If you are wondering if it will be difficult to immigrate to Canada as an accountant, we can resolve this issue right now, it will not be. As a highly trained and skilled professional, the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRCC) has tailored immigration programs to make your immigration intentions as effective as possible. The next question you will probably ask yourself is what are your prospects for employment in Canada. We can confidently say, well.
Canada has no problem with highly skilled people, in fact, you will arrive in a country with one of the most educated adult populations in the world. Almost 32% of the population aged 25 to 64 have a bachelor’s degree or above and an overwhelming majority of 61% have some form of post-secondary education. However, Canada is having difficulty meeting the demands of our labor market.
As the economy continues to grow, our workforce is aging too quickly and there are simply not enough young people to fill the existing and new positions created each year. To solve this problem, Canada is looking outward. So, if you are seriously considering immigrating to Canada, read on to find out more about immigration programs, employment opportunities, and life in Canada.
Immigration Options
Now we’ll cover three of the most popular immigration options, but keep in mind that there are over 80 visa and immigration programs available. The best for you will depend on a variety of factors, from the lifestyle you want to live to the demand for your profession in the 13 provinces and territories.
Express Entry
Now we’ll cover three of the most popular immigration options, but keep in mind that there are over 80 visa and immigration programs available. The best for you will depend on a variety of factors, from the lifestyle you want to live to the demand for your profession in the 13 provinces and territories.Advertisements
- Federal Skilled Worker Program – that’s you!;
- Federal Skilled Trades Program; and
- Canadian Experience Class – could be you if you want to feel it out first.
You must create a profile in which you enter your data. An Overall Ranking Score (CRS) is calculated based on the information you provide and enter into a pool of candidates. Then, draws are organized periodically during which the candidates are selected from the pool according to their CRS. But first, you must be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. The eligibility and scoring criteria are:
Age
The highest scores for this category are given to people aged 20-35, every year after a point is deducted from your possible limit of 12 points, if higher don’t worry you will get it back in the category next.
Experience
As you can imagine, points are awarded based on the number of years you have worked as a qualified accountant. One year of experience is worth 9 points, but you can add an additional point for each year of experience you have. You are capped at 6 years or more, which means you are entitled to an additional 6 points, bringing your total to 15 points.
Education
You will need an Educational Credential Assessment (EDE) to verify your qualifications. A bachelor’s degree in applied business is worth 23 points.
Language Skills
Fluency in English or French is important for living and working effectively in Canada. You will have to take a Canadian language reference test (CLB), such as IELTS, TOEFL, or DILF (initial French language diploma). Depending on your score, you will receive up to a maximum of 28 points. This assumes that you are a proficient linguist and can read, write, listen, and speak in English or French. In reality, you are looking to earn 20-24 points in this category.
Arranged Employment
Obtaining a valid job offer is a game-changer, as you will add great point value when your CRS is calculated. A job offer stating that you will work permanently as an accountant is worth 200 points. Make sure this is a permanent position (not seasonal) and that the contract does not have a fixed end date or you will be allowed to work in Canada with a temporary work permit, but it will not count not for your application for permanent residence.
Adaptability
You can take care of yourself, of course, but you can also earn good points by showing it to IRCC. Several factors may work in your favor for the final category. For example, you and your spouse or domestic partner (if you have one) can earn up to 10 points depending on a variety of factors, ranging from cooperative employment to language ability, having parents already living in Canada, and more.
Provincial Nomination Program
The Provincial Nomination Program has a system similar to Express Entry but is province-specific. So if you have a job offer in British Columbia, for example, you could apply for a provincial appointment from the provincial government of British Columbia. If you are successful, you will receive a letter that you can submit with your application for permanent residence to IRCC. It might seem like the longest path, but it gives you more control over the process. You can also apply for a provincial appointment without a job offer through the Express Entry system, by creating an expression of interest in a particular province in which you wish to live, or by applying directly to the province. Accountants are sought after in most provinces, so their chances are very good. If your provincial nomination is successful on your Express Entry profile, you will earn 600 points towards your CRS, which, since you are eligible to immigrate to Canada, virtually guarantees your invitation to permanent residence.
Atlantic Immigration Pilot
The east coast of Canada remains relatively unknown to immigrants in general. The Atlantic provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia have come together to create the Atlantic Immigration Pilot, an immigration channel dedicated to meeting the province’s most extreme labor needs, which are numerous. There are three categories:
- Atlantic International Graduate Program – study to become an accountant or do your masters at an institution in Atlantic Canada to be eligible for this program
- Atlantic High Skilled Program – if you are already qualified and have a job offer in one of the provinces listed above, you are eligible for this program. The job offer must be for at least one year and be full time
- Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program – for people with a job offer that require a high school diploma and on-the-job training.
There are currently over 100 accountant positions available in Atlantic Canada alone, which also excludes audit and accountant positions, which are advertised as separate occupations.
Life in Canada
Canadians work hard and play harder. Whatever your poison, Canada can offer it to you. If you love the outdoors, you would choose the country with the most beautiful and accessible landscapes in the world. If you like to travel, from the east coast to the west coast there are two different worlds, they are literally in different time zones. It is over 6000 km between Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Vancouver, British Columbia. In the middle is the French-speaking province of Quebec, which you can zoom in to get a taste of Europe if you want. Here are some of the activities Canada can offer after-hours:
Skiing and snowboarding
Winter in Canada means one thing, snow and tons. As far as the eye can see, fields, towns, villages, and mountains are covered with snow. The only place that is saved is the forest floor, as the dense pines and other trees that cover 40% of the total landscape protect it. Lakes and ponds freeze into perfect natural rinks, and best of all, the mountains get a good dose of soft powder snow, making it one of the best places to ski or snowboard on the planet. It could all be in your backyard.
Live Events
While there are shows in the winter, in the summer the cities come alive with festivals, musical performances, sporting events, and much more. Watch your favorite bands perform live, savor delicious meals at Friday night food truck events in city parks, and most importantly, drive-ins.
Cost of Living
Canada has always been ranked among the best countries in the world for quality of life. This is in part because housing, food, and entertainment are affordable for everyone. An average two-bedroom apartment costs about $ 900 per month to rent or $ 250,000 to buy. Cities are naturally more expensive, so choose carefully when deciding where to plant your roots in Canada. Small towns may offer fewer job opportunities, but there will also be less competition, less traffic, less noise, and more affordable housing.