as an accountant, maybe the US.
Anyone have experience of this? I suppose i'm just looking to know how to start looking or even where to start looking.
Any help greatly appreciated!

Sand Wedge

First thing i suppose you need to find out is what countries your CPA qualification is recognised in?

roll with it

I know the predominant qualification in Amerca is CPA so i think i should be fairly covered there, maybe do some kind of bridging exam.
I guess what i;m trying to figure out is how you would go about applying for jobs etc. and how likely an Irish person is to get a position in a US firm.

HeinekenTicket

You may need to check the applicability of an Irish CPA qualification in the USA a bit more closely. My reading is that you need to be ACA in Ireland to be eligible for the bridging exams in the US for AICPA purposes.

Have a look at the following:

http://www.aicpa.org/Becoming+a+CPA/CPA+Candidates+and+Students/Education+Experience+Requirements.htm

djk1000

Irish CPA and US CPA are completely different and have no affiliation at all, it won't count for anything in terms of meeting the requirements to take US CPA exams, but your knowledge and experience should help you through the exams if you can meet the requirements to sit them in the first place.

Do you have a degree? Or do you know if the Irish CPA will give you exemptions towards getting a degree somewhere? You need to be a graduate to take US CPA exams.

roll with it

Thanks for replies.
Yes i have a degree in IT. I presumed CPA qualification here could take you anywhere.
Does this mean that a CPA qualification only qualifies you as an accountant in Ireland?

Sand Wedge

Hi OP,

You should get on to CPA. They should be able to give you all the details of where your qualification will be recognised.

kabuk1

You should go to the American CPA website to see what it says. It might be wise to contact someone from there. In all honesty, the worst that could happen is that they require you to sit the CPA exam there, which is one exam. I'm sure you'll be able to work something out.

roll with it

I've looked at the websites and there doesn't seem to be any information on taking your qualification abroad.
Just wondering is there anyone who has been in this situation from any accounting body????

kabuk1

Sorry, I meant to include the following. Licensing is done at the state level, so you will need to contact the Board of Accountancy in the state you plan on working in. Here is the link to the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA): http://www.nasba.org/nasbaweb/NASBAWeb.nsf/WPMSBL?OpenForm. This will provide the links for the Board of Accountancy in each state.

I'm not sure of your circumstances, but if you are eligible to search for a job now, your current qualification should allow you to do that. Your only issue might be auditing. It wouldn't hurt to send out your CV and then give a ring to your prospective employer.

Anyway, you should start by reviewing the State Board website and contacting someone there.

Best of luck.