<blockquote rel="catajell">Hi po! Subject to our migration visa (189), I received a positive migration assessment from ICAA. Now na plan ko po magregister sa CA program, required pa pala ako magstudy ng 2 core subjects na corporation law and taxation. Do you think po mas ok na magpaassess din ako sa CPAA kasi baka dumiretso nako agad sa professional level? If we compare the costs po kasi:
ICAA:
AUD 2,000 (1,000 x 2 subjects- core)
AUD 1,047 (349 membership fee x 3 years)
AUD 6,125 (1,225 x 5 subjects - professional)
TOTAL AUD 9,172
CPAA
AUD 160 (one-time assessment fee)
AUD 930 (310 membership fee x 3 years)
AUD 6,540 (1090 x 6 subjects - professional)
TOTAL AUD 7,630
Mas mababa ang costs sa CPAA provided na di na ako massubject sa foundation exam. Ang kaso lang, kailangan ko na naman halungkatin ang aking mga syllabus para sa assessment.
As for employment po, now, wala pa po ako work pero ang nakikita kong possible na employment ko ay sa audit firms since dun ang experience ko. Pero in the long run, I want to work in private.
Any thoughts/advice po is highly appreciated. TIA </blockquote>
Hi, it depends on your long term goals. Most likely kapag CPA Aus ang route mo professional level ka na. Most (if not all) of my excolleagues and junior staff in previous audit firm here in Singapore, and who worked previously in mid tier firm in Ph with around 3 years exp sa audit eh pumasa naman sa assessment ng CPAA and got the ASA (Associate membership), on which they are currently completing CPA exams na/ some already completed na.
Employers/ recruiters indicate naman CA/CPA sa mga jobsites so parang walang differences in terms of qualifications, besides its just a qualifications it is still you who can make difference in your career/ jobs and not your qualifications though it will open more doors/opportunities. Some of my friends/ex-colleagues proceed with CPA australia as it much easier route. Meaning, you can proceed with professional exams na agad. They have limited time kasi and doesn't need qualifications nman talaga to boost their career as they have years of experiences na din (public practice/commercial) and some were already managers. CPA Australia also have lots of members globally and good marketing/branding plus tie up with different organisations. While in CA, you need to study, took exams, the mentoring stage (i am not sure whether they will acknowledge my 9 years exp in audit firms as what CA/CPA canada did), there capstone thing. Pero both might take you 3-4 years din talaga to complete depends.
For me i will proceed with CA Australia route, but its my personal choice and self fulfillment na rin. I am not expecting too much impact sa career ko kahit makuha ko yung qualifications because its a different thing. I also sent my assessment (Oseas qualifications sa ICAA), and yes i need to take/study 2 subjects. Also, i emailed some Uni in Melbourne for the 2 subjects and the cheapest is Melbourne Ins of Technology which cost around 1850 aud per subject (to be completed in 1 trimester roughly 3 months). Some offer cloud/ online study like Deakin pero medyo mahal $3000+ per subject.
I like it mostly because of its alliance with GAA (including the AICPA - CPA US which only recognise CA Aus) and the Graduate Diploma degree. So if ever someday, just in case lang, sa US/Canada pala ang destiny ko eh madali magconvert dahil sa mutual agreement/ ties plus ma upgrade pa ng graduate diploma ung BS Accountancy ko sa PUP. Also, there is perceptions even in forums/ accountants sa Aussie na mas prestigious ang CA but ofcourse it is subjective. In additions, bihira lang ang pinoy na kilala kong CA, so parang gusto ko din yung iba din.
Bottom line, cost is my least concern as parehas lang naman silang mahal. Its for your future plans/ goals. You can work naman in commercial/ public practice whether you are CA or CPA.
Goodluck